My UC Essays

HEY HEY I applied to 4 UCs with these essays; I got accepted into UCR, UCI, and UCSD--- but rejected from UCLA. I had my friends and also a college student read over and give me feedback. I personally started brainstorming and writing these essays during the summer; you can look up the UC questions online and find it on the main website. The questions never change, so it's wiser to look over them EARLY when you have time so you don't rush and stress during school. I made many rough drafts of these, and it was hard to think of what to write about, but eventually I had ideas.

You only have to choose 4 out of the 8 total questions that they give you, so choose what mostly resonates with you. Even if it has a 350 word count limit, I would advise that you just write your heart out, and then later go back and cut it down. Trying to write inside a limit is too restricting.

I stg if you even think about copying these, think again. Not only will I hunt you down, your ass is gonna get clapped by the schools. So just get inspiration from these; I posted these to help you, not for you to steal.

Here are mine:

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Things to consider: Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can’t get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom — such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs — and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

I don’t know why 7th grade English was the hardest class that I ever had...but my love for writing began there.

I was not perfect with writing right off the bat...I had no idea what an essay even was!

The teacher scared me and I thought she hated my cringey writing, but somehow, I did something right in my essays. She even thought my poems were good enough to be entered into the Young Authors Celebration contest. Huh?? Maybe it was the praise and support I got for my writing, but I began to love and look forward to it.

I will never ever forget how my 8th grade teacher stopped me at her door, and told me that she teared up reading my narrative story. She genuinely enjoyed my work. How cool is it for someone to say that they felt sad or happy reading something you created?? That means that I was able to communicate emotions and paint scenes that they could feel. It meant my work actually meant something, not just words on a page.

Over the years I continued to write short poems in my journal. Eventually this evolved into writing my own songs, and making my own music. It’s never easy to talk about feelings, but when I put them into a poem or a song, I can communicate them to my friends. With this “power” I hope to let them know that they are not alone, and that the people around me mean a lot.

This year, I was also able to get into a Creative Writing class. After years of writing “serious” essays, it feels so rewarding to write crazy imaginary stories I make up in my head again. No rules or guidelines.

English is a challenging but truly entertaining class for me. I learned so much about what I can communicate and express, and the support I get motivates me to keep writing.

It helps me feel free and let go of what I carry deep within me.

2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

I grew up being the kid who traced art and claimed it as their own.

I would put my IPad brightness to 100, and place a paper over to trace art made by other artists. I got mad if someone "accused" me of tracing.

A certain type of guilt comes with lying to your family and friends. I felt like a fraud when I got requests...How could I draw their face if there were no drawings online that I could trace?

When I started creating my own designs and songs, I realized what the saying: “good artists copy, great artists steal,” meant.

As I got older I challenged myself to stop tracing and to just try. Sure, I was still "copying," but I realized that I was more than capable of drawing. I felt excitement and relief that I was no longer a “fraud.”I was partially grateful that I started out tracing because it helped me to understand certain curves, shapes, and colors.

When I started to get into graphic design, I learned how everyone developing their own styles "steal" parts of artworks that intrigue them, and create a mix of styles.

When I started making my own music this year, I connected how people take inspiration from others the same way people do with art; I listen to the chords or beats or tones in the songs I love, and I try to take these small features and add them into my own unique music.

I still need to use many references, but I'm more confident in what I do.

I know what I am capable of and I am improving. I am passionate about being creative with my work. When I write my songs I think about how people describe their feelings. When I am drawing something I think about what styles that I admire and want to incorporate.

When I'm creating, I no longer copy others.

I steal what I want from things I enjoy, and create it as my own.

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that’s geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you — just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you’ve faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today?

My 4th grade awards assembly marks the first time I truly felt and realized the importance of achievement.

My face was hot with embarrassment, as I held my tears in as the other kids ran to their parents with “Citizenship” and “Honor Roll” awards. Holding my one “Perfect Attendance” award in my hands, I weaved through the crowd and found my grandma. I felt ashamed. I thought she would be disappointed in me, but she did something that made me choke up even more. She just smiled and hugged me.

That day she taught me that when things don’t work out, I always have a chance to work harder.

I didn’t want to feel like a failure. I didn’t want to be looked down on by my group of “smart” friends.

Before, I honestly never saw the point, or really thought about the importance of grades or doing well. If something was difficult I just brushed it off to the side. What pushed me to get more serious and improve my grades was that feeling of earning nothing. I hated that sad gut feeling of shame.

I had to learn how to stop pulling all nighters to finish assignments that I procrastinated on. I had to put in more effort in subjects like math that I cried over. I had to balance the times I wanted to have fun with schoolwork. I had to learn how to stop being afraid to ask for help.

The support of my family and friends, and of course, my effort, eventually brought me to a place where I began to be praised by my teachers, and I was earning the recognition that I wanted to show my grandparents.

I may have only gained one award at my 4th grade awards assembly, but I was able to walk away with the motivation and determination that would help me grow stronger and be the student I am today.

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place — like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?

Every Sunday since I was just a small little six year old kid, I watched the coolest high schoolers on the church’s youth ministry praise team sing and play instruments on stage. I grew up watching them until they convinced me to join the backup vocals in 7th grade.

The praise team disbanded after the pastor and the members left, so I moved to the adult ministry praise team to play the bass for a year. Deep down I carried this guilt that I was avoiding my duty in the Youth ministry. The church taught me how to play the guitar and bass for a reason, that being that they were depending on me to step up.

Kids were growing up thinking praise at church meant watching a lyric video. There was no one that they could look up to. I was afraid to perform in front of them, alone...I was used to hiding behind the team.

But, as I continued to be given opportunities to showcase my skills with singing and playing the guitar, I slowly became more confident. That guilt reminded and pushed me to go back to the Youth ministry and leave an example. It didn’t matter if I was alone...this was my chance to inspire those kids just like how I was inspired. I even got some teens to join me! Parents were thrilled to have their kids showcase their skills with instruments, and I helped them to feel less embarrassed when I performed with them.

My experience in the praise team made me realize that offering your time and care means understanding and acknowledging the love a community has given to you. My care and actions leave a lasting impression on the younger generation, who look up to older teens for guidance as they grow.

When I perform, I always hope that I am inspiring people, and I hope they are aspiring to be a leader and help others in their future, too.