Personal Statement/Transfer and Scholarship Essay Resources and Workshops

•  Explore the myths vs. the realities of application essays
• Understand expectations for content
• Review topic prompts
• Brainstorm and develop ideas for essays
• Read sample essays and discuss strengths and weaknesses
• Learn how to integrate these strategies into your essays:
  • Be honest – even if it hurts.
  • Be descriptive:
    • Use concrete language
    • Use active voice
  • Show don’t tell: Write the story—the experience–that reveals YOU.
  • If writing about something challenging in your life, show how you are overcoming or have resolved problems.
• UC Personal Insight Questions: 
• View the presentation here! 
  transfer essays powerpoint

 Then, start brainstorming and drafting: 

• Consider character traits you want to share that fit the prompt (s)
• Think about moments or periods of your life that illustrate those traits
• Tell a story about that moment or period that demonstrates that trait (brave, creative, inquisitive, compassionate, resourceful, etc.).
• Use first person voice ("I", "my", etc.)
• Describe the circumstance, how you engaged with it, and what you learned about yourself and the world from it (be sure to "show" not "tell" the trait you are showing off)
• Be specific and straightforward and answer the prompt
• pdf of infographic: 
  transfer essay tips and tricks

Great TED talk on how to write the college application essay: