UCtransfer: essay and personal statement

AI Thread Summary
The discussion clarifies the requirements for transferring to the University of California (UC) regarding essays and personal statements. Participants confirm that the UC application requires two distinct essays, which are collectively referred to as the personal statement. The confusion arises from terminology, as some believe "personal statement" and "essays" are different, but they are essentially the same in this context. The current application process involves writing about two specific topics, totaling around 1000 words. Participants note that the prompts are simpler than in previous years, with a focus on depth rather than breadth in responses. Overall, the consensus is that applicants should treat the personal statement as two separate essays as outlined by the UC admissions guidelines.
Acuben
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As I am preparing for transfer to UCs, I know they require essay and personal statement?
what should I write on my essay and what should I write on my personal statement? Are they even two different things or same? Some people say that they are two different, but when I read about it on UC application site,
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/personal-statement/index.html

when you read it, the link say personal statement, title says personal statement, but essay prompts and "Choose a topic for both essays.", "Compose your personal statement in a word-processing program."
 
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They want two separate essays. When I applied in 2005 there were three essays required, but I guess they have scaled back. These questions/topics are easier than when I applied. One of them was, "Tell us what you will bring to the University of California."

"Choose a topic" could be asking you to focus on one thing and write about it well, rather than list out many related things. Or it could be that they didn't completely update the copy from the previous admissions essay instructions that gave you (IIRC) several options for the topic focus. It makes sense to just go with the former idea.
 
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Math Is Hard said:
They want two separate essays. When I applied in 2005 there were three essays required, but I guess they have scaled back. These questions/topics are easier than when I applied. One of them was, "Tell us what you will bring to the University of California."

"Choose a topic" could be asking you to focus on one thing and write about it well, rather than list out many related things. Or it could be that they didn't completely update the copy from the previous admissions essay instructions that gave you (IIRC) several options for the topic focus. It makes sense to just go with the former idea.

I'm aware that they want two essays of 2 topics (1000 words total). so are you saying there is only essay and personal statement is just another term for it?
 
Acuben said:
I'm aware that they want two essays of 2 topics (1000 words total). so are you saying there is only essay and personal statement is just another term for it?

Yes. Basically, your "personal statement" for the UC is to be in the format of the two essays they have outlined.
 

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