What are the questions?
D02: Replacing Personal Statements with More Personalized Questions • Michelle Butler, University of California, Berkeley • Gary Clark, University of California, Los Angeles
• Emily Engelschall, University of California, Riverside • Kristina Wong Davis, University of California, San Diego
What We’ll Cover Today • Why did UC change from personal statement prompts to the new personal insight questions? • Who was consulted?
• What are the questions? • What does UC expect from the answers?
• What resources are available to assist counselors and students?
Why the Change? • Prompts were last changed in 2008. • Admission Directors were concerned about the existing prompts. • Move to more direct questions – less guessing about what we want. • Give students choice to select questions most relevant to them. • Each question aligns to one or more of the comprehensive review criteria.
What Are the Parameters for Answering the Questions? • The questions will be in the fall 2017 application. • Freshmen must choose 4 out of 8 questions. • Transfers must answer one required question then choose 3 additional questions out of 7. All questions have equal value; there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others. Maximum of 350 words for each response.
We Received Input from…. • High School & Community College Counselors • UC Admissions Officers
• UC Faculty / Other Faculty • Students
Reminder: UC Comprehensive Review Criteria – Frosh • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Grade-point average Test scores Performance in and number of courses beyond minimum a-g requirements UC-approved honors courses and advanced courses Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) – CA residents only Quality of senior-year program of study 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 Geographic location
Note: No single factor determines admission
Reminder: UC Comprehensive Review Criteria – Transfer • Grade point average in all UC-transferable courses • Completion of specified courses designated for intended major • Completion of specified courses that meet breadth/general education requirements • Participation in academically selective honors courses or programs. • Special talents, achievements and awards • Completion of special projects or programs. • Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences • Location of the college and residence. • Completion of an associate of arts or science degree for transfer (ADT) offered by a California community college.
Note: No single factor determines admission
What Are the Freshmen Questions? 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
What Are the Freshmen Questions Cont.? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you. 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
What Are the Transfer Questions? Required question: • Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university. • This questions is mandatory because preparation for the major is critical in the transfer admission selection process. • Select 3 other questions from the list of seven.
What Are the Other Transfer Questions (choose 3 of 7)? 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
What are the other transfer questions? (cont’d) 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 7. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
Keep In Mind…Yes, We’re Saying It Again! • All questions have equal value. • Maximum 350 words for each question. • We do not require an essay.
• New questions beginning fall 2017 admissions cycle.
What does UC expect to learn from the answers? • Greater authenticity • Maximize the student voice • No more guessing about what we’re asking • More information about the student – who they are • Most relevant information that best reflects individual circumstances
Resources • FAQs about the personal insight questions http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/q-and-a/personal-questions/index.html
• Download the list of questions only, go to: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/transfer/index.html -- see the blue box on the right side of the screen
• Freshman questions & directions http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/index.html
• Guide for Freshman Applicants (brainstorming worksheet) http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/files/uc-personal-questions-guide-freshman.pdf
• Transfer questions & directions http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/transfer/index.html
• Guide for Transfer Applicants (brainstorming worksheet) http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/files/uc-personal-questions-guide-transfer.pdf
• Writing tips http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/writing-tips/index.html
What you can do • Remove references to “Personal Statement Prompts” from your materials you have created to share with families • Share this information with colleagues, especially teachers at your school! • Print and distribute freshman and transfer “Brainstorming” guides
Your feedback We would appreciate hearing from you if you have suggestions about additional types of guidance materials we might be able to provide to you, students and/or parents. • Email suggestions to: [email protected] • Subject Line: Personal Insight Questions – Feedback
Recap…Because It’s Worth Saying Again •
4 Questions (1 mandatory for transfers)
•
350 word maximum for each response
•
All questions have equal value
•
Students should select questions that are most relevant to them
•
Greater student voice / less coaching and strategizing
•
UC does not require an essay with the application
Thank You! Questions?
• Emily Engelschall, University of California, Riverside • Kristina Wong Davis, University of California, San Diego
What We’ll Cover Today • Why did UC change from personal statement prompts to the new personal insight questions? • Who was consulted?
• What are the questions? • What does UC expect from the answers?
• What resources are available to assist counselors and students?
Why the Change? • Prompts were last changed in 2008. • Admission Directors were concerned about the existing prompts. • Move to more direct questions – less guessing about what we want. • Give students choice to select questions most relevant to them. • Each question aligns to one or more of the comprehensive review criteria.
What Are the Parameters for Answering the Questions? • The questions will be in the fall 2017 application. • Freshmen must choose 4 out of 8 questions. • Transfers must answer one required question then choose 3 additional questions out of 7. All questions have equal value; there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others. Maximum of 350 words for each response.
We Received Input from…. • High School & Community College Counselors • UC Admissions Officers
• UC Faculty / Other Faculty • Students
Reminder: UC Comprehensive Review Criteria – Frosh • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Grade-point average Test scores Performance in and number of courses beyond minimum a-g requirements UC-approved honors courses and advanced courses Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) – CA residents only Quality of senior-year program of study 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 Geographic location
Note: No single factor determines admission
Reminder: UC Comprehensive Review Criteria – Transfer • Grade point average in all UC-transferable courses • Completion of specified courses designated for intended major • Completion of specified courses that meet breadth/general education requirements • Participation in academically selective honors courses or programs. • Special talents, achievements and awards • Completion of special projects or programs. • Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences • Location of the college and residence. • Completion of an associate of arts or science degree for transfer (ADT) offered by a California community college.
Note: No single factor determines admission
What Are the Freshmen Questions? 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
What Are the Freshmen Questions Cont.? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you. 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
What Are the Transfer Questions? Required question: • Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university. • This questions is mandatory because preparation for the major is critical in the transfer admission selection process. • Select 3 other questions from the list of seven.
What Are the Other Transfer Questions (choose 3 of 7)? 1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
What are the other transfer questions? (cont’d) 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? 6. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 7. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
Keep In Mind…Yes, We’re Saying It Again! • All questions have equal value. • Maximum 350 words for each question. • We do not require an essay.
• New questions beginning fall 2017 admissions cycle.
What does UC expect to learn from the answers? • Greater authenticity • Maximize the student voice • No more guessing about what we’re asking • More information about the student – who they are • Most relevant information that best reflects individual circumstances
Resources • FAQs about the personal insight questions http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/q-and-a/personal-questions/index.html
• Download the list of questions only, go to: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/transfer/index.html -- see the blue box on the right side of the screen
• Freshman questions & directions http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/index.html
• Guide for Freshman Applicants (brainstorming worksheet) http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/files/uc-personal-questions-guide-freshman.pdf
• Transfer questions & directions http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/transfer/index.html
• Guide for Transfer Applicants (brainstorming worksheet) http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/files/uc-personal-questions-guide-transfer.pdf
• Writing tips http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/writing-tips/index.html
What you can do • Remove references to “Personal Statement Prompts” from your materials you have created to share with families • Share this information with colleagues, especially teachers at your school! • Print and distribute freshman and transfer “Brainstorming” guides
Your feedback We would appreciate hearing from you if you have suggestions about additional types of guidance materials we might be able to provide to you, students and/or parents. • Email suggestions to: [email protected] • Subject Line: Personal Insight Questions – Feedback
Recap…Because It’s Worth Saying Again •
4 Questions (1 mandatory for transfers)
•
350 word maximum for each response
•
All questions have equal value
•
Students should select questions that are most relevant to them
•
Greater student voice / less coaching and strategizing
•
UC does not require an essay with the application
Thank You! Questions?
