UC Essay Ideas

1. Example 1: In this topic, the student has explained how they took up the educational opportunity of studying the International Baccalaureate program at their school, inspired to work hard by their father. You could describe a time when you engaged in an advanced course at school and how this helped you. 

    

2. Example 2: In this essay, the student has discussed how they took the educational opportunity of applying for a scholarship and studying abroad. You could talk about a time when you received a scholarship or received an opportunity to study abroad and how this shaped you.

    

3. Example 3: In this example, the student talks about how they realized they were a gifted student and decided to persist in applying to a prestigious international school, even though they were initially looked down upon. You can discuss a time when you stayed motivated to achieve your educational goals even when other people did not believe in you. 

Prompt 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?

1. Example 1: In this essay, the student has described how the challenges they faced in their home life inspired them to grow as a person to make their mother proud. You could discuss a time when you had to overcome a difficult situation in your family or community that inspired you to grow as a person. 

    

2. Example 2: In this essay, the student has described the challenges they faced when learning English as a foreign language and how they overcame this challenge. You could talk about a time when you had to overcome a language barrier and how this helped you develop new skills. 

    

3. Example 3: In this example, the student has described the challenges they faced after their grandfather passed away and how they overcame these challenges. You could talk about a time when your family members inspired you to overcome challenges. 

Prompt 6

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

1. Example 1: In this topic, the student discussed how they applied their passion for chemistry outside the classroom to solve problems in their community by testing the electrical conductivity of water in coffee machines and developing water filtering systems using MOCs and nanoparticles. Similarly, you can describe a time when you used your academic knowledge to solve a problem in society. 

    

2. Example 2: In this essay, the student has discussed their passion for mathematics and how they have developed their skills in the classroom. You could talk about a time when you were very passionate about one of your subjects and the steps you took in the classroom to develop your skills in this subject or inspire your peers to participate in it. 

    

3. Example 3: In this topic, the student has discussed their interest in mathematics and how they use this outside the classroom in various situations such as boxing and playing billiards. You can talk about a subject you are passionate about and your experience of using this outside the classroom, for example using physics knowledge while driving, biology knowledge to help your pet, etc. 

Prompt 7

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

1. Example 1: In this topic, the student has described how they spread their knowledge of chemistry in their hometown community by writing and publishing a book to help their peers learn. You could talk about a time when you went out of your way to help increase your community's knowledge of a certain topic or issue that you felt passionate about. 

    

2. Example 2: In this essay, the student explained how they made an impact in their community by teaching music to kids at an orphanage. You could describe a time when you spread your knowledge of a skill or hobby to other members of your community. 

    

3. Example 3: In this topic, the student described how they educated kids in their community on being more socially sensitive regarding racial slurs. You can describe a time when you educated people in your community on a sensitive issue that they were not aware of before, for example educating people about the importance of proper waste disposal rather than polluting the environment. 

Prompt 8

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

This is a very open-ended prompt that can be answered in many ways. Some examples of how students have chosen to answer this prompt are shown below, but remember that you can answer this prompt in many more ways depending on what you want the admission committee to know about you! 

1. Example 1: In this topic, the student has discussed how they became an advocate for the unheard in their community, which started by seeing their grandmother feeling unheard due to dementia. You could talk about a time when you were an advocate for a person or cause that you were passionate about. 

    

2. Example 2: In this essay, the student has described how they became an entrepreneur through buying and reselling clothes as they identified a mismatch between supply and demand. You could talk about a time when you saw a problem in society and had to be innovative to come up with a solution to solve it. 

    

3. Example 3: In this example, the student explained their passion for combining video game concepts with objects from real life. You could talk about a time when you combined one of your hobbies with something from daily life to make something innovative. 

We hope that this guide has provided you with some ideas on what to write your UC essay on. For more example essays, check out the Clastify website here and use the filter on the left to select the supplemental essays for the UCs. Good luck with your applications!