/?

Freshman applicants: Personal insight questions

Answer any 4 of the following 8 questions:

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.
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 the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what
you accomplished 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?
What could you write about?

2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original
and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What
have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are
the steps you took to solve the problem?
How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to
your major or a future career?
What could you write about?

Creativity means to use your imagination to solve problems or contribute ideas. It also means to be able to
externalize your thoughts and ideas into the project, problem, or any other thing you’d need to use it. I say we are
all creative, it just shows in a different way. There are 4 different types of creative people such as: artistic,
cognitive, deliberate, and sponatneous. People function differently when they are using their creativity. A creative
skill that is important to me is problem-solving because you are able to solve a tough situation using different
techniques and perspectives. It shows how you’re adaptable to new situations or obstacles you may come
across. I think that being adaptable is crucial in life because of how spontaneous life is. Using this skill has made
me hard-working, action oriented, empathetic, and gained the ability to look at things differently and creatively.
When I was trying to solve a minor and temporary problem using innovative thinking, looping my button with my
belt loop because my pants were loose, fixed my problem because my pants fit and now I do this with almost
every pair of pants I own [when I’m not wearing a belt of course]. Another creative side I have is my artistic side.
This helps me to express my thoughts and ideas through drawings. I love drawing because it’s relaxing yet
stressful - considering I can be a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to drawing - it enhances my ability to come
up with new ideas. It can also help to make me think differently to solve different problems. I enjoy using my
creativity in school, mainly when I’m doing group projects.I use these different types of creativity in my daily life
which does in fact benefit my future career and it does influence my decisions outside and inside the classroom.

3. 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 it, 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 in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?
What could you write about?
 A talent I have and a hobby I enjoy would be drawing. I’ve always drawn since I could remember and since then I
still do. I wouldn’t say I’m Picasso or da Vinci but I don’t think my drawings are terrible. I have improved as I’ve
gotten older. I enjoy drawing nature, clothes, I also do a lot of doodling, and I've been practicing drawing people.
This talent is meaningful to me because it allows me to be creative in the smallest way by being able to draw on
the corner of my paper or have a whole sketchbook filled. Drawing did come naturally as I said I did improve a lot
throughout the years. Drawing does allow for opportunities in and out of the classroom. They fit into my schedule
at any time. I can either set some time for myself to draw or I can easily draw or doodle on my paper.

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to
overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational
experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment
program, or enrollment in an academy that’s geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses
that interest you — just to name a few.
If you choose to write about educational barriers you’ve faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them?
What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier
help shape who are you today?
What could you write about?

I am taking AP World History and it has been tough this year with online learning and I am more of a US history
person. I was struggling in this class and I tried my best to overcome my struggles by getting all of my
assignments finished and turned in on time. I would also use any resources I had such as notes, videos, and
asking my teacher any questions. I had to manage my time better to not procrastinate and a lot of self-discipline.
Overcoming this barrier has taught me to always work harder on something that is difficult and to not get
overwhelmed otherwise that’s where the struggling begins.

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?
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?”
What could you write about?

The most significant challenge that I’ve faced would be Covid-19 and lockdown. I would say that this affected
everyone in different ways. As for me, it wasn't too bad because I had my family with me and I was able to see
my nephew’s firsts, like, first words, first crawl/step, etc. I also didn’t feel lonely because I had my family and
we’ve always been close, so I had fun being with them more. What became difficult was being social with people
because I became shy again. I grew up being shy and when I had started being more outgoing it was only for a
while until quarantine. School also became difficult because my motivation went away and everything was
overwhelming. I wasn’t used to the whole idea of online learning and it was difficult to learn online because some
things are better for me to learn in person. As the new school year began I had a different mindset, I became
more disciplined with myself and I would try my best not to procrastinate and I was very proud of myself because I
actually completed those goals of mine. Lately it has gotten a bit more difficult because school is school, it gets
hard, and I can lose motivation and things get overwhelming but God always got me through the week. What I
learned from this is that everyone is going through something no matter how big or small the problem is, it’s still
valid and all anyone should do is be nice to them. Some people are more open with sharing and others aren’t and
no one should feel forced to do so if they’re not comfortable.
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest
inside and/or outside of the classroom.
Things to consider: Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just
can’t get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in
the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom — such as
volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs —
and what you have gained from your involvement.
Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to
pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to
pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?
What could you write about?

I am taking French and I have always loved the French language. I was very glad to have the opportunity to be
able to learn at school. I used to use an app that works very well for language learning. Now I have a larger
knowledge of the language. I am able to listen, read, and write in French. Although I am not fluent, I do wish to
become fluent. French isn’t a language that is used in my home. I have used my resources such as movies,
shows, music, books, etc; to keep the language fresh in my head. I also try speaking with my sister so that we
both can improve our comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation. I also try to journal in French to expand my
vocabulary and improve my writing skills. If I do get the opportunity to have a host family in France to live in a
French environment then that would be amazing and any other opotuinities I can get then I would be interested in
taking it. If I am able to take French in college I would be more than glad.

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place — like your high
school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that
community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?
Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider
community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?
What could you write about?

8. 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?
Things to consider: If there’s anything you want us to know about you, but didn’t find a question or place in the
application to tell us, now’s your chance. 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?
From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don’t be afraid to brag a little.
What could you write about?