February 19, 2015 WACAC Share, Learn and Connect What we Want to Know: The UC Personal Statement & First Generation College Students February 19, 2015 WACAC Share, Learn and Connect

Presented by: Hong Pham, Interim Director Early Academic Outreach Program hxpham@ucdavis.edu

Background Transfer student: SDSU BA, English (SDSU); MA, Higher Education Leadership (CSUS) UC Davis EAOP: 8 years Diverse students and families; 98% 1st generation Comprehensive Review/Holistic Review reader (7 years)

My Gifts Hand: Something that I do well Head: Something that I know a lot about Heart: Something that I am passionate about

Activity: Gift Exchange Introduce yourself to someone in the room. Share one of your gifts.

Goals & Objectives Understanding the role and use of the personal essay Tips for a strong personal statement Strategies to support students

The Challenge Guiding students to share context, leadership, and why their grit matters.

Purpose of the Personal Statement Opportunity to provide information that supports and adds to the review process – providing context for student achievement Helps readers know and understand applicants – content is key

Holistic Review Factors GPA (a-g courses) Exam scores (ACT with Writing, SAT Reasoning) # of a-g courses # honors, AP, IB courses ELC status Strength of senior year Context of academic performance

Holistic Review Factors Outstanding performance in a subject(s) Outstanding work in a special project in any academic field Recent, marked improvement Leadership, special skills/talents Completion of special projects within context of high school curriculum Context of academic achievement Location of high school/residence

UC Personal Statement Prompts Two questions Students respond to both questions. A maximum of 1,000 total for both prompts Students must stay within the word limit. Students choose length of each response. Shorter response should be at least 250 words.

Prompt #1 Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.  

Prompt #2 Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Three Tips for a Strong Personal Essay Go deep, not wide Focus on the path to victory Make this about you

All About You – Finding a Topic In general, the UC values: Demonstrations of leadership Team captain President/Vice President of a club or organization Lead in a major activity Leadership role in family Special skills/Talents Translating for family/community members Speech/debate winner National Merit Semi-Finalist Lead in a school play Winner of an art contest

All About You – Finding a Topic Students are encouraged to write about special circumstances that have influenced their educational experience: Topic areas 1st generation college student Refugee, immigrant experience Parental role in family Personal challenges beyond student control Contributions to the school (ROTC, club & community involvement)

Strategies for Students

Brainstorm List all activities you have been involved with. Does not need to be limited to what happened at school Your home and community are a part of who you are

Outline Introduction: I learned a lot from starting the first poetry club at my school I love poetry and wanted to share this Other people who like poetry People who are interested People who want to learn Etc What I did Convinced my English teacher to be the advisor Made signs to recruit members Etc... What I learned Lesson/Skill 1 Lesson/Skill 2 Lesson/Skill 3

Free Write I always wondered why everyone doesn’t love poetry the way that I do. Hmmm…maybe they are scared to admit it. There’s poetry everywhere – in music, greetings cards, books. I wanted to make a club so I can share this passion with other people, people who like it, people who are scared, people who are curious. I didn’t know where to start so I asked my favorite teacher. She said she was too busy, but I didn’t want to give up…

Accomplishment: Poetry Club Word Web Accomplishment: Poetry Club I love poetry No poetry club at my school Created the first poetry club at my school I shared my passion with others It enhanced my writing, leadership, and organizational skills because I practice them so much with myself and others.

General UC Tips Apply broadly! Describe your achievements and challenges Don’t wait until the last minute