What we Want to Know The UC Personal

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

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

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Background • Transfer student: SDSU • BA, English (SDSU); MA, Higher Education Leadership (CSUS) • UC Davis EAOP: 8 years – Diverse students and families; 98% 1 st generation – Comprehensive Review/Holistic Review reader (7 years) EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS My Gifts Hand: Something that I do well Head: Something that I know a lot about Heart: Something that I am passionate about EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

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

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Goals & Objectives • Understanding the role and use of the personal essay • Tips for a strong personal statement • Strategies to support students EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

The Challenge Guiding students to share context, leadership, and why their grit matters. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Purpose of the Personal Statement • Opportunity to provide information that supports and adds to the review process – providing context for student achievement • Helps readers know and understand applicants – content is key EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM 8

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Holistic Review Factors 1. GPA (a-g courses) 2. Exam scores (ACT with Writing, SAT Reasoning) 3. # of a-g courses 4. # honors, AP, IB courses 5. ELC status 6. Strength of senior year 7. Context of academic performance EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Holistic Review Factors 8. Outstanding performance in a subject(s) 9. Outstanding work in a special project in any academic field 10. Recent, marked improvement 11. Leadership, special skills/talents 12. Completion of special projects within context of high school curriculum 13. Context of academic achievement 14. Location of high school/residence EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS UC Personal Statement Prompts • Two questions • Students respond to both questions. – A maximum of 1, 000 total for both prompts – Students must stay within the word limit. • Students choose length of each response. – Shorter response should be at least 250 words. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM 11

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Prompt #1 • Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations. EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM 12

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Prompt #2 • Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are? EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM 13

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Three Tips for a Strong Personal Essay 1. Go deep, not wide 2. Focus on the path to victory 3. Make this about you EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS All About You – Finding a Topic • In general, the UC values: – Demonstrations of leadership • • Team captain President/Vice President of a club or organization Lead in a major activity Leadership role in family • • • Translating for family/community members Speech/debate winner National Merit Semi-Finalist Lead in a school play Winner of an art contest – Special skills/Talents EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM 15

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

Strategies for Students EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Brainstorm • List all activities you have been involved with. – Does not need to be limited to what happened at school – Your home and community are a part of who you are EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS Outline I. Introduction: I learned a lot from starting the first poetry club at my school a) b) II. I love poetry and wanted to share this a) b) c) Other people who like poetry People who are interested People who want to learn Etc What I did a) b) c) Convinced my English teacher to be the advisor Made signs to recruit members Etc. . . What I learned a) b) c) Lesson/Skill 1 Lesson/Skill 2 Lesson/Skill 3 EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

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

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

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS General UC Tips • Apply broadly! • Describe your achievements and challenges • Don’t wait until the last minute EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM