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Our Approach to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Essay Prompts
Our Approach to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Essay Prompts
First, read the first two pages of the EOP worksheet out loud to your student. Second, go through each question following the same steps:
Ask student to read to themselves the EOP question, the character count, the tutor tips and guiding questions, and the writing sample for this question.
Go back and ask the question out loud and say, “Ok, what’s coming to mind? What do you want to tell them to answer this question?”
Start writing notes or the actual sentences. Type for them as they answer the questions out loud.
LENGTH REQUIREMENTS:
For each question:
2,500 maximum character count (excluding spaces)
~450 words
WRITING STYLE:
Start with the most important facts and details. Get to the point right away and be very direct.
Don’t write it like a story or an essay. This is simply a response to the question.
Give as many examples and details as possible.
It is not necessary to use all 2,500 characters. Answer the question thoroughly. This is possible without using the maximum character count.
SUGGESTED WRITING FORMULA:
1-4 sentences about what happened.
1-4 sentences about how it affected the student.
1-4 sentences stating actions taken to get through it and make things better.
1-4 sentences examples of how student sought support.
Our Approach to the University of California
Personal Insight Questions (UC PIQs)
Our Approach to the University of California
Personal Insight Questions (UC PIQs)
First work with students on PIQ #5 and PIQ #7 or PIQ #1 then choose two others. While all questions carry the same weight, we suggest choosing questions that tell four very different stories.
HOW TO FINISH AND POLISH UC PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS:
The focus is on writing compelling and concise responses that allow application readers to learn about students beyond their grades and extracurriculars, to understand the decisions and actions taken to navigate their world. What isn’t already on the student’s application that is crucial to understanding their life, character, and determination?
Often, there are gaps in the application, for example, dips in grades and involvement. The responses are meant to provide explanations for any inconsistencies. PIQ responses will help fill in the gaps in their application and show off just how incredible students are by detailing examples of decisions they have made and actions they have taken to overcome challenges and create success and opportunities for themselves and others.
LENGTH REQUIREMENT:
Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
Our Approach to the Common Application
Essay Prompts
Our Approach to the Common Application
Essay Prompts
Before you begin, refer to the Student Questionnaire to know how many and which private schools they are applying to.
The same main Common App essay will be used for all schools. They only need to choose one prompt and write one essay that cannot exceed 650 words. See below for all prompts. The only unique essays they need to write are the supplementals aka writing requirements for each school
The main goal of the Common App at GLAPSW is to choose, outline, and start drafting the main essay. After that, outline as many supplemental essays as possible. Steps #2 and #3 will explain how to approach the supplemental essays.
LENGTH REQUIREMENT:
The main Common App essay cannot exceed 650 words. You should copy and paste as much as possible from one or many PIQ or EOP responses to answer the main Common App essay, but you will need to help them expand. This essay gives you a much higher word count, so use it!
Tips
Tips
KEEP TIME.
Aim to have completed a revised outline by the first hour and a half. Spend the next two and a half hours writing and editing.
BE A PUZZLE MASTER.
You are helping them answer the questions with detail in the most thoughtful and reflective way possible. It is difficult for anyone of any age to make big realizations about life circumstances and events, and what it means to who they are. You can help them put the pieces of the puzzle together. It’s okay to state what you think is obvious.
An example is: “That’s a big responsibility that your parents put the credit card in your name so you can manage the bills, and that you drive your mom to work everyday, and take care of your sister, AND you’ve kept a 4.0 GPA. Let’s focus on the aspect of responsibility. Tell me more about how you handle everything.”
LET THEM DO THE WRITING.
Essays need to be written in the student’s voice and words. Many students are very slow at typing so it ok if you type for them. If you do this, please write what is dictated to you and type their words verbatim. Then you can review the language together to edit and revise. Never write the essay in your own words. If you have questions on how to do this, ask your room leader.
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