With the University of California (UC) having recently abolished its SAT requirement, admissions officers will put great emphasis into an applicant’s personal and academic life.

 

Think of it this way: There are two students vying for the last spot in their chosen major. Both applicants have the same GPA, have scored well on their AP tests, and have an equal amount of extracurricular activities. Which student will the admissions committee likely select for the university? 

 

Personal statements offer admissions officers insight into each applicant’s life journey, into what motivates each university hopeful to pursue his or her goal. Through compelling stories, students will leave an impression to help differentiate themselves from other applicants competing for spots available to a select few. 

 

In our workshop, students will work through writing exercises designed to develop rhetorical strategies and narrative techniques essential to crafting a stellar admissions essay. They will familiarize themselves with the UC personal insight questions and draft their statements—statements which will not be shared in class. Furthermore, students enrolled in our workshop will have opportunities for one-on-one sessions with their writing instructor to better discuss their stories and their drafts.

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Our goal is simple: Help students stand out and achieve their academic goals.