UC Readers typically spend 2-3 minutes on your ENTIRE application, which means they are--at best--skimming your essay. Make their job easier by doing the following:

• Get to the point

• Avoid descriptive writing

• When applicable, use the CARL Format:

  • CHALLENGE

  • ACTION I TOOK

  • RESULTS OF MY ACTION (hopefully they helped and didn't make things worse)

  • LESSONS I LEARNED

UC Readers want you to limit the focus of your essay to one particular topic--hence the disparate and specific PIQ Prompts. One way to approach these essays is to clearly demonstrate how you match to a portion of their 13 point rubric, the ones that best match essay topics are reproduced below

• • • Academic opportunities in California high schools

    • Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas

    • Achievements in special projects

    • Improvement in academic performance

    • Special talents, achievements, and awards

    • Participation in educational preparation programs

    • Academic accomplishment in light of life experiences

One way to think about how to best focus your essays is to make sure you have all your "buckets" covered. What are the major "buckets" you should aim for:

1. BUCKET 1 - FUTURE: ACADEMIC, EDUCATIONAL, OR CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

2. BUCKET 2 - PEOPLE: YOUR MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND OTHER PEOPLE

3. BUCKET 3 - YOU: YOUR UNIQUE TALENTS, SKILLS, OR QUALITIES

You have 4 PIQs to choose from. Make sure one discusses your academic studies/your future, another one discusses how you are a people-oriented person, and another focuses on something that is meaningful or important to you. The fourth one is your choice.