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Successful UC Berkeley Essays

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UC PIQ: What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? | Sabria

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?  Overtime, I learned that Armani wants to be spoken to as…...

UC PIQ: Think about an academic subject that inspires you | Sabria

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.  It was not until…...

UC PIQ: Describe an example of your leadership experience | Sabria

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.  Junior…...

UC PIQ: What do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? | Tevin

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the

UC PIQ: What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?  | Tevin

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?   “It’s near impossible, your seniors have tried”, I was told. Zhengyang…...

UC PIQ: Describe an example of your leadership experience | Tevin

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Planning…...

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How I got in: 2 college students share the essays that got them into University of California, Berkeley

• Personal essays are a crucial part of college admissions and are often one of the best ways students can stand out in a crowded applicant field where acceptance is increasingly dictated by numbers and test scores.
• No two essays are the same, and it can be difficult to determine what specific colleges and universities want out of their essays.
• To shed some light on this process, Insider is reaching out to students all around the world and asking them to share the essay that got them into college.
• The week, Insider spoke to a senior and a sophomore at UC Berkeley who shared their success stories.
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

The dreaded college essay. For many high school seniors, those few hundred words can manifest into an unyielding sense of existential, unwavering angst. They might seem daunting, but these few paragraphs often present one of the best opportunities for students to write honestly and express themselves in a college application process dominated by standardized tests, high school transcripts, and other numbers first metrics.

Knowing what to write about, or how to write it, can be challenging. Luckily, millions of other students have already gone through the process. To shed some much-needed light on what types of essays work for which schools, Insider is reaching out to students from all around the world and publishing the essays that got them into their dream schools. This week, Insider took a look at the University of California at Berkeley.

UC Berkeley is the most competitive public school in the United States 

UC Berkeley is one of nine schools that fall under the "University of California" umbrella. While many of the UC schools are competitive, none are more difficult to get into than the Berkeley location. According to data released by the school , just over 89,000 students applied last year and only 13,558 were offered admissions — an acceptance rate of 15.1%. 

The California university consistently appears listed next to other "elite" schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Princeton but it differs from these competitors in one key area: UC Berkeley is a public school. The school is also massive, with just about 42,000 undergraduates and over 350 degree programs. 

In addition to an application,  high school transcript, and standardized test scores, first-year applicants are presented with eight "personal insight questions." Students answer four of these and each are around 350 words long. A full listing of the prompts used for the 2018-2019 admissions cycle can be viewed here. 

Insider reviewed over half a dozen admissions essays from current UC Berkeley students. While their exact answers differed depending on the questions they answered and their own writing style, all of them tended to focus in on personal experiences. The best essays Insider reviewed showed off the students' writing chops and gave the reader a quick glimpse into the applicant's mind. 

Here's one of the essay questions prospective Berkeley students are asked to answer. 

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?

In his vivid response, UC Berkeley senior Robbie Li used the space to revisit his time as a foreign exchange student at St. Andrew's High School in Austin, Texas. (Robbie is an international student from Shanghai, China.)

I kept trembling; the thirty-second-long standing ovation overwhelmed me. I stepped up to the front of the stage, took a bow towards the chapel full of students and teachers, and felt incredibly relieved and proud. Speaking out the hard truth about a community I so loved was no easy task, but I was glad that I made it through.

  Two months before my exchange year ended at St. Andrew's, the upper school chaplain came to me and invited me to deliver a senior homily during a chapel service. "We all would love to hear your perspective," he said. What an honor. I agreed immediately, promising him a good talk and gave him a big smile. However, when I started to craft my ten-minute script, I fell into utter bewilderment. 

It was not that I had nothing to say about this community; a year's observation gave me more than enough material. I knew I wanted to direct people's attention to the issue of inclusion, telling them how grueling my first few months were as a newcomer, and encouraging them to open up their worlds for the next new kid on campus. But I had a huge concern – the topic was so drenched with personal feelings that it might come off as a cacophonous accusation, one of those I-was-struggling-but-no-one-cared complaints. I did have a difficult time at the beginning, but it was nobody's fault. I would hate to see my friends take upon themselves for the institutionalized indifference; I would hate to see them suffer.

I could always turn to safer and easier topics - talk about Texan stereotypes, for instance. Such analysis from the standpoint of a foreign student would definitely bring sensational amusement. A love letter to football would work as well; everyone loves football here in Austin. I gave both topics a try, but the more I wrote, the more I felt the urge to go back to the discussion over inclusion. "What the community needed to hear must be said," I decided. Never shall I let myself choose what is safe over what is important. I had to be audacious in the face of such a decision, even if it meant coming across as reckless to the entire school. 

In my speech, I poured my heart out. I talked about the agony of being left alone on campus in September, the joy of being surprisingly coronated homecoming prince that same month, and most importantly, the profound confusion in between. I said I really wondered why a community as friendly as St. Andrew's could make a person feel so isolated at one point. I proposed that we make a difference together and make our friendliness more explicit. After all, no one should feel deserted.

The speech was a success. Compliments and applause and hugs enveloped me, but those were not my biggest takeaways. What defined this experience was the risk I took in hope of prompting a positive change. It felt great because I was brave.

In another essay question, UC Berkeley provided students with space to respond to a more open-ended question. 

"Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?"

By specifically including the words "beyond what has already been shared in your application," this essay asks the student to write more personally about themselves. Questions framed like this allow students the ability to describe a part of themselves that might not be fully captured by the typical dehumanizing application process. 

UC Berkeley electrical engineering, computer science, and economics sophomore Fuzail Shakir decided to tell a brief, but honest essay questioning what it means to be part of a community. 

I look around at my room, dimly lit by a yellow light. On the table in the corner, buried under a jumble of physics textbooks and notes, was a picture of a beaming Indian family of four standing in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. Tacked up on the board were an array of pamphlets from American colleges. On the opposite wall was a poster of Muhammad Ali standing over a knocked-out Sonny Liston after the infamous "anchor punch," the crowd stunned to silence. 

My mom shouted something incoherent, followed by a quick translation into English. Yes, I am an Indian who does not know Hindi. What else would you expect? I have lived my whole life in Saudi Arabia, visited more cities in the USA than India, and have studied in an American school, surrounded by American teachers and American friends. 

Am I Indian, Saudi, or American?

A few years ago, I would have said none. And yet, standing in line for Saudi customs in the "Foreign Passports" section was puzzling. I felt out of place. 

Deep down, I feared being stuck with that label, carrying it around wherever I went: "Foreigner". 

Today I still answer, none. I choose not to be defined by where I live or what passport I have or what language I speak. I choose to embrace the ambiguity as who I am.

Take a look at my room. The farrago of cultures embodies obscurity and characterizes my international life, and I have learned to embrace it. That is who I am: a distinctive viewpoint — an amalgamation of thoughts and ideas, a "melting pot", if you will, of cultures from around the world. That's the community to which I belong: those who don't fit in. 

Did your college essay help you snag a spot at your dream school? If so, we'd love to hear about it. Email this reporter at mdegeurin@businessinsider to discuss sharing your story.

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How to Write the UC Berkeley/University of California Application Essays 2016-2017

Check out the university of california application essays for 2017-2018.

The University of California system is comprised of ten public research universities all over California, from San Diego to Berkeley. UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara are all ranked in the top 75 national universities.

The flagship institution, UC Berkeley, is the oldest institution of the University of California universities, all of which are public research universities. With over 38,000 students, Berkeley is an academic powerhouse in a wide range of fields, and currently ranks fourth on U.S. News’ Best Global Universities list for its worldwide reputation.

In addition, it is consistently ranked among the very top of public universities. It is particularly well known in science and especially chemistry, claiming 16 of the periodic table’s elements (including number 97, the eponymous Berkelium) and 72 Nobel Prizes.

Berkeley’s 106 bachelor’s majors are offered across 7 colleges and schools, and the most popular majors are Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Political Science, Molecular and Cell Biology, Environmental Science, and Economics.

The campus is located in beautiful northern California, and encompasses 1232 acres, though only about 178 are occupied by the central campus (the rest include various laboratories and institutes, museums, an 800-acre ecological preserve, and a botanical garden). Berkeley is known to have a diverse student body as well and holds a long-standing sports rivalry with Stanford.

For the entering class of 2016, Berkeley received 82,539 applications and admitted 12,226 for an admission rate of 14.8%. Its admissions rate has been steadily declining over the past five years.

The University of California system has just developed a new set of eight application prompts, from which you choose four. Each essay has a maximum of 350 words. Fortunately for you, these prompts come with some questions to get you started in your brainstorming!

The University of California Application Essay Prompts

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking lead role in organizing an event or project.

Think about your accomplishments and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities? Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church in your community, or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?

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?

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?  

Things to consider: If there’s a talent or skill that you’re proud of, this is the time to share it. You don’t necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about, feel free to do so).

Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you? Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities inside or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?

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 are you today?

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you’re currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, “How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends, or with my family?”

 Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.

Things to consider: Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom — such as volunteer work, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or activities — and what you have gained from your involvement. Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)?

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?

What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?

Things to consider: Don’t be afraid to brag a little. Even if you don’t think you’re unique, you are — remember, there’s only one of you in the world. From your point of view, what do you feel makes you belong on one of UC’s campuses? When looking at your life, what does a stranger need to understand in order to know you? What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge, or opportunity that you think will help us know you better? We’re not necessarily looking for what makes you unique compared to others, but what makes you, YOU.

When choosing your four prompts, keep in mind that you will want to cover a very broad range in your four essays.

If you find yourself repeating topics in a couple of the essays, you may want to diversify. For example, if you are writing an essay for the fourth prompt about an educational barrier, and also one for the fifth prompt about overcoming a significant challenge, make sure that the essays are different from each other. You want to say as much as you can about yourself, and you only have a total of 1400 words to do so, so don’t waste precious words repeating yourself!

Also, don’t necessarily start drafting ideas until you’ve thought about all of the prompts. Do any of these questions provoke an immediate, strong response from you? If yes, then definitely write about those. However, it is likely that you will not have immediate responses to four of the prompts, and that is perfectly fine. You can also approach the process from the opposite direction — what topics are important to you, and how can you use those topics as responses to some of these questions?

In general, remember that the UC system wants to see you as a real person. Think about what makes you special, use your own voice, and tell your own story! 

Check out our blog post The Ultimate Guide to Applying to the University of California to get a comprehensive understanding of how to apply to the UC system.

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It’s a fact: UC Berkeley is one of the most competitive schools in the world, and top tier in California. The school boasts Nobel laureates and ground-breaking research in many fields, and is considered by many to even be the #1 public university in the world. In this article, let’s talk about the UC Berkeley essays.

Why Berkeley?

Beyond the classroom, the vibrant Bay Area community in close proximity to other top universities and the Silicon Valley make this campus a very attractive option for young scholars looking for a launchpad into their future. With all these resources on the table, it’s no surprise the admissions readers must be picky.

Here’s the good news: the entire University of California state school system evaluates applicants holistically, which means that your personal character is one of the most important deciding factors. Demonstrating your drive, commitment, and work ethic are key.

Where can I learn more about the UC Berkeley application?

If you’d like to read through tips directly from Berkeley’s application website, be sure to read up on how they describe the purpose of the Personal Insight Questions here . The Berkeley website will have the most updated official news and published guidelines. It will give you a clearer picture on the qualities they are searching for in competitive applicants.

Where can I learn more about the UC Berkeley essays?

Additionally, you can review tips for how to approach the questions (and technical details like word limits) on this page here . By providing so much contest and support for students approaching these short essays, you can already tell that they’re not trying to trick you– they just want to understand your mind better.  

Sounds easy, right? Well, not so much. Many highly-intelligent and talented scholars aren’t good writers, which means they can’t demonstrate their full potential on paper. We’re here to support you and make sure you put your best foot forward.

Take the plunge

• You only need to pick four (4) out of the eight (8) essay prompts to answer. They specifically state that all questions are weighted equally, so pick the ones that speak to you most.  
• Be authentic and think about your goals. The UC Berkeley readers care about what you want to do with your education after you graduate. 
• Emphasize your desire for knowledge. At such a big campus, you have to be willing to pursue your interests and find resources to help you learn. There isn’t a lot of hand-holding here. 
• Stay on-track. With any essay prompts, you have to stick to the point; but with only 350 words per response, these essays must be particularly succinct to convey your point. 
• Branch outside the resume. Options for leadership include being a good role model, considering the underdog, and other unsuspecting moments of personal growth and leadership. Try to think of moments you really noticed meaningful insight in your life.

Think Critically

Here are two of the prompts broken down with a little more detail. Take this kind of thinking and analysis to each prompt and you’re well on your way to becoming part of the next class of Golden Bears! 

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.

Every applicant has lived through unique experiences in their life and sometimes these moments leave a lasting imprint. Focus on a moment or two or a trend between experiences that have contributed to your goals for the future. Keep in mind that the message can complement the next prompt by explaining the motivations behind your passions. This question requires reflection of the past that serves as the rationale for your aspirations.

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?

This is a great place to connect your goals for the future to a specific moment or an approach you have. Either way, the reader will need to see an explanation that connects your career/life goals to your observations. What moments directly contributed to your vision and what problems do you hope to address?

You’ve got this. And once you’ve got some ideas, reach out to the Empowerly team to ask about our essay writing support services! From completely digital access to our Essay Editor team, to working with a coach to discuss and brainstorm your writing, we have resources to help. As well as an entire database of previously accepted essays for you to browse, we know what actually helps students produce a successful personal statement and well-rounded application! Good luck with those UC Berkeley essays. You can do it.

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UC Berkeley Essays That Worked

Successful UC Berkeley Admissions Essay: Intro

So, you want to get into one of the top public schools in the United States: UC Berkeley.

Of course, getting in means having strong essays that will beat out the rest of the competition. If you’re looking for a solid UC Berkeley essay that worked, look no further. Here in this article, we will cover a successful application essay to Berkeley. But first, how do you know that our sample essay is better than others?

Well, this essay actually helped our applicant get into Berkeley with lower scores than average. This usually goes for all of our other admissions essays, which you can find here , here , here , and here .

Let’s see how our applicant’s scores were compared to the competition.

Professional College Application Help.

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Successful Berkeley Applicant Scores

• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 660
• SAT Mathematics: 660
• SAT Essay: 17
• AP Courses: None

UC Berkeley Freshman Admission Profile.

You can check out more information on their admission profile through the University of California website . With that said, consider this. Her marks are significantly lower than those of the average applicant’s

As you can see, a good admissions essay makes a huge difference.

In fact, a strong set of UC PIQs can compensate for a low GPA or SAT/ACT scores. There are countless reasons why strong PIQ essays help you stand out from the rest of the competition. And, we’ve covered this more in-depth “here” .

We attribute this article’s essay’s success to two things:

• Being well-written enough to make up for her lower scores
• A strong essay topic that demonstrated she was more capable than the average applicant.

UC Berkeley Essays That Worked: Sample Essay

“My local library hosts graphic novel contests annually, and about a year ago, I took second place. It was a memorable experience for me, as the contest provided an opportunity for me to showcase one of my passions: art. I have been interested in art for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I looked at the world through aesthetic lenses, from deciphering the patterns and colors of my mother’s flower garden to sitting in class and transforming my classmates into lines and shades in my notebook. Over the years, coursework and extracurriculars left me with dwindling time to draw, but my passion for it as a hobby wasn’t subdued. Throughout high school, I was far from confident or talkative, but art has opened many opportunities for me to collaborate with others and reach out to people with the same interests. My artistic ability is a quality that I am very proud of and will strive to develop here and in the future. My curiosity for the arts started at a young age. I remember doodling nonsensical illustrations in my mother’s cookbook and asking her to draw stick figures for me. In 5th grade, my friend lent me a comic book, filled with illustrations that sparked my journey into drawing.  From then on, I spent my days and nights cramming in as many illustrations as I could. Something about creating a work of art from my own hands fascinated me. I found a home in art, not only within myself but with others as well. I was a meek child, one of those kids people called “quiet” and “shy” in class. However, immersing myself in art helped me to open up and develop social skills, slowly bringing me out of my shell. I started to sell my illustrations as well as do custom requests. This taught me to develop business skills and learn how to talk with others.  I also took my hobby online: I shared my work on online communities, gaining an audience of fellow artist friends who encouraged me to continue to create. The sociality I lacked in school, I gained in the form of friends on the internet. I continued to branch out, eventually doing freelance work in an online manga label with a group of other artists. It was an incredibly rewarding and unique experience for me. Working with others not only gave me a space to express my thoughts and passions; it also taught me to effectively handle deadlines and disagreements. Through this, I learned that not everyone has the same reasoning and ideas, and collaboration and working together is crucial for success. Lastly, art has also taught me balance, as above being an artist, I was a student. Through this hobby, I learned to allocate my time properly between the too.            I’ve been drawing for almost a decade, but never in my life did I think my passion would  become a catalyst for me to establish qualities important for my future. Art brought others to me, thus allowing me to interact with them and develop the skills I needed to talk to people. Because I desired to share my work and improve my talent, I gained new friends and joined a group where I can showcase my creations and gain an understanding of what it’s like to work with others with the same interests, but varying ideas. I don’t wish to pursue art as a main career. However, it is still just as precious to me. Ultimately for me, I did not only create art, I created skills and qualities in me that prove useful to me way past the realm of lines and colors on paper.” Example UC Berkeley Essay That Worked –PenningPapers

Here are a few things to consider about our successful UC Berkeley essays that worked.

Note that these variables aren’t always required in every essay. Each essay is different, and unique to everyone’s circumstances. But, these are all variables we noticed had worked for other essays.

• Declaring a Future Major: Declaring a major can significantly improve your admissions chances. Our applicant mentioned in the first paragraph why they’re passionate about pursuing art. Additionally, they showed how they were competent in their field. However, you should note that it’s not mandatory to declare your major. You can still write a solid UCB essay without having to say you know exactly what your major is. After all, most students are not aware of what they want to do with their careers in the future. Nonetheless, whether you decide to show whether you know your major or not, you should establish certainty. Students who don’t know their major can still show that they’re certain about their future and not wandering in the dark. They would need to mention the steps they’re taking to learn more about what they want to pursue, or the kinds of fields they may show interest in without having to dedicate quite yet.
• Awards or Victories: Our applicant demonstrated that they were competent in their desired field through their success in awards. Awards show admissions officers the applicant isn’t just competent but also beats the rest of the competition. Any awards you earn are a fantastic way of standing out to top universities. Now, this is not to say winning awards is mandatory. Victories outside of competitive spheres can also demonstrate your strength. You just need to know how to articulate your growth and positive attributes to admissions officers correctly.
• Exponential Growth: This application makes very clear the exponential personal growth that the student has made over time. She was talented in art but struggled with socializing. She elaborates on improving her social skills through her art, showing she can overcome obstacles despite imperfections.

One critical point to make is the lack of depth in imagery. This essay isn’t as profoundly deep in imagery and detail as it could be. Additionally, imagery is best placed at the beginning of the essay. This helps admissions officers see your writing prowess and details early on.

Nonetheless, having deeper imagery in the introduction and body paragraphs would have given the admissions essay even more weight.

Have questions about our successful UC Berkeley essays that worked? Or, perhaps you wish to get accepted into Berkeley without stellar extracurriculars, GPA, and SAT/ACT scores. Talk with us to have expert admissions advice and consulting to optimize your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Hey y'all! I'm aiming for UC Berkeley and I was wondering if there's a place where I can find successful essays from students who got accepted? I'd love to read some examples of essays that worked to get a better idea of what they're looking for in applicants. Any help would be appreciated!

Hi there! It's great that you're looking for successful UC Berkeley essays for inspiration and guidance. You may want to check out some essay compilation books, like "50 Successful University of California Application Essays" or "Heavenly Essays: 50 Narrative College Application Essays That Worked."

While these books include essays from various UC schools, including Berkeley, they can give you a sense of what successful applicants have written about in the past. Keep in mind that different people resonate with different stories, so it's essential to find a writing style and topic that reflects your authentic voice.

Additionally, you can visit UC Berkeley's website for details about their application process and any specific essay guidance they provide. They may not share actual essays, but they typically give valuable insight into what they're looking for in an essay.

Finally, check out this CollegeVine article with 12 real UC essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/university-of-california-essay-examples

Also check out this guide to writing the UC essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-california-essays

A wise approach for your essay is to focus on your passion, personal experiences, and unique perspectives. Emphasizing your individuality and demonstrating how your experiences and growth would benefit the university and contribute to its mission will help you stand out among fellow applicants.

Don't hesitate to seek feedback from teachers, friends, or family members to ensure that your essay is engaging, authentic, and well-written. Getting input from others can help you refine your writing and strengthen your application.

Good luck with your essay and application! Be confident in your writing and remain true to yourself.

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.

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A Comprehensive Guide to UC Berkeley Essays this 2024

By Eric Eng

The University of California (UC) school system is one of the prestigious state university systems in the United States. It includes nine undergraduate universities: UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Merced, and UC Irvine.

The University of California system has its own application portal. All nine universities use one application, so it is more convenient for students to simultaneously apply to multiple UC campuses. Based on last year’s statistics, UC Berkeley has an overall acceptance rate of 9.3%. 

In this blog, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the UC Berkeley essays including UC Berkeley essay prompts, and answer all your UC application questions , to hello you nail your application.

What is UC Berkeley’s Acceptance Rate?

Based on the previous years, the average acceptance rate at UC Berkeley is 11.4%, making it very competitive. However, one needs to note that the acceptance rate is not only a mark of the competitiveness of a school but also of its popularity. If you want to get into prestigious schools like UC Berkeley, you’re going to have to do amazingly well in almost every major college application factor.

UC Berkeley does not offer early action or early decision. The number of in-state students applying for admission to the Fall 2023 semester reached a record high. The admission rate for the University of California Berkeley has been spiraling down year by year, partly due to the steep rise in the number of applicants. With a rising number of students applying , it has become hard to get into.

GPA Requirements at UC Berkeley

You will likely need to be in the top 10% of graduates of your batch with a high GPA to be admitted into UC Berkeley. Anything less will need to be compensated through relevant extracurriculars and UC Berkeley essays.

You’re probably going to have to take higher-level classes like AP and IB classes if you want to be competitive for Berkeley. UC Berkeley describes how it calculates weighted GPA. UC Berkeley’s website indicates that it does so using 10th and 11th-grade UC-approved courses only. Every semester of coursework completed in an honors-level course adds an extra point when computing your weighted GPA.

UC Berkeley is considered “Test Free” which means that the SAT/ACT scores do not factor in anywhere within the UC Berkeley application process. Although SAT/ACT scores will not affect admission decisions, Berkeley will consider them for placement or subject credit in the case of admission. Berkeley also accepts optional subject test scores as a value-added piece in the review process, which enables students to show advanced proficiency in specific academic subjects. Check out their website to learn more about the recent changes regarding the Berkeley Testing Policy.

Why are UC Berkeley Supplemental Essays Important?

UC’s Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) or commonly known as UC Berkeley supplemental essays have become integral to their application system, which only happened recently in relation to the United States standardized testing policy. 

It wasn’t until May 2020, with the pandemic affecting the educational system of the US that the UC Board of Regents voted to make all their universities test-optional for students applying for Fall 2021 and Fall 2022.

To general surprise, the UC system which receives more than a quarter-million applicants annually decided it would go “test-blind” moving forward, despite internal data finding that test scores do help in predicting undergraduate achievement. This means that none of the nine schools listed above will look at an applicant’s SAT or ACT score anymore. So what’s the takeaway here, for you, an aspiring UC applicant? Simple: UC Berkeley essays matter now more than ever. Your writing will be your main chance to prove yourself worthy of being accepted to any of the UC institutions.

What Does UC Berkeley Want in Applicants?

If you’re an aspiring UC Berkeley student, keep in mind that while competitive grades are important, UC Berkeley essays should be able to show more than simply academic achievements. Most importantly, they should highlight how you are going to make an active contribution to the Berkeley community. The question now is, how will you know that you can contribute to the Berkeley community?

First, read up on the Berkeley mission, history, and principles . Go through UC’s mission statement, Berkeley’s principles of community, and discussions that the school has on leadership. Notice how leadership, authenticity, and innovation are the recurring themes. UC Berkeley essays often reflect the university’s search for students not just passionate about solving global problems, but also committed to making a difference that will matter for generations to come. They want students to “contribute even more than California’s gold to the glory and happiness of advancing generations.”

How do you think you’ll fit into this mission and these values? What is your story that indicates that you have worked toward these things and that Berkeley is the place for you to take the next step? How are you and the Berkeley community going to explore new ideas, ask thought-provoking questions, and strive to improve the world?

How to Answer UC Berkeley Essays?

What is different about the UC Berkeley essays from other college essays, is that UC outright prefer factual responses.

Since you should still plan to write with attention to syntax and style, the UC is most interested in information versus style. You will not have to worry about an interesting hook, thoughtful metaphors, or a high level of descriptive language. Focus instead on measurable contributions, if you can, and their impact both on you and others. For example, if you were able to develop a simple app or innovative tool that you use at home, explain why you created it, and how, and if possible, include how many people use it and why. Put it as simply and clearly as possible.

Remember, UC admission officers are reading pretty fast, and you want to get your message across effectively. Also, keep in mind that every UC PIQ response should not be more than 350 words, and you have to consistently meet this word count across all prompts.

What are the UC Berkeley Essay Prompts?

In this section, we will provide you with a rundown of all the UC Berkeley essay questions as well as a deep dive into how to answer them efficiently.

UC Essay Prompt #1

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

The concept of leadership is open and expansive– you can stretch out its definition. This definition doesn’t necessarily have to come in the essay itself—though, if you have a more reflective structure, it certainly might. UC Berkeley essays often encourage applicants to explore different facets of leadership, such as ‘being a positive role model,’ ‘encouraging others to take risks,’ and ’embracing challenges as a leader.’

The leadership role can mean more than the title itself. This can mean you became a mentor for someone, took charge of a school organization, or led an event or project. UC Berkeley essays provide an opportunity to reflect on what you did and what you learned from these experiences. What were your responsibilities? What challenges did you overcome?

Other questions worth noting are the following: Did you help manage a team? How did that experience change your perspective about leading others? Did you help resolve an important dispute at your school, community, or organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? Do you volunteer at the local youth center?

Applicants should share one small story here to illustrate their leadership. Rather than telling the UC admissions committee what great leaders they are, they can show it through their specific examples. It’s not required for it to be a picture-perfect illustration of leadership—it can be one that was faced with a difficult situation and what they learned from that experience to become better leaders.

UC Essay Prompt #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.

This prompt asks about one specific thing—creativity—but gives you the liberty to define it for yourself. I n UC Berkeley essays, you can opt to look at creativity as a special problem-solving skill, innovative thinking, or its basic essence: artistic expression. This broad definition of creativity does something rather nice: it allows you to determine how much of your personal life versus your academic life you want to write about.

With that said, because this prompt is so open, it is important to establish a focus early on. Try to think about what is missing from your application. If you’re worried about your application making you sound overly academic, use this prompt to show how you have fun. If you’re concerned that your application is making you seem like one of those kids who gets good grades just because you have a good memory, this is your chance to flex your problem-solving muscle.

Remember, too, that you don’t need to describe any skill in creative pursuits when answering this prompt. The question asks how you express your ‘creative side,’ which focuses on creative instinct, not creative talent. Some examples could be: if you love mathematics, you can write about a time when you devised a new way of proving theorems. If you’re fond of writing, you can talk about a time when you came up with a new idea for a short story featuring modern-day gods and goddesses and how they acclimate in the 21st century. Or if you’re deep into philosophy, maybe write about how different philosophers could solve one present-day issue—for example, climate change. How would Aristotle approach it? Or Kant, for example?

Some meaningful points of discussion for UC Berkeley essays could include the following: How can your creativity best be used? What is one creative ability of yours that is particularly meaningful, and how have you brought it into play? If you used creativity in solving a problem, what did your solution look like? How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside class? Does your creativity relate to your major or to a future career?

UC Essay Prompt #3

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

This is the time to crow a little. If there is a talent or skill of which you are proud, UC Berkeley essays provide the perfect opportunity to share it. You do not necessarily have to have received recognition for it—but the important part is to answer or show why this talent or skill is meaningful to you.

Do you feel like this talent is naturally given, or do you work hard to keep this skill or talent? If so, does it give you an opening either inside the classroom or outside the classroom? If yes, what are they, and how do they fit into your schedule? These are the types of reflections that UC Berkeley essays often encourage.

Some students have more obvious talents and skills than others. For example, if you intend to be a college athlete, it would make sense to see your skill at your sport as your greatest talent. Meanwhile, if you are being accepted into a highly selective music performance program, opera singing might be your greatest talent. UC Berkeley essays challenge you to use such obvious skills to explore your personality, values, motivations, and ambitions.

The key to writing a convincing essay about an obvious skill is using that skill to explore your personality, values, motivations, and ambitions. Begin by thinking about what first drew you to your specialization. Was there a specific person or childhood memory? What was that process like? What do these experiences say about you? Next, think about how your relationship with your talent has evolved. Have you ever doubted your devotion? Ever wondered if you are good enough? Why do you keep going? On the other hand, is your talent your comfort—the stable thing in your life? Why do you need that?

The key is to clarify the reasons for engaging in this activity with all one’s time worth—and how these personality strengths are visible through the relationship with the activity.

If you’re not confident enough in sharing your talent, you might try thinking about your personal traits that could be seen as a talent or skill: negotiation skills, the ability to make a joke or lighten a situation in painful times, and organizational skills.

UC Essay Prompt #4

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

For this prompt, an educational opportunity can be anything that adds value to your educational experience and better prepares you for college. This may include participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy focusing on an occupation or major with advanced courses in subjects of interest. UC Berkeley essays provide a platform to showcase how such opportunities have shaped your journey.

If you write about the educational barriers you have faced, how have you overcome or striven to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call upon to enable you to rise above the challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? These are critical reflections that UC Berkeley essays encourage you to explore.

The phrase ‘taken advantage of’ implies that the admissions committee wishes to see students who take initiative. For example, are you a student who has been in an after-school, career-advancement program since middle school? You may write about why you chose to do so. Or perhaps you struggled in a particular subject and didn’t want to fall behind because you had sights on getting into the National Junior Honor Society? Or maybe a friend mentioned a program facilitating internship opportunities, and you thought they wanted to look into therapy as a potential career path. You could discuss these for this prompt.

If you’re planning to discuss educational barriers like limited access to resources or technology, lack of educational role models, or the most common one, financial difficulties—consider highlighting personal qualities or skills that provided the foundation for overcoming the obstacle. How was the process of overcoming your academic hurdle formative for you as a person? What was revealed to you about yourself or the world in the process? A bonus here would be to write about paying it forward in terms of helping others in your community to have the same knowledge you gleaned from your experience.

UC Essay Prompt #5

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Keep in mind that there are three parts to this prompt: first, you have to identify the challenge; second, describe the ways you took to overcome the challenge; and third, connect the challenge to your academic achievement. UC Berkeley essays require you to clearly indicate these three aspects.

You can begin by thinking of challenges and setbacks that you faced and were able to overcome. For some, these might be economic struggles, familial challenges—such as divorce, a parent losing a job, or living in the shadow of a sibling who is a star athlete or top student—personal illness, or a learning disability. UC Berkeley essays encourage you to explore these challenges deeply. Your challenge does not need to be structural —for example, it could involve feeling overshadowed by a sibling, dealing with body image issues, or overcoming insecurity.

This could be a personal challenge that you overcame, or one that affected others in your community or school . What made this challenge an important one? UC Berkeley essays also provide a good space to discuss the difficulties you faced and what you learned from the situation. Did you have the help of others, or did you take it on alone?

At the moment, if you are walking through a challenge, what are you doing right now, and how does this impact different domains of your life? For example, ask yourself: how has my life changed at home, at school, with my friends, or with my family?

UC Essay Prompt #6

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

Many students find a passion within just one specific area of academic study. If you are one of these students, UC Berkeley essays provide a great platform to showcase what you have done to pursue this interest. Describe how your interest in the subject developed and discuss any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom, such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, and participation in student organizations or clubs , and what you gained from your involvement.

To answer this efficiently in your UC Berkeley essays, you could consider the following: Has the subject been a factor of interest in your choice of major and/or future career choice? Have you been able to take advanced work in this subject through honors, AP, IB, or college/university courses? Are you interested and motivated by the opportunity to take this subject further at UC, and how might you do so?

For example, if all of your activities are related to math and coding, you should talk about the origin of your interest in the subject matter—what made you fall in love with numbers and sequences? What made you want to dedicate a solid four years of your life to it? Once you’ve figured out the subject that you’re most interested in and inspired by, think about a concrete example of how you’ve furthered your interest in the subject. UC Berkeley essays often highlight common ways students further their interests, such as reading and researching about their passion, engaging with media related to it, joining clubs or organizations, and applying for internships.

UC Essay Prompt #7

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

This prompt asks for a definition of your role in a community: your high school, neighborhood, family, or perhaps within a club or sports team. UC Berkeley essays encourage you to explore this deeply, but nothing high-profile is required. This is more a question about how you relate to others, your value system, your charitable nature, and how you interact with the world around you. What UC Berkeley essays seek here is an opportunity for a truly heartfelt, sincere story.

For this question, the most important element is not the name or classification of the community you select, but how you define your position in that community. UC Berkeley essays want to know: How are you special in your community? What would be lacking from your community if you weren’t there? It could also be how you are a role model, an advocate for change, a supporting system for its members, or a corrector when the community steers away from its values and principles.

For example, if you’re holding a leadership position in your local volunteer community shelter, did you start an initiative when a flash flood happened? Did you provide resources for out-of-school youth? Did you start a literacy program for kids whose parents are in jail? You may share these initiatives for this question in your UC Berkeley essays.

If you are describing a specific service that you provided to your community, you may want to briefly comment on what you learned through it and how you will continue to learn in the future.

UC Essay Prompt #8

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admission to the University of California?

If there is anything you want UC to know about you but didn’t find a question or place in the application to share, now’s your chance. What haven’t you shared that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge, or opportunity that you think will help UC know you better?

Since the University of California is unique in application and does not subscribe to the Common App, this prompt is an excellent opportunity for applicants to include a succinct version of their 650-word Common Applications personal statement.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. does uc berkeley use the common app.

No, the UC System has its own application portal.

2. Does UC Offer Early Action or Early Decision?

No, UC does not offer early action or early decision. 

3. Can You Use ChatGPT to Answer UC Berkeley Essays?

No. Admissions officers want to read authentic, human writing and experiences. This cannot be provided by AI-generated content.

At AdmissionSight, our goal is to help you with every step of the college admissions process. The UC Berkeley essays can seem daunting at first, but our experience and expertise will help you navigate the entire process with confidence. Hopefully, this guide to the UC Berkeley essays has been helpful, but if you want more information about how AdmissionSight can help you realize your dreams, set up your free consultation today!

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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Rica nu stia sa zica rau, ratusca, ramurica. I stared at the cracked ceiling of my bedroom in Romania, repeating the eight words under my breath. Rica nu stia sa zica rau, ratusca, ramurica. More than anything, I wanted to roll my r's, to speak Roman...

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Chubby fingers outstretched and round cheeks flattened against the window, I leaned further into the plexiglass. Although I could feel a firm hand tugging at my shirt, urging me to sit back in my seat - at ten, I possessed little concept of manners...

Blue blanket in one hand, cookie monster in the other, I stumbled down the steps to fill my sippy cup with coffee. My diplomatic self gulped down his caffeine while admiring his Harry Potter wands. My father and I watched the sunrise through...

People love to ask why. Why do you wear a turban? Why do you have long hair? Why are you playing a guitar with only 3 strings and watching TV at 3 A.M.—where did you get that cat? Why won’t you go back to your country, you terrorist? My answer is…unc...

The three, small, purple seeds sat on the brown soil. Ten feet from me I could see my grandpa with his yunta and donkeys. They were in unison: the two donkeys, the plow, and him. My grandpa commanded; the donkeys obeyed. I began to feel tired. Exhaus...

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Rhiddhit Paul (architecture) and at the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, India for:  Nests for a Phoenix: Building Life After Death  (9000USD)  |   | and Khushali Haji (urban design) at the C.E.P.T. University, Ahmedabad, India (7500USD)  |  |   at the University of Bath, Bath, UK  T (6000USD) Read Bio |  |   and at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada for:  (2500USD) |   |    and (environmental design) at the Moscow Architectural Institute, Moscow, Russian Federation for:  (2500USD) |   |  ( at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and at Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya for:  For the love of Museums” (2500USD)  |   |    at B.K.P.S. College of Architecture and (economics) at the S.P College, Pune, India for:  (2500USD)  |   |  at Beihang University and at the Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, China for:  Elder-Friendly Community Building: Civic Space Creation under the Renovation of the Hutong Area” (2500USD)  |   |  Fatima Aamir & Maria Hunaid Samiwala Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture & Habib University  Pakistan Fatima Pona Arbab & Amal Hashim Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture & Habib University Pakistan Amalia Dewi Ardianingsih & Rahadian Imam Nur Arif Technische Universität Berlin  Germany Job Aronda & Ashaba Precious Makerere University Uganda Shravan Arun & Diana Anghel University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign United States Shubangi Bagre & Divya Bagre School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal & Hahnemann Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Bhopal India Afrah Atique Farooqui &  Tooba Kamran University of Karachi Pakistan Noor Hamdan & Yara Am Ali American University of Sharjah United Arab Emirates Adefila Inioluwa &  Ola Vincent Omotade Federal University of Technology, Minna Nigeria Pranjal Kulkarni & Mukul Katiyar Maulana Azad National Institute Of Technology India Natanael Lopez & Milda Svegzdaite Kaunas University of Technology & Vilniaus Dail?s Akademija Lithuania Zoya Nasir & Ayman Babar Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture & Habib University Pakistan Reva Saksena & Zoofishan Fatima School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal India Samuel Simonetta & Daniel Rivera Savannah College of Art and Design United States Rishika Sood & Sarthak Jain Madhav Institute of Technology and Science & Sardanad Mandir Sangeet Mahavidhyala India Gunraagh Singh Talwar &  Pranav Wahi School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal & Vivekanada Institute of Professional Studies India Leticia Teodoro & Marcelo Gonçalves Unicamp &  Pontificia Catolica de Campinas Brazil Additional Help and Information Medellín Jesús Emilio Ramírez González (Medellín Planetarium) Medellín, Colombia. Marco Aurelio Baquero, Architect. See: . (Photo: website.) Medellín, Columbia. Interactive science museum. Alejandro Echeverri + Valencia Arquitectos, Architects. See: (Photo: website) Albany, California, U.S.A. This is typical of the thousands of post offices in the country that, despite the computer age, are in constant use by the local community. Aspen, Colorado, U.S.A. Charles Cunniffe Architects. See: ; and São Paulo, Brazil. Lina Bo Bardi, Architect. See: Valencia, Spain. 1922. This Central Post Office building is popularly known as the “Palacio de Comunicaciones” (Palace of Communications). Miguel Angel Navarro, Architect. San Francisco, U.S.A. Seattle, U.S.A. Funding was provided by a $196 million , called "Libraries for All," approved by Seattle voters. , , working in conjunction with , . Beijing, China. The “Water Cube” at the Olympic Park. PTW Architects and the Arup Australasia engineering group, together with the China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and the CSCEC Shenzhen Design Institute. See: Oakland, California, U.S.A. This DMV is one of 180 such offices in California, all of which issue driver's licenses, identity cards, and vehicle registrations. Oakland, California, U.S.A. 1918. One of sixteen libraries in the system. Charles W. Dickey and John J. Donovan, Architects. San Francisco, U.S.A. 1915. Designed by of Bakewell & Brown, Architects. See: Victoria, Australia. Fjmt Architects. See: ; (Photo: Trevor Mein) Tokyo, Japan. Convention center, concert venue and exhibition space designed by Rafael Viñoly, Architect. See: São Paulo, Brazil. Oscar Niemeyer, Architect. The Library is part of a much larger, multi-building cultural center. See: Valencia, Spain. 1914-1928. and Francesc Guàrdia i Vial, Architects. Lisbon, Portugal. The largest indoor aquarium in Europe. Designed by Cambridge Seven Associates led by American architect Peter Chermayeff. Shanghai, China. Originally built in 1930, Robert Fan Wenzhao, Architect. In 2007, in recognition of its historic and cultural importance to the community, the entire hall was moved 66 meters to facilitate the construction of a new elevated highway. It has been fully conserved for a new lifetime of community use. New Taipai City, Taiwan. ; . See: (Photo: Architizer.com) Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Today’s bazaar is a complex of large blue and turquoise domes constructed by the government in the Soviet era during the 1980s on the site of former markets that have been in operation for over 2000 years. See: United Arab Emirates. X Architects. See: (Photo: Nelson Garrido) Tabriz, Iran. United Nations World Heritage listing. See Recent Aga Khan prize-winning rehabilitation by ICHTO East Azerbaijan Office, Architects. See: (Photo: AKKA-Amir Anoushfar) Singapore. Freight Architects. See: (Photo: ) Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. Amos Goldreich Architecture + Jacobs Yaniv Architects. See: (Photo: Amit Geron) Warsaw, Poland. Designed by Soviet architect in what has been called the (Stalinist) style, the 1955 building has survived post-Communist era calls for its demolition. It “houses various public and cultural institutions such as cinemas, theaters, libraries, sports clubs, university faculties and authorities of the .” The building is slowly overcoming its history as a symbol of totalitarianism and has become a true community resource. See: Maitland, Australia. CHROFI and , Architects and Landscape Architects. See: (Photo: dezeen.com) London, England. Dixon Jones, Architects. See: (Photo: website); Aspen, Colorado, U.S.A. S2 Architects. See: Medellín, Colombia. Public and community spaces including swimming pool, dressing rooms, and recreational terrace; a ballroom, toy library, classroom workshop, cinema auditorium and children's playground; multiple classrooms, administrative offices, commercial premises and viewing terrace and, in addition to a multi-purpose Coliseum, synthetic court and urban gym. See also: (Photo: Benard Acellam) Medellín, Colombia. Rogelio Salmona, Architect. Designed with an auditorium for 350 people; thirty private and soundproof cubicles for practice; three multiple classrooms for meetings, rehearsals, training or practice; galleries; and a number of playgrounds for various activities. See also: (Photo: Benard Acellam) University of California Essay Examples (And Why They Worked) The following essays were written by several different authors who were admitted to University of California (UC) schools and are intended to provide examples of successful UC essays. All names have been redacted for anonymity. Please note that CollegeAdvisor.com has shared these essays with admissions officers within the University of California system in order to deter potential plagiarism. For our 2020-2021 University of California Essay Guide, click here . For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly plan to work with an admissions coach 1-on-1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. Three thousand, four hundred and seventy one dollars. That was the bill for the hotel room expenses alone for our thirty member excursion. And those were the least of my worries for the weekend. Between drilling wood pieces into a working frame for Air Trajectory and tying a knot in floss to build a pendulum, I was running down the halls, talking to worried parents on the phone, anatomy textbook in hand. The other captains study while I ensure everyone eats dinner and sleeps by 2am, responsible as the school’s sole legal representative for ensuring typical high school shenanigans of music blasting didn’t manifest into real danger. Despite the challenges, I love how self-sufficient we are. North Hollywood students are greeted with an association of, “Aren’t you that school that crushes us in Science Olympiad?” followed by a joking, “Stop!” We don’t have a single adult teaching us, whether in learning to use power tools or conducting flame tests. As the only member of the Science Olympiad team with four years of experience, I carry weight with seniority and position, but also a nostalgia for friendships dimmed as team members graduate. When others concentrated solely on performing well at competition, I couldn’t disagree however heart-wrenching it felt — but I wanted a strong team dynamic, a home for us at school. So I worked on producing it, forming mentorship programs, pairing up freshmen with upperclassmen in events. Whether teaching about mosquito reproduction in standing water or the equivalent of a statistics course I had yet to take, my own enthusiasm seeping into a bobbing ponytail, all I hope for is a continuation of the “FamilyOly” I’ve grown to love. Science Olympiad was a microcosm of the larger school, where competition ran in the very veins of the institution. But to me, it had become a family evolving with my role, from the little sister of the team to finally the senior captain. Why this University of California School essay worked, from an ex-admissions officer This essay prompt was meant for the author. This essay works because the author not only demonstrates their leadership skills throughout, but highlights the qualities and characteristics that make her a successful leader. The author successfully conveys that she is involved in every aspect of leading her Olympiad team, and even picks up the slack when needed. You get the sense that even though it’s stressful for her at times, she truly enjoys the experience and the connections she has made throughout her four years on the team. The admissions officers learn that this is a dedicated student with grit. Not only has she committed to this extracurricular throughout high school, she has been impactful within the organization as demonstrated by the mentorship program she created and the active role she takes in ensuring the team’s overall success. Furthermore, the author shows a vulnerable side proving that though she is obviously driven, she has layers. Beyond demonstrating her leadership, she effectively shows the admissions committee the type of student she will be on campus and how she will possibly contribute to the community. An admissions officer will likely finish reading this essay feeling that this is a student they want on campus! 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. 440 Hz exactly. The flames flare to life, forming the perfect wave length as I transitioned from note to note, the curves transitioning along. My classmates crowded around as I sang (shouted?) into the Ruben’s tube, a simple PVC pipe with holes cut at even intervals so that high notes translated to beautiful waves of flames. The fight to get a vocal teacher in the first place was an uphill run. Singing, unlike playing the piano or learning to draw, wasn’t deemed worthy of spending money on – wasn’t even seen as a skill. After multiple pitches, I finally got my way, just a foot in the door: one month. It was an odd request from a girl raised to be stringent with money, knowing that a few hours of lessons was equivalent to a new pair of tennis shoes to replace her mother’s long-broken in ones. It started with a classmate’s hate list – number 1? Me. For my voice – -the single-most confusing criterion. I couldn’t change my speaking voice. But in an environment which valued acapellas and Barbershop choirs, singing – singing I could improve on. Six years later, I’m still driving down to lessons every week. I haven’t performed outside of karaokes, I haven’t released recordings to the public, and there’s no record of my voice anywhere in the public eye. But years of vocal exercises and training has done so much for me, even outside of music in strengthening tone and amplitude. It wasn’t until high school that I could reap the benefits, not byway of choir, but through debate. Walking into round meant adopting an entirely new persona, a thick-skinned, articulate force to be reckoned with. Crossfire was my time to shine, to show how I could twist their arguments to fit my logic, and win. My best tournament came with a topic that coincided with my interests – genetically modified foods. In wielding knowledge of biology, from the damages of fertilizer to individual agricultural efficiency methods, we not only won all rounds undefeated, but managed to score the top speaker position and of course a trophy to signify my newly-found voice. I remember standing in an half empty auditorium, standing far away from the students, pitching my virtues as a secretary for a middle school honor society. My arguments were sound, as the first row of students mentioned to me later, nodding along. But with the counselor repeating, like an endless drone – speak louder, yell – the simple repetition of my spiel simply lost its use. I sat down with never-mind-eyes cast to the floor, withdrawing from the election. The author of this essay took an interesting approach to highlighting her creativity by weaving in examples of finding and using her voice in various situations. Two of the qualities that her stories convey is resilience and fortitude. This is demonstrated by the fact that she had been picked on and overlooked as a child but was able to find her voice and confidence, albeit in an unexpected way, through vocal lessons. As an added bonus, the admissions officers also learn about some of the student’s academic and extracurricular interests such as biology, food science, and debate. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent overtime? My chest is burning, my eyes are stinging, and my legs are numb. A thousand thoughts are passing through my brain, but I cannot grasp any of them. All I can do is keep pushing forward. Strangely enough, it is this moment when I feel most alive and connected with the universe. This is my life under water. I have been a swimmer since I was eight years old, for both a swim club and a high school team. In the water, the stress and anxiety from school fades away, allowing me to relax in peace and tranquility. The best swimmers are 5’10” with broad shoulders and huge feet. These characteristics are advantages during competitions because the athletes are able to move faster in the pool without being pushed back by the waves. I am not a typical swimmer. I am half- Black and half- Mexican, topping out at a whopping 5’0″. My skills are not Olympic-bound, but I am passionate about the sport despite the fact that I initially felt like an outlier. Even though I used to get lonely when swimming, I found a huge amount of joy in being a part of the sport at my high school. Our team started off with only six members, most of whom had never even been to a swim meet before. Eventually we gained enough participants and experience to compete against other schools. We were neither the largest nor the fastest team, but I did not care. I had finally found a group of people I connected with. More importantly, I found a group with whom I could share my passion. The daily routine of striving to perfect our techniques formed a bond between us that resulted in the sense of a family. I felt honored when I was chosen as captain and MVP; however, my deepest honor was simply having opportunity to join the team. After I graduate, I hope that the swim team continues to prosper. Then, maybe it will become another young girl’s safe haven, the way the sport has always been mine. Why this University of California essay worked, from an ex-admissions officer This essay works because it’s touching and speaks to the admissions officers’ emotional side. This applicant scores high on the likability factor. As a reader you are able to quickly connect with the author and find yourself cheering for them. The student comes across as dedicated, determined, humble, appreciative, caring, and sincere – which is a lot to accomplish in just 350 words. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? “Hi, this is Teen Line, what’s bothering you tonight?” That simple phrase rings through the tiny room, merely enough space for a few desks and chairs. On one end of the line is a teenager, sharing stories of anything from the dark dread of depression and anxiety to a plea for a savior from the downward spiral of suicide. A tearful voice, desperate for help – a girl barely in high school, suffering at the hands of her “friends” and on the brink of suicide, complete with a plan to choke herself with a dog leash. It’s another hard-hitting story for the night, one that affects all the listeners in the room. But by the end of the hour, we’ve not only managed to get her resources like the National Suicide Hotline, but also managed to get her laughing. It’s a skill that is extremely hard to master, to put aside your fears of failure and empathize. To move from a situation edging on a police call to one with a girl singing songs and laughing at jokes is a seemingly impossible feat that the volunteers at Teen Line must perform every shift, one that takes a lot of inner strength. For me, entering Teen Line was an odd activity for a family whose culture did not center around talking out feelings. Yet, I specifically sought out a suicide hotline in which a high schooler could participate; it was my chance to give back, to listen and hopefully guide those who were willing to seek help, an ear to listen and a shoulder to lean on. It was an opportunity to do for others what I could not obtain for myself, and for that I am grateful. Whether calls from low-income neighborhoods of the nearby Los Angeles to international Skypes of New Zealand and India, never have I felt more productive. The end of a shift always left me with the same satisfied feeling of knowing that someone who needed to be heard was acknowledged, just a small rippling effect on one caller leaving a lifetime’s worth of impression. This is another example of an essay that speaks to the reader’s emotional side. This is an essay that sticks out not only because of its content, but because an admissions officer has a true sense of the kind of person this student is by the end. This student has a high level of maturity and is a genuinely committed young adult who readily and willingly takes on huge responsibility. Apart from identifying the authors values and qualities, the essay is very well written. The vivid use of language draws the reader in, both time and place, on the emotional journey of that particular night. Sometimes admissions officers have to present candidates before a larger committee. This is an example where, if it came down to it, an officer would probably fight to ensure this student is admitted to the college or university if the rest of their application materials were strong overall, but perhaps slightly weaker in some areas. Simply put, this is a student an admissions officer would want as part of their campus community. These University of California essay examples were compiled by the advising team at CollegeAdvisor.com . If you want to get help writing your UC application essays from CollegeAdvisor.com Admissions Experts , register with CollegeAdvisor.com today. Personalized and effective college advising for high school students. Advisor Application Popular Colleges Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice Student Login California Privacy Notice Terms and Conditions Your Privacy Choices By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services. Study Notes College Essays UC ​Berkeley Admissions Essays UC ​Berkeley Essays UC ​Berkeley Facts Unlock All Essays Top 7 Successful UC ​Berkeley Essays These college essays are from students who got accepted at University of California – ​Berkeley . Use them to get inspiration for your own essays and knock the socks off those admissions officers! 1. Describe the world you come from Most children acquire the same eye color or a similar shaped nose from their parents, but I’ve inherited much more: a passion for learning and an insatiable curiosity which has served me well throughout my academic career. My father, an electrical engineer, taught me to explore the world with inquis... 2. Untitled (Prompt #1) Dreams are shaped by ideals and families shape the beliefs we grasp so strongly. Someday I want to save and change lives through a medical career. Because my family has taught me that change can be positive and radical in altering lives, I hope to hold that ability someday. I seek the power to impro... 3. Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience I am an Internet entrepreneur. Since age 12, I have coded and designed websites -- for my school, the local community, and as a personal hobby and pastime. In fact, I started my own Internet business in 2004 and was hired as a webmaster by Intel Corporation this past summer. I also volunteer my free... 4. Untitled (Prompt #2) Mirrors exist to show our outer appearance but nothing beyond that. Only our actions, words, and ideas could possibly represent the personal qualities that matter. The true worth of a person is revealed in those glimpses of light in the midst of adversity and darkness. Those traits that are highly a... 5. UC Essays - Describe your world & personal talent I'm a fifth generation Californian who's picked up a few of the habits of the region, among them surfing and computer programming. What does this mean? Having a foot in both worlds gives me a sense of balance and perspective. Beyond that, surfing has influenced my software coding and future ... 6. A Break Well Spent "Thank God for Starbucks," I mutter under my breath when I spot the all too familiar siren inspired logo as we walk into the hotel lobby. With my mocha in hand, I set about exploring the Marriott Copley Square, home of United Synagogue Youth's International Convention 2012. Slowly but ... 7. intended major     I am an artist; a strange blossom of creativity sticking out awkwardly from a long lineage of electrical and later electronic engineers, like a lonely flower on a big, rigid cactus plant. Behind me, I have eight consistent years of rigorous education in the practice of Fine ... Essays That Worked Read the top 7 college essays that worked at UC ​Berkeley and more. Learn more. University of California – ​Berkeley Facts The University of California, Berkeley (also referred to as UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California, or simply Cal) is a public research university located in Berkeley, California, United States. The university occupies 1,232 acres (499 ha) on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay with the central cam... UC ​Berkeley Stats 16% acceptance rate 37,581 enrolled students $13,432 tuition & fees #20 in US News & World Report Located in Berkeley, CA 580,925 views You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience. Written Statements The written statements of an application consist of: Personal statement (2-4 pages double spaced) Optional supplemental essays such as the diversity statement Addendum (optional) Personal Statements This statement is a critical sample of your ability to write, as well as an opportunity to tell the admissions committee about yourself. Since most schools do not conduct interviews, the statement represents an opportunity for you to present yourself as more than just a GPA and an LSAT score. With so many applicants possessing identical qualifications, the statement can be the critical factor that distinguishes you from the applicant pool. What you say in your statement can also help you offset weaknesses in your application. So, take writing the statement very seriously. Most schools are interested in why you are choosing to pursue a legal education now and learning about the unique qualities and experiences you will contribute to their incoming class. To get started, gather information about yourself including: Work, school and community experiences, such as positions you have held, volunteer opportunities, and projects you have participated in Extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports teams, leadership positions Personal challenges and experiences, including travel, disabilities, goals you have accomplished Unique talents or interests Personal statement resources and samples: Crafting a Strong Personal Statement Narrative  In Their Own Words: Admissions Essays That Worked – University of Chicago Law School The Law School Personal Statement: A Collection – Schar School of Policy and Government General Tips Write a concise narrative with one or two points. Go for quality over quantity. Tell a story where you are the main character and you changed, grew, or shifted your perspective. Write about any activity that shows off your best qualities. Review your classroom, student organization, work, and personal life for material. Show, don’t tell: conclusions should be self-evident. Well written statements use stories that illustrate your good qualities. You should not have to explicitly state them. Keep the focus on YOU, not an ill relative, remarkable client, or inner workings of an organization where you worked. Write several drafts and ask for feedback on early drafts. Challenges, such as a string of low grades or a low LSAT score should be addressed in an addendum. Be brief and honest while offering a sympathetic explanation. Generally 1-2 short paragraphs is sufficient. Berkeley Career Engagement UC Berkeley, CA 94720 Accessibility Nondiscrimination College Writing Programs We are the heart of writing instruction at uc berkeley. - Contact Us - Please explore our site to find out about our amazing faculty, a group that includes essayists, novelists, poets, journalists, academic writers, translators, playwrights, and more. You can also learn about our different programs, such as the Chiang Research Festival, Berkeley Writers at Work, or the Summer Reading List. Most importantly, you can discover how we help students at all levels write and communicate. If you don’t find what you are looking for here, please be sure to contact us. Maggie Sokolik Give to College Writing Programs Support Fund Newsletter Sign Up Connect with College Writing Programs Berkeley Writing Assessment Formerly Analytical Writing Placement Exam Writing Across Berkeley Articles for Instructors, by Instructors Not So Sorry by Kaya Oakes Kaya Oakes ’ new book, Not So Sorry , is now out! Join us at a launch event on August 22nd at Books Inc in Berkeley with podcaster Mark French. Read more about Not So Sorry by Kaya Oakes Judy Juanita featured on KONCH Magazine New short story by joe de quattro. "Following Calvino", a new short story by CWP Lecturer Joe De Quattro , is out now in the summer issue of Italian Americana. The story is based on Italo Calvino's Six Memos for the Next Millennium. Italian Americana is published by... Read more about New Short Story by Joe De Quattro Summer Reading List Every April, College Writing Programs and the Library collaborate to bring out the Summer Reading List for New Students, a collection of suggested readings for incoming first-year and transfer students as well as the broader campus community. Check out the excellent lists of reading recommendations at reading.berkeley.edu . Berkeley Writers at Work The Berkeley Writers at Work series was begun in 1997 as a forum for campus writers of note to discuss their writing process. Berkeley Writers at Work differs from other forums in that we focus (although not exclusively) on writers of nonfiction, and then on the process, rather than the content, to the extent that these can be separated. Chiang Research Festival The Chiang Research Festival is a celebration of student research, giving students the opportunity to present their research to an audience of peers and develop an academic community larger and richer than any one classroom.  Supplemental Essay Prompts Freshman admissions. The Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology (M.E.T.) program seeks inquisitive, self-motivated students with a passion for finding and solving big problems. The following essay question is designed to provoke honest, thoughtful responses to help us get to know you. It gives you the opportunity to provide unique information about yourself, your interests, and your reasons for applying to the program. In addition to content, essays are evaluated for writing and critical thinking ability, skill in organizing and presenting thoughts, and the relevance of your answer to the question posed. Your response is limited to 350 words. Required Essay: (350 words maximum) Your supplemental essays must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST on December 15, 2023 . Describe how the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology Program in Engineering and Business at UC Berkeley will help you to achieve your goals. Share with us the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). What unique experiences from your world motivated you to apply to our program? Video Essay Invitation Some applicants may receive a request to record a video essay. Video essay requests are by invitation only and will be requested starting in November. Videos must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST on January 12, 2024 . Check your email for an invitation and if requested, be sure to submit your video essay by the deadline. The questions are: How have you contributed to and bolstered the communities you are a part of? (Communities can = school, extracurriculars, family, etc.) How will your admittance into the program catapult your educational journey or complement your career plans? What has been your biggest failure and how did you respond? Continuing Student Admissions The following essay questions were created to provoke honest, thoughtful responses to help us get to know you. They’re framed within the context of The Haas School of Business’s four Defining Leadership Principles and the College of Engineering’s mission and vision, and give you the opportunity to provide unique information about yourself and your interests. These essays are the principal means we have of gaining insight about you and your reasons for applying to the Berkeley M.E.T. Program. In addition to content, essays are evaluated for critical thinking and writing ability, skill in organizing and presenting thoughts, and the relevance of your answers to the questions posed. All applicants are required to answer question A and to choose either topic B or C. The Admission Committee does not have a preference for either question B or C. They’re given equal weight in the review process. Essay D is optional. Required Essay A: (500 words maximum) Describe your post-undergraduate goals. Why is the Berkeley M.E.T. Program essential in helping you achieve these goals? Tip: We understand that both Haas and the College of Engineering (COE) have world-renowned reputations and faculty, strong alumni networks, and that majors have priority access to business and COE courses. Aside from these factors, why do you feel that studying both COE and Business is a necessary step in pursuit of your immediate post-undergraduate goals? You’re not required to include a detailed post-undergraduate plan, but you should address how the program will help you achieve your goals broadly. Choose either Essay B or C: (500 words maximum) Essay B: Describe a time when something important to you did not work out as planned. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the situation? Tip : If you applied to M.E.T. as a freshman, this is an opportunity for you to share with us what has been enhanced since then. Essay C: If admitted to Berkeley M.E.T., how would you help develop a sense of belonging for classmates from diverse communities? What challenges do you anticipate, and how will you respond to them? Optional Essay D: (250 words maximum) Is there any other information you would like to share that is not presented elsewhere in the application? Tip: Use this essay to explain academic issues, grade disputes or personal/family/medical circumstances you want the admission committee to be aware of. Currently, there are unique circumstances impacting applicants to Berkeley M.E.T. You may also use this essay to discuss how you’ve been impacted by matters such as the pandemic, social unrest, and/or natural disasters. Our Culture Our Location Developing Leaders Diversity & Inclusion Sustainability Academic Approach Career Development Learn from Business Leaders Corporate Recruiters Dean's Speaker Series Dean’s Hosted Speaker Events Our History Acclaimed Alumni Commencement Speakers Dean Ann Harrison Haas School Board Full-time MBA Evening & Weekend MBA MBA for Executives Compare the MBA Programs Master of Financial Engineering Bachelor of Science in Business Berkeley M.E.T. (Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology) Global Management Program Robinson Life Sciences Business and Entrepreneurship Program BASE Summer Program for Non-business Majors BCPA Accounting Summer Program Berkeley Haas Global Access Program Michaels Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Business Boost@Berkeley Haas Berkeley Business Academy for Youth Executive Education Research & Insights Media Contacts Faculty Experts Faculty Directory Academic Groups Research Institutes & Centers Faculty Initiatives Case Studies Research Labs California Management Review Nobel Laureates Teaching Awards Visiting Executives & Scholars Faculty in Public Policy Faculty Recruitment Alumni Network Chapters, Groups, & Networks Slack Alumni Workspace Alumni Directory Email (Alumni Email Services) Student-Alumni Connections Professional Resources For BS, MA, MFE, & PhD Alumni For MBA Alumni Lifelong Learning Worldwide Alumni Events Calendar Give to Berkeley Haas Impact & Recognition Haas Leadership Society How to Give Give to Haas Your investments drive excellence Berkeley MBA Blog An international student finds inspirational peers at Berkeley Haas “I think there is general agreement that the most innovative minds in finance are in the U.S. So, it makes sense to study here, where you can learn from and be exposed to the top talent,” said Xiao Tian (Jason) Zhou, MFE 25. Berkeley Haas, the number-one ranked Master of Financial Engineering program in the nation, attracts a fair share of international students. Indeed, the class of 25 is 85% international. The U.S. is the third country Xiao Tian has lived in. Born in China, he emigrated to Canada with his family as a child. “But coming to Berkeley is my first time away from my family in a new country,” he said. “And while Canadian culture has a lot in common with American culture, they still are separate cultures. It helps a lot that people at Berkeley Haas are so openminded and welcoming. My classmates in particular have helped me navigate this new environment.“ Two more culture shocks await Xiao Tian. In October, he will start an internship on the “algo trading team” at Morgan Stanley in New York City. “It is exactly the type of internship I wanted, aligned with my interest in market-making and my desire to improve my skills in an area that will become even more important in the years to come. I also am excited about being in New York City. For one thing, it is closer to my family outside Toronto. For another, as much as I am enjoying Berkeley, the energy in New York City is on a completely different level.” Enjoying his time in Berkeley starts with his MFE classmates, who Xiao Tian describes as diverse and open to other cultures. “There are people with backgrounds in data science and coding. Some come from a business background and have only basic coding skills. But everyone is here to improve their skills in some way and to gain intuition into how math can be used in the real world to improve financial performance and financial markets. That applied knowledge is something that the professors and classes at Berkeley Haas are very good at.” Two classes in the curriculum stood out for Xiao Tian. Derivatives: Quantitative Methods (MFE230D), taught by Dmitry Livdan , went “deep into the theory driving derivatives. But he also related the theory to how things work in the real world. We learned how to account for volatility in pricing derivates. We practiced Monte Carlos so we could see the results.” The second was Empirical Methods (MFE 230E). Although already familiar with the material covered, “I appreciated the practicality of the approach. We learned how to forecast and create models that will be useful in finance.” Xiao Tian and his “study buddies” are awake and at the library early, eager to “talk through problems and approaches, to figure out what we’re missing and how to fill in the gaps.” They also know how to have fun outside of the classroom and library. He is part of a regular poker game. An avid rock climber, Xiao Tian was happy to introduce his new friends to the sport, and they convinced him to start playing tennis again. The varied Asian cultures represented in the Bay Area allow Xiao Tian to keep in touch with his Chinese roots. Apart from having an endless selection of Chinese restaurants to provide a taste of home, “I really like San Francisco’s Japantown, where I can buy the latest manga books and enjoy good ramen.” Now midway through his degree, Xiao Tian looked back on how he prepared for entering the MFE program. He benefited from the Math Foundations and Statistics pre-program classes . “I also am grateful for the encouragement I got to participate in the Investment Portfolio Case Competition at Cornell before starting my studies. It took a lot of effort, but my team drove forward, and we all ended up classmates at Haas.” One thing Xiao Tian wishes he had done more of before starting classes is talk with MFE alumni. With 1,500 MFEs and 450,000 UC Berkeley grads around the world, he would have had plenty to choose from in the Haas Alumni Network . “As a student, every Haas alum I have spoken with has been very open and willing to talk. They do not hold back their opinions, or their encouragement and they give the best advice,” he said. “I hope prospective students will say the same thing about me when I talk with them.” More Stories for You Finance | 3 MIN READ Engineering a greater role for women in financial research An MBA is the springboard for a leap from advisor to investor Alumni | 4 MIN READ A career in financial engineering delivers positive impact Sign up for our newsletter. Get a curated collection of the latest trends, insights and happenings from Berkeley Haas delivered to your inbox each month. Current Students Alum Melissa Stafford Jones on her career developing meaningful policy approaches in public health Jones is now president and CEO of the Public Health Institute Published August 20 Share on LinkedIn Share on Facebook Share on X (Twitter) After 30 years working to improve public health at the national, state and local level, UC Berkeley School of Public Health alum Melissa Stafford Jones, MPH ’95, has taken the reins of one of California’s largest and most respected non-governmental public health organizations. It’s not surprising that the Public Health Institute’s search for a new leader ended with Stafford Jones. Since earning her masters, Stafford Jones has made a name for herself as a strong leader who can handle tough issues and work well with policymakers and stakeholders. Stafford Jones previously served as director of the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative , a project of the California Health and Human Services Agency. The five-year, $4.6 billion initiative serves as the core of California’s master plan for children’s mental health. Previously, during the Obama Administration, she was a federal appointee for Health and Human Services Region IX—which serves serves Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Micronesia, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and more than 157 federally-recognized tribes including the Navajo Nation—where she worked to implement the Affordable Care Act and to increase public access to health care and social services. Stafford Jones also served as longtime president and chief executive of the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems , where she created the first large-scale pay-for-performance incentive payment program in Medicaid for California’s public safety net to improve access to care, health care quality, and health outcomes for patients, The successful program was replicated in other states. Berkeley Public Health interviewed Stafford Jones in July, almost eight months into her new job. This is an edited transcript of our conversation: Berkeley Public Health: What do you like about working in public health? Melissa Stafford Jones: I have found a career in public health to be so rewarding. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work just completely centered on mission and on purpose. Every day, the work in public health is really an opportunity to create change, to improve health and well being. I’m just so grateful that that is what I have gotten to do every day for the last 30 years. BPH: How did Berkeley Public Health help shape your career? MSJ: I started my public health journey during the HIV/AIDS crisis. I still remember my application to Berkeley Public Health. I wrote my essay about how the way we define an issue results in the strategies and solutions we consider. I wanted an education in public health in order to take a comprehensive, holistic 360-degree approach—particularly looking upstream at prevention and how public policy can shape systems to improve people’s health and lives. I knew that I wanted to work in the systems level and public policy realm; and that is what I learned at Berkeley. It was an amazing education. It was deeply rooted in community health, but also at the public policy and system levels, looking at how we create those conditions to advance health. I worked at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center; starting off my career in county health. That experience led me to become what I call an aspirational pragmatist; to try to combine big picture aspirations for the changes we want and need to improve health and wellbeing for all people and communities. The number one thought I would share, particularly for students interested in public policy, which I was, is to have on-the-ground experience; because that experience is essential to developing meaningful policy approaches. Policy ideas that are disconnected from the reality of what is happening in people’s lives in communities are not going to be as impactful as those which are really grounded and connected. BPH: What are your biggest challenges in your role at PHI? MSJ: I think both the challenge and the opportunity is to be deeply thoughtful around how it is that we advance public health and health equity in this next chapter for both public health as a field and for the Public Health Institute. There has long been a recognition of health disparities, and now a great deal of discussion and attention on equity, but we need to take it to the next level. We need to get to the structural issues that hold inequities in place. Today, we’re thinking about what it will take for PHI to do the critical work that it does on health, health equity, and well-being for individuals and communities here in California and nationally and globally; because PHI does work in all of those settings. BPH: What will your priorities be? MSJ: We know that current systems have produced the health equities that we have. And so we need to change those systems in order to change those inequities. Part of that change is the way in which we work with the community as part of the fabric of public health. And I think that’s a place where PHI really has an opportunity to work in partnership with communities in partnership with the other components of the public health ecosystem, and really think about how we are shifting power and changing systems that hold inequities in place. BPH: Is there a problem with public trust in healthcare and in public health, post-pandemic? MSJ: During COVID we saw that where there was deep partnership with communities, there was trust. Where there were long-standing relationships, there was trust. That is a critical part of the public health ecosystem. One of the structural challenges for public health, where we have important work to do as a field, is in always engaging with the communities. But we often only do it on a situational or on a disease-specific basis, where there’s funding for a very specific situation or issue. We have an opportunity to really work on how we embed deep community engagement and partnership with communities into the way we do public health. There are a lot of folks already working on that. And I’m excited about that. In terms of our health equity work, PHI has a long history of working to build the next generation of a more diverse workforce. We’re also thinking about new roles in the public health workforce, and engaging in cross-sector strategies and partnerships, which we know are critical to advancing equity. Public health by its nature is an incredible field, with incredible breadth; because it recognizes that human health and well being has many contributors and facets. We have to ask, how do we work across sectors? How do we work with education? How do we work with the environmental sector and climate change? How do we work with housing? How do we work with folks working on economic justice? BPH: In terms of public health challenges right now, how much of the solution will come down to new strategies, and how much will just come down to money? MSJ: Interesting question. You know, it’s both. There are plenty of issues where we know what to do, and there can be a resource issue in terms of actually carrying out that body of work. But I also think we have to keep on pushing ourselves to think about what is the next set of strategies in order to not continue to do the same things and expect different outcomes. There’s been a recognition of the importance of social determinants of health and the need to address them in order for the medical care system to get better outcomes. We are still in the process, not only here in California, but really across the country, finding the structures, the resources and the implementation methodologies to make that real. BPH: Tell me about your work with the Obama administration. MSJ: What I learned and loved about that work is that you are really working with your colleagues in Washington, D.C., who are developing the policy, infrastructure and priorities of federal policy that affect people in the states. I’ve had several roles that have allowed me to have a foot in that ‘on the ground’ reality and a foot at that 30,000-feet public policy level. For me, I have to say, I love being at that intersection. I had the chance during my time in the Obama administration to focus on a couple of issues, in particular with implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Taking that policy and putting it into practice and supporting communities, counties, states, partners on the ground working directly with individuals and families to gain health coverage and greater access to health care. That was just a really incredible opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives that I’m grateful for. BPH: What were some of the other issues that came up during your tenure at HHS? MSJ: While I was there we had a significant increase in unaccompanied minors coming across the border. We had to make sure that they were met with the services and support that they needed, by working with partners in the community and in government. BPH: How has your own thinking shifted, over time, on pressing public health challenges? MSJ: I think what has crystallized for me through the range of experiences I have is really coming to deeply focus on and prioritize upstream prevention; change at a systems level, and working across sectors as a critical approach to making advances on challenging issues in public health. And being very intentional about centering equity, and specifically racial equity, through authentic partnership with the community. Those were always a part of public health work. But I think my experience has really led to this crystallization of those as essential strategies that I try to bring to all of the work that I do. And that was part of why I was so thrilled to come to PHI—because those are central to the work of PHI through a range of initiatives. More in category “Alumni”: New alumni association co-presidents are ready to foster engagement and make an impact, public health graduates celebrate 2024 commencement, berkeley public health alum puts new moms’ healthcare first, native american health care remains vastly underfunded. 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Harris Is an Award-Winning Stanford Professor "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As Vice President Kamala Harris takes the stage at the Democratic National Convention tonight to formally accept the party's nomination for president, her life, family , and career is firmly back in the spotlight. In January 2021, when Harris was sworn in as the Vice President of the United States , she made American history as the first Black, first woman, and first Indian American to hold this office. Harris isn’t unfamiliar with being a “first” in her field, however: In 2011, Harris also made history when she was elected as the first Black and Indian American woman to serve as California’s attorney general. As a lawyer and U.S. Senator, Harris’s identity in both her personal life and politics has been largely shaped by her background: her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan , who died in 2009, was an Indian immigrant, and her father, Donald J. Harris, is a Jamaican immigrant. During the DNC in August 2020, Harris reflected on her upbringing, making brief mention of her father. “At the University of California Berkeley [my mother] met my father, Donald Harris, who came from Jamaica to study economics. They fell in love in that most American way, while marching together for justice during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. In the streets of Oakland and Berkeley, I got a strollers-eye view of people getting into what the great John Lewis called ‘good trouble.’” In a 2018 essay written by Donald entitled Reflections of a Jamaican Father, he noted that he's always pushed for Kamala and her sister, Maya , to uphold a connection to their Jamaican roots as well as their American ones. “To this day, I continue to retain the deep social awareness and strong sense of identity which that grassroots Jamaican philosophy fed in me,” he wrote. “As a father, I naturally sought to develop the same sensibility in my two daughters.” While Harris is very vocal about her Indian and Jamaican roots, it’s not often that she speaks out about her father. Below, what we know about Donald J. Harris. He came to the United States to study economics. Donald J. Harris was born in Jamaica in 1938, and moved to the United States in the 1960s to get his Ph.D. at the University of California-Berkeley. He later became naturalized as a U.S. citizen. Harris taught at the University of Illinois and Northwestern University briefly, then became an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before moving to California and securing a job as a Professor of Economics at Stanford University. Now, after retiring in the late 1990s, he holds the title of emeritus professor. He spent many years at Stanford University. According to Harris’s Stanford bio , “His research and publications have centered on exploring the analytical conception of the process of capital accumulation and its implications for a theory of growth of the economy, with the aim of providing thereby an explanation of the intrinsic character of growth as a process of uneven development.” Throughout his career, Harris traveled around the world to conduct research, give seminars, and consult with various governments—including his home country of Jamaica, where he served as an economic adviser—to work toward boosting their economies. He and Kamala’s mother met at Berkeley during the Civil Rights movement. Harris and Gopalan met at the University of California, Berkeley, where they were both studying for their doctorates. According to their daughter’s autobiography, The Truths We Hold , Donald and Shyamala “met and fell in love at Berkeley while participating in the civil rights movement.” Speaking about her parents, Kamala said in an Instagram post: “They laid the path for me, as only the second Black woman ever elected to the United States Senate.” He and Kamala’s mother divorced when she was seven years old. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kamala Harris (@kamalaharris) Kamala was just seven years old when her parents separated, and her mother was granted full custody of Kamala and her sister Maya. In the 2018 essay mentioned earlier, Donald went into some detail about their divorce, noting that it “came to an abrupt halt in 1972” after he lost a “hard-fought custody battle in the family court of Oakland, California.” Despite the terms of their divorce, Harris claims that his love for his family didn't end when his marriage did. “Nevertheless, I persisted, never giving up on my love for my children or reneging on my responsibilities as their father.” He made sure his daughters celebrated their heritage. In the essay mentioned above, Donald also recalls memories of taking his daughters to Jamaica to teach them about their heritage. “One of the most vivid and fondest memories I have of that early period with my children is of the visit we made in 1970 to Orange Hill,” he writes. “We trudged through the cow dung and rusted iron gates, up-hill and down-hill, along narrow unkempt paths, to the very end of the family property, all in my eagerness to show to the girls the terrain over which I had wandered daily for hours as a boy (with Miss Chrishy hollering in the distance: “yu better cum home now, bwoy, or else!”).” This likely had a lasting impact, as Kamala often reflects on her family’s heritage and her ancestors—factors that have shaped her worldview as a politician. He famously criticized a joke Kamala made about her Jamaican roots. During an appearance on the radio show “The Breakfast Club” in February 2019, Kamala Harris joked with host Charlamagne tha God about her views on marijuana use. When asked whether she supported or opposed the legalization of the drug, she replied saying, “Half my family is from Jamaica. Are you kidding me?” Her father was far from amused. In a statement to Jamaica Global Online , Donald wrote that “My dear departed grandmothers (whose extraordinary legacy I described in a recent essay on this website), as well as my deceased parents, must be turning in their grave right now to see their family’s name, reputation and proud Jamaican identity being connected, in any way, jokingly or not with the fraudulent stereotype of a pot-smoking joy seeker and in the pursuit of identity politics.” You Might Also Like 12 Weekend Getaway Spas For Every Type of Occasion 13 Beauty Tools to Up Your At-Home Facial Game 225 IMAGES George Berkeley. Essay VII Thoughts On Public Schools And Universities George Berkeley and his Famous Work Essay Example Berkeley and Philosophy Essay Example Article: College Essays That Worked (DOC) Berkeley Essay One College Essays that WORKED. (uchicago/berkeley/ucla) COMMENTS 18 UC Berkeley Essay Examples that Worked (2024) Here are the 18 best Berkeley essays that worked for each Personal Insight Question prompt #1-8. If you're also applying to UCLA, check out more unique UCLA essays from admitted students. Prompt #1: Leadership Experience. UC Berkeley Example Essay #1; Prompt #2: Creative Side. Top 12 Successful University of California, Berkeley Essays These are successful college essays of students that were accepted to University of California, Berkeley. Use them to see what it takes to get into UC Berkeley and other top schools and get inspiration for your own Common App essay, supplements, and short answers. These successful UC Berkeley essays include Common App essays , UC Berkeley ... UC Berkeley Transfer Essays That Worked UC Transfer Essay Prompt 3. UC Berkeley's transfer prompt 3 is actually quite similar to prompt 4 in that they concern development over time. This one is just more concerned about the quality of your talent. Remember: it's okay to brag about this one, but it's not just about how talented or skilled you are. Essays That Got Students Into University of California, Berkeley A full listing of the prompts used for the 2018-2019 admissions cycle can be viewed here. Insider reviewed over half a dozen admissions essays from current UC Berkeley students. While their exact ... 12 Great University of California Essay Examples Essay #1: Leadership. Prompt: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. (350 words) 1400 lines of code. 6 weeks. 1 Pizza. I believe pizza makers are the backbone of society. UC Berkeley Essay Prompts 2023-2024 For the 2023-2024 UC Berkeley essays, it's essential to make sure that the structure aligns with the prompt's requirements and effectively showcases the applicant's strengths, experiences, and fit for the university. 2. Content Depth and Relevance Analysis: Dive deep into the content of each section. How to Write Great UC Essays (Examples of All Personal Insight Talent UC essay example. Let's take a look at Denise's essay on this topic: The first time I touched a computer, I didn't know it was a computer. That is to say: I am of the generation that never had to think much about technology, because it's always been available to us. But one day in middle school I asked my father how it worked. University of California, Berkeley Please respond to any 4 of the 8 questions below.We realize that not all questions apply to all applicants, so be sure to select the 4 questions that you believe give us the best information about you.All 8 questions are given equal consideration in the application review process. Responses to each question should be between 250-350 words. How to Write the University of California Essays 2024-2025 3. Outline the structure of your essay, and plan out content for an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. 4. Before you start writing your essay, write one or two sentences that summarize how you would like the admissions officers to perceive you based on this essay. How to Write the UC Berkeley/University of California Application Berkeley's 106 bachelor's majors are offered across 7 colleges and schools, and the most popular majors are Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), Political Science, Molecular and Cell Biology, Environmental Science, and Economics. ... with curriculum culled from our years of experience helping students write essays that work. Essay Scoop: How to Answer the UC Berkeley Essays UC Berkeley Essays. It's a fact: UC Berkeley is one of the most competitive schools in the world, and top tier in California. The school boasts Nobel laureates and ground-breaking research in many fields, and is considered by many to even be the #1 public university in the world. In this article, let's talk about the UC Berkeley essays. UC Berkeley Essays That Worked UC Berkeley Essays That Worked: Sample Essay. "My local library hosts graphic novel contests annually, and about a year ago, I took second place. It was a memorable experience for me, as the contest provided an opportunity for me to showcase one of my passions: art. I have been interested in art for as long as I can remember. Successful UC Berkeley essays? You may want to check out some essay compilation books, like "50 Successful University of California Application Essays" or "Heavenly Essays: 50 Narrative College Application Essays That Worked." While these books include essays from various UC schools, including Berkeley, they can give you a sense of what successful applicants have written ... Personal Insight Questions What Leadership Looks Like. Personal Insight Questions. The personal insight questions are about getting to know you better — your life experience, interests, ambitions and inspirations. Think of it as your interview with the Admissions office. Be open. Be reflective. Find your individual voice and express it. A Comprehensive Guide to UC Berkeley Essays this 2024 The University of California (UC) school system is one of the prestigious state university systems in the United States. It includes nine undergraduate universities: UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Merced, and UC Irvine. The University of California system has its own application portal. Explore 231 College Essay Examples Join the Essays That Worked community and get access to our entire database of 231 essay examples from students like you. ... UC Berkeley UC Berkeley. UCLA UCLA. UC San Diego UC San Diego. UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Barbara. University of Michigan University of Michigan. UNC at Chapel Hill UNC at Chapel Hill. Berkeley Prize Essay Competition For the Finalists, there is the "best of the best" First, Second and Third Prizes, and five Honorable Mentions totaling 35,000USD. In addition, and in lieu of applying for this year's necessarily cancelled BERKELEY PRIZE Travel Fellowship Competition, all Semifinalists will receive a cash award of 500USD. In total, 52 students are ... College Essay Guides Please note that CollegeAdvisor.com has shared these essays with admissions officers within the University of California system in order to deter potential plagiarism. For our 2020-2021 University of California Essay Guide, click here. For more guidance on personal essays and the college application process in general, sign up for a monthly ... THE ESSAYS THAT GOT ME INTO UC BERKELEY ★Like, Comment and Subscribe!ESSAYS THAT GOT ME INTO UC BERKELEY + UCLA | Personal Insight Questions & college essay adviceStruggling with your personal insi... Top 7 UC Berkeley Admissions Essays Essays That Worked. Read the top 7 college essays that worked at UC Berkeley and more. Learn more. Buy Now. University of California - Berkeley Facts. The University of California, Berkeley (also referred to as UC Berkeley, Berkeley, California, or simply Cal) is a public research university located in Berkeley, California, United States. The ... Written Statements Go for quality over quantity. Tell a story where you are the main character and you changed, grew, or shifted your perspective. Write about any activity that shows off your best qualities. Review your classroom, student organization, work, and personal life for material. Show, don't tell: conclusions should be self-evident. Home The Berkeley Writers at Work series was begun in 1997 as a forum for campus writers of note to discuss their writing process. Berkeley Writers at Work differs from other forums in that we focus (although not exclusively) on writers of nonfiction, and then on the process, rather than the content, to the extent that these can be separated. ... Supplemental Essay Prompts Your supplemental essays must be submitted by 11:59 pm PST on December 15, 2023. Describe how the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology Program in Engineering and Business at UC Berkeley will help you to achieve your goals. Share with us the world you come from (for example, your family, school, community, city, or town). An international student finds inspirational peers at Berkeley Haas That applied knowledge is something that the professors and classes at Berkeley Haas are very good at." Two classes in the curriculum stood out for Xiao Tian. Derivatives: Quantitative Methods (MFE230D), taught by Dmitry Livdan, went "deep into the theory driving derivatives. But he also related the theory to how things work in the real world. Alum Melissa Stafford Jones on her career developing meaningful policy Alum Melissa Stafford Jones on her career developing meaningful policy approaches in public health. After 30 years working to improve public health at the national, state and local level, UC Berkeley School of Public Health alum Melissa Stafford Jones, MPH '95, has taken the reins of one of California's largest and most respected non-governmental public health organizations. Kamala Harris's Father, Donald J. Harris Is an Award-Winning Stanford In the streets of Oakland and Berkeley, I got a strollers-eye view of people getting into what the great John Lewis called 'good trouble.'" In a 2018 essay written by Donald entitled Reflections of a Jamaican Father, he noted that he's always pushed for Kamala and her sister, Maya , to uphold a connection to their Jamaican roots as well ... assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech thesis