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@Rish_sharma
2 answers, -4 votes
 • 2 years ago •
Admissions Advice

Is it recommended to write a PIQ about a topic other than your major?
Answered

Hello,

I am currently writing my PIQs, and 3/4 essays have something to do with my major: comp-sci. I have been thinking to write my final PIQ about another topic I am interested in rather than my major choice.

But this is where I am in sort of a dilemma, should I write all four PIQs about something relating to comp-sci and risk looking like a one-sided student?

Or should I write my final PIQ about another topic, and risk having my application looking weaker as that final essay is in no way related to my major?

PIQ
UniversityOfCalifornia
collegeessay
personalstatement
-1
7

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2 answers

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Accepted Answer
@Anonymous123
415 answers, 341 votes
 • 2 years ago

It really depends on what the essay prompt is.

If the question is open-ended, you should opt for some other topic. Part of it is because it makes you look one-sided, and part of it is because when you're writing 4 essays about the same thing, there's high chances of repetition, just using different words. Monotony in essays will likely bore the admissions officer(s) reviewing your application.

However, if you choose another topic, it not only breaks the monotony, but also reveals another aspect of you that might not be covered in the rest of the application.

Hope this helps!

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[🎤 AUTHOR]@Rish_sharma2 years ago [edited]

So I saw your comment about whether the prompt is open-ended or not. The prompt I'm thinking about writing this essay about is "6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom." Will answering this prompt with an essay about a topic other than my major weaken my application?

@Anonymous1232 years ago

This one asks for an academic subject, so it makes more sense if you write about CS. You can also write about a minor (if you're planning to take one). What are the other 3 prompts? If one of the other prompts is non-academic, you can swap a previously written essay with prompt 4 with some modifications.

[🎤 AUTHOR]@Rish_sharma2 years ago

So my first prompt was decribing a leaderip experience: here I walked about my job and how I had to teach special ed kids to code. My second one was a significant educational opportunity: here I walked about my involvement in the Cybersecurity competition club at my school, and what I learned from that. My third was how have you helped your community: Here I talked about getting an internship with a nonprofit creating a social media app to better the mental health of teens and reduce toxci

[🎤 AUTHOR]@Rish_sharma2 years ago

So basically all of my essays would be academic ( however the community service one has a large portion talking about my background and upbringing). Would putting what I'm writing about in the fourth essay as a minor prevent this essay from sticking out like a sore thumb?

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@Aja.Altenhof
42 answers, 36 votes
 • 2 years ago

Generally, different essay questions should address different facets of you and your application. It can get repetitive (and boring) to read the same material over and over. However, this doesn't mean you can't write about computer science (especially if it's a part of your application theme) but if you chose to do so, make sure you are examining your interest from different angles and perspectives. If you find yourself writing about the same thing in computer science, that's a good signal that it's time to change the topic.

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