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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
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SAT: 720 math
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Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Need help with UC Prompt 4?

Hey, fellow applicants! I'm currently working on my UC application and struggling with prompt 4. Any tips or advice on how to approach it and write a compelling essay? Your suggestions would be highly appreciated!

9 months ago

Hello! I'm glad you're seeking advice for UC Prompt 4. This prompt asks: "Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced."

To approach this prompt effectively, you can follow these steps:

1. Identify the opportunity or barrier: Begin by reflecting on an educational opportunity or a challenge you've faced that has significantly impacted you. Focus on experiences that showcase your perseverance, initiative, or determination.

Examples of opportunities: participating in a research project, attending a summer program, or gaining access to a unique class or extracurricular activity.

Examples of barriers: financial difficulties, language barriers, struggling with a learning disability, or adjusting to a new academic environment.

2. Share your personal story: Explain the circumstances that led you to the opportunity or barrier. Be specific about what it meant for you and how it related to your educational experience. This allows the admissions committee to understand the context of your situation and to see how it has shaped you.

3. Describe your actions: Explain what steps you took to seize the opportunity or overcome the challenge. Detail your thought process, the resources you employed, and any obstacles you encountered along the way. Discuss the skills you developed and how you persevered.

4. Reflect on the outcomes and growth: After discussing your actions, describe the outcomes and any personal growth that resulted from your experience. Consider how the opportunity or barrier has shaped your academic or personal trajectory as well as showcased your resilience, adaptability, or problem-solving skills. Discuss how this experience has influenced your goals, interests, or aspirations.

5. Connect to the present and future: Finally, describe how your experience with the opportunity or barrier has prepared you for success at a UC campus. Connect your essay to the university's academic, extracurricular, or social environment. Explain how you plan to continue pursuing these opportunities or overcoming such barriers in college and how the UC system can support and contribute to your goals.

For more in-depth advice on tackling UC PIQ #4, and all the other PIQs, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-california-essays

Remember to be genuine and focus on your personal story. By showcasing your actions, resilience, and enthusiasm for learning, you'll effectively demonstrate your fit for the UC system. Good luck with your essay!

9 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.