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

E A R LY A C A D E M I C O U T R E A C H P R O G R A M

What we Want to Know:The UC Personal Statement & First

Generation College Students

February 19, 2015WACAC Share, Learn and Connect

E A R LY A C A D E M I C O U T R E A C H P R O G R A M

Presented by:

Hong Pham, Interim DirectorEarly Academic Outreach [email protected]

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% 1st

generation– Comprehensive Review/Holistic Review reader

(7 years)

EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

My GiftsHand: Something that I do well

Head: Something that I know a lot about

Heart: Something that I am passionate about

E A R LY A C A D E M I C O U T R E A C H P R O G R A M

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

E A R LY A C A D E M I C O U T R E A C H P R O G R A M

The Challenge

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

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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

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

Holistic Review Factors

1. GPA (a-g courses)2. Exam scores (ACT with Writing, SAT

Reasoning)3. # of a-g courses4. # honors, AP, IB courses5. ELC status6. Strength of senior year7. Context of academic performance

EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

Holistic Review Factors8. Outstanding performance in a subject(s)9. Outstanding work in a special project in any

academic field10. Recent, marked improvement 11. Leadership, special skills/talents12.Completion of special projects within

context of high school curriculum13. Context of academic achievement14.Location of high school/residence

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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.

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EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

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.  

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EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

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

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS

Three Tips for a Strong Personal Essay

1. Go deep, not wide2. Focus on the path to victory3. Make this about you

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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

– Special skills/Talents• Translating for family/community members• Speech/debate winner• National Merit Semi-Finalist• Lead in a school play• Winner of an art contest

EARLY ACADEMIC OUTREACH PROGRAM

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– 1st generation college student– Refugee, immigrant experience– Parental role in family– Personal challenges beyond student control– Contributions to the school (ROTC, club &

community involvement)

E A R LY A C A D E M I C O U T R E A C H P R O G R A M

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

OutlineI. Introduction: I learned a lot from starting the first poetry club at my

schoola) I love poetry and wanted to share this

a) Other people who like poetryb) People who are interestedc) People who want to learn

b) Etc

II. What I dida) Convinced my English teacher to be the advisorb) Made signs to recruit membersc) Etc...

III. What I learneda) Lesson/Skill 1b) Lesson/Skill 2c) 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

Accomplishment: Poetry Club

I love poetry

No poetry club at

my school

Created the first poetry club at my school

I shared my passion with

others

It enhanced my writing, leadership, and organizational skills because I practice them so much with myself and others.

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