university of san diego supplemental essay examples

• Search All Scholarships
• Exclusive Scholarships
• Easy Scholarships to Apply For
• No Essay Scholarships
• Scholarships for HS Juniors
• Scholarships for HS Seniors
• Scholarships for College Students
• Scholarships for Grad Students
• Scholarships for Women
• Scholarships for Black Students
• Scholarships
• Student Loans
• College Admissions
• Financial Aid
• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarship Providers

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here .

How to Respond to 2023/2024 University of San Diego Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prior to coming to Scholarships360 for her first internship in 2022, Savannah utilized her campus publications by joining various fashion publications that are offered at Ohio University. One of those publications is Thread Magazine, where Savannah has had the opportunity to work on articles related to world-wide related fashion news and events, as well as articles closer to home, such as a fashion piece on Athens hometown-hero Joe Burrow. This year, Savannah also had the opportunity to be a content writing intern for Aiken House, as well as a section editor for Southeast Ohio Magazine. In 2023, Savannah served as the Chapter President of her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta. These collective experiences, as well as her experience currently working for Ohio University’s Undergraduate Admissions, has led her to Scholarships360 and aided in her passion for helping students better understand the college admissions process and financial aid. In her free time, Savannah enjoys horseback riding, watching Formula One races, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Savannah will graduate from Ohio University in May 2024 with a degree in Journalism News and Information and a certificate in Italian Studies.

Learn about our editorial policies

Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College.

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

The University of San Diego is a private, Roman-Catholic university located in beautiful San Diego, California. Through the USD supplemental essay, students have a chance to show the admissions professionals who they are as a person. Let’s dive into what the USD supplemental essays are all about!

Mandatory USD first-year supplemental essay

“The University of San Diego offers diverse educational opportunities grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. First-year students are immersed in one of our five Learning Communities (LC ), with the themes reflecting the vitality of the liberal arts tradition: Advocate, Collaborate, Cultivate, Illuminate and Innovate. Select one of these five themes and describe how it resonates with you and why.” 

All first-year applicants are required to write this essay prompt. It gives the reader an opportunity to see what kind of student you are and who you are as a person. This prompt can be easily answered in about 200 words, but the maximum length it can be is 350 words. 

This is a personal opinion essay, but a good one to show the admissions professionals at San Diego what kind of person you are. Are you an advocate, and if so, why? How is collaboration important to you in your college career? Think about things like this while you are looking at each of these five themes. 

Questions to consider:

• How have you used one of these themes in your life to shape who you are?
• Are any of these themes values that your current school community holds?
• How will you incorporate these themes into your education at San Diego?

Also see: 10 tips for successful college applications

Mandatory USD supplemental essay for transfer students

“How will USD help enhance your educational and professional goals beyond what your current institution offers?”

If you are choosing to transfer, it is likely that you already know the answer to this question. Think about the reason that you are deciding to leave your previous institution, and without putting that school down, talk about the things that you are looking forward to that San Diego offers. Beyond that, what are you hoping to do after you graduate college that San Diego can help you with? Whatever your future goal is, think about the alumni network, classes, and professors that USD can offer you as an undergraduate and incorporate them into your response here. 

• What are your educational and professional goals?
• What does USD have that your previous institution did not?
• Why is USD the ideal school for you?

Also see: How to write a transfer essay

First year and transfer student optional prompts

First year students are also required to choose one of the three prompts below to write along with their mandatory essay. Each of these prompts can also be written in 350 words, and giving students the opportunity to choose which prompt they would like to write shows that USD wants to get to know you!

“What contribution have you made to your current school and/or local community that best exemplifies your awareness of and commitment to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable community? Here at USD, we believe that our campus community and the communities we engage with are integral parts of who we are as a university. Our newly launched  Horizon Project is a call to action, ensuring that we are dedicating the time, energy and resources necessary to build an ever more diverse and inclusive campus community. We value the fact that our students come from all walks of life, have experienced different realities and bring with them an array of unique perspectives, including some that have often been underrepresented and underserved by higher education.”

This prompt offers a great opportunity to talk about the times where you have served your community through community service. If you do not have any community service experience to talk about, that is completely fine. You can think about clubs and organizations that you were in while in high school, and how they affected the individuals in the organization and your school community. Read about the Horizon Project and how you can get involved. If you have any experience working on a team to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion within your community, school, or organization, this is a great opportunity to touch on this.

• What community service opportunities did you participate in while in high school?
• What steps did you take to make the organization you were a part of more diverse? 
• Have you worked on a diversity project or on a diversity team in an organization?

“Use this space to write about one of the challenges facing humanity today. Why does it matter to you? What experiences or insights have you had that speak to the urgency of this issue. As a proud Changemaker Campus , as designated by Ashoka U, the USD experience emphasizes changemaking through social justice efforts, civic engagement, social innovation, creativity and a global perspective.”

This is a very deep question that will take some time to answer fully. As you can imagine, there are so many different topics that you could choose to write about here. The best thing that you can do here is free write about something that you are passionate about or something that you want to change in the world.  After you are done with that, go back and edit your work into more cohesive thoughts. Be sure to link back to the Changemaker website to show that you did your research! 

• What are you passionate about?
• What experiences have you had that made you passionate about this topic?
• What do you feel are the world’s most pressing issues–what needs to change?

“Share some of your ideas about the role of faith or spirituality in your life or the life of someone you know. As a contemporary Catholic university, we welcome and celebrate students from every background and faith tradition, including those who do not identify with a faith tradition. We devote great time and energy to ensuring all students feel connected to the vibrant USD community, including opportunities to grow in their relationship with God while considering who they are, what they believe and who they are called to become.”

Since the University of San Diego is a Catholic university, faith is something that is very important to them. Remember, this is an optional prompt, so you do not necessarily need to write this essay. But, if you are a spiritual person and this is something you are passionate about, this essay can tell a lot about the kind of person you– especially if you choose to write about your admiration for someone else’s faith. This shows that you are observant and that you have respect for other people, two things that many colleges look for in a student. 

• Who in your life has influenced your faith?
• Regardless of what religion they practice, who in your life has a faith that you admire?
• How has your faith influenced your education?

Final thoughts for students

There are a nice variety of essays to choose from for your USD supplemental essay. Each of these are pretty straightforward essay options, but just make sure that you are focusing on what makes San Diego the best place for you, and why you would make a great addition to their community. Overall, if you are open and honest in each of your responses, they will love you!

Also see: What is the difference between a college and university?

Additional resources

Once you’ve finished your USD supplemental essays, give yourself a pat on the back! You’re one step closer to finishing your college admissions. But once you’re ready to get back into the process, remember we are here to help every step of the way. With guides on when to apply to college , how many schools to apply to , and how to choose a safety school , we can help you with all your decision-making.

We can also help you decipher your financial aid award letter , write a financial aid appeal , and choose your college . Good luck, and remember, apply to all the scholarships you are eligible for! 

Start your scholarship search

• Vetted scholarships custom-matched to your profile
• Access exclusive scholarships only available to Scholarships360 members

Additional schools to consider

• Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY)
• University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA)
• Baylor University (Waco, TX)
• Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)

Scholarships360 Recommended

10 Tips for Successful College Applications

Coalition vs. Common App: What is the difference?

College Application Deadlines 2023-2024: What You Need to Know

Trending now.

How to Convert Your GPA to a 4.0 Scale

PSAT to SAT Score Conversion: Predict Your Score

What Are Public Ivy League Schools?

3 reasons to join scholarships360.

• Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
• Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
• Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

How to Write the University of San Diego Supplemental Essays

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 5/29/24

If you're looking for a guide on how to ace the University of San Diego supplemental essays, you are in the right place .

Each year, many students try to get into the University of California, San Diego. Of every 100 applicants, 30 are admitted, indicating a 30% acceptance rate. As you prepare to meet UCSD's SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, you should also make adequate preparations for acing its supplemental essays. 

UC San Diego is known for training students in science and technology research programs. As a student, aside from your major coursework, you learn critical skills for the future. 

Graduates from UCSD are leaders in business, nonprofits, and government organizations across the globe. With a well-crafted supplemental essay, you are on your way to becoming the best of the best. 

The secret to writing a compelling supplemental essay is understanding the question. All your preparations, including reading this blog, will help you explain and provide winning answers to each prompt. This blog maps out all the tips for crafting outstanding supplemental essays for your application to UCSD.

University of San Diego Personal Insight Questions 2023-2024

How many USCD essay prompts must you write for the University of San Diego ? UCSD provides eight Personal Insight Questions. From these eight, you will need to answer four questions. Here are the eight questions to choose from:

“ Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.”

“Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem-solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistic, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.”

“ What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?”

“ Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.”

“ 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?”

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

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

“ Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admission to the University of California?”

How to Write Each Essay Prompt For the University of San Diego

After reading these questions, they may seem difficult. Do not worry; you can have the best answers among all applicants. Here’s how to write UCSD supplemental essays directly, captivatingly, and compellingly.

How to Write University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #1:

The first question asks you to describe your leadership experience. They want you to focus on that role where you made the most impact and not just make a list of all your previous experiences.  

A leader has influence, strong values, and the ability to mentor, correct, and assist people needing help. Being a leader could be being the chairman of a committee or mentoring a student in junior year. Whether you have actively taken up a leadership role, here are tips on answering question #1. 

1. Pick a Role : We believe every student has had a leadership role at one point or the other. So, write up a list of each role, from the role of a president to the role of a group leader. Then, pick a role that allows you to tell an engaging story.

2. Be Authentic : Think deeply before answering this question. If you took up a role, consider the impacts you made there. Think about how people keep referring to your role as a leader. It could be that you were able to set up a reading club, or you helped a junior study to pass a course. 

3. Be Detailed : Take your time to tell this story in a way that catches your attention. You can mention the name of the book club or the junior you helped. Start by describing your thoughts about the idea and the steps you took until a delivery point. Admissions officers' interest lies in why you took up the role and the lessons learned. 

How to Write the University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #2 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #2:

This question aims to bring out your creativity. To write a stellar essay , ask yourself these questions. Do I have a creative skill that I cherish? UCSD explores your creative side. In your essay, you will describe your creativity and how you use this skill to solve problems.

1. Know That You Have a Creative Side : This UCSD essay prompt needs you to be creative, so you should have creative skills. They need to know that this applicant is not only academia-oriented. So, think about your singing, painting, sewing, baking, or ballet skills. Note that this can boost your chances at the admission office, especially if your academic requirements are not strong enough.

2. Be Creative : Prompt #2 does not just ask you to discuss your creative side. It seeks to know how original and artistic your skill is and how it can be problem-solving. Being creative here involves writing about how you started baking every Sunday to keep the family together. Or how you go sculpting to let your emotions out. 

3. Bring your creativity into your major: If your major is engineering, you can describe how you choose to paint during your leisure time. Go further by describing how your classmates joined you in painting as a time away from academics. This way, you have revealed more about yourself besides your grades. 

How to Write the University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #3 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #3: The keywords here are talent/skill, develop and demonstrate. There's a chance for you to explain the places you've been to as a result of your talent. If you are an athlete, a songwriter, a performer, or a teacher, you can let your talent shine in this essay. How do you go about it?

1. Think About your Strengths : If you have any of the talents listed above, pick one of them for this question. But if you don't, there's no cause for fear. One who isn't an athlete can be a good organizer. Review your experience or ask family and friends to assess your strengths and skills. 

2. Share your Skill Development : Begin your essay as a story describing the training that helped hone your talent. You can talk about the different clubs you joined as a junior, your consistent role as a teacher in church, or how you always made your sibling laugh while growing up. 

And if you are a strong member of the debate club, describe how your skills began as an outspoken child of the family.

3. Share your Skill Demonstration : Now, you can explain your many awards in the award section. Your skill as the best winger made your soccer team the reigning champion for years. Or how you organized several events as a junior in high school and the many awards you bagged for the debate club.

How to Write the University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #4 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #4: A significant educational opportunity is not just the high schools you attended. It is an educational platform that increases your experience as a student. Opportunities like advanced courses, a summer enrichment program, a debate club, and an unpaid internship with a physician, to name a few. 

Then, what were the barriers during these programs? It could be inadequate resources or physical or health challenges. How do you answer this question?

1. Showcase a Challenge not on Your UC Application : A student who previously had a learning disability will shine in this prompt. Remember that you have overcome this challenge, so you didn't indicate it in your personal data.

2. Be Vulnerable : It may sound unnecessary, but it will increase your chances. Explain how this challenge hindered your progress at the start of the educational opportunity. For example, your program may have been extended due to this barrier. 

3. Describe Your Success : Delve into how you overcame the challenge. Did you have to see a counselor? Did you join small study groups? Write about the specific events that led to your successful completion of such a program and how they helped shape who you are today.

How to Write University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #5 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #5: If you are familiar with supplemental essays , you will realize that most schools want to see your ability to handle challenges. The admission office wants to see this challenge and your approach to solving it. Here are tips for writing prompt #5 in the best way possible.

1. Be Real : To make a point, don't conjure a challenge you didn't go through. Choose the most significant challenge you experienced, even if it seems too minute. Every student will go through unexpected challenges. So, show UCSD that you will not run in the face of challenges.

2. Be Direct : While you may want to stick to multiple challenges, ensure you stick to one. Then, explain the one as much as you can. Describe how it affected you, given specific examples. 

3. Show Your Growth : You may lose some points if you fail to include your growth process during this challenge. Write about how you were able to come out of the situation stronger. Your answer should prove that if you come to any challenge, you will be ready to face it head-on and overcome it.

How to Write University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #6 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #6: This question begins with the keyword "academic" subject. This means you must not write about the novels you read during your leisure or the movies you discover. You may write about the textile creation course that inspired you as a medical student. 

The next step is to write about how you took the course and expanded your knowledge. Here's how to write this essay.

1. Show your Decision-making Ability : Many students can desire to pursue an interest, but it stays and remains an idea for a long time. But for you, you can show UCSD that you can decide to pursue your interests via this answer. By joining the literature summer class, you can pursue your literary interest as a maths student. 

2. Share the Lessons Learnt: Explain how your interest in this subject broadens your thinking process. For example, reading a book on history during a literature class informs you about things you were not privy to before. You can also talk about how this subject will spur you to join the creative writing club at UCSD. 

3. Use Specific Examples: Don’t overshare in one short UCSD essay prompt. If you pursue more than one academic subject, stick to one. You can showcase your decisiveness experience with one point. Pick one point and explain, staying within the word limit.

How to Write University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #7 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #7: This prompt seeks to discover how you contribute to your environment. Your interaction with your present school, home, or community shows what kind of future community member you’ll be. The admission officers expect to see your thoughtfulness, abilities, and impact during your contributions. So here are tips before you write.

1. Don't Exaggerate Your Role : While this prompt asks you to define your contributions, avoid bragging about it. Admission officers want to know about your workability. However, they also want to see that you are humble while working for the people. So, be sure to give a sincere description in this essay.

2. Describe your Inspiration : What spurred you to contribute? Was it a lingering problem in the street? Or a call for volunteers? This description shows that you have high emotional intelligence, boosting your chances of getting into UCSD. Also, you can write about how your inspiration increased your exposure to different areas in society.

3. Show your Team Spirit : This prompt is an opportunity to showcase your ability as a string team member, especially if you collaborated with others. For example, if you joined your school sanitation team to clean the dining weekly, that displays teamwork. 

How to Write the University of San Diego Supplemental Essay #8 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of Prompt #8: This prompt is an open question that requires any kind of answer. Hold on for a second. Think about it. What could be missing in the previous seven prompts? 

You can go ahead if you realize you have something to share that isn't covered in previous questions. Aim to answer the question, 'What makes you an excellent choice for UCSD?'

1. Share What Makes You Stand Out: This question is not an avenue to write about other extracurricular activities or events that are not significant to the school. It should focus on exceptional attributes and events. You can talk about a business you started during the holidays. 

2. Be Honest : The prompt is another opportunity to sell yourself. However, if you have done this in the previous questions, you need not answer prompt #8. So, don't be tempted to include information that isn't yours. 

Some ideas include writing about how you develop the ability to work under pressure, even as a student, or your ability to stay focused despite distractions in some study settings. 

Examples of the University of San Diego Supplemental Essays that Worked

After extensive explanations, the best next thing is to investigate practice examples of these essays. These essay samples were written by successful applicants at the University of San Diego. Let's go!

Sample Essay #1

Prompt : " Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time ."

Take a look at this sample.

"It was her fourth honor council. I sat on the committee for her third, which granted her one last chance. It was mid-April–just weeks before graduation, and she would walk across the stage with her diploma. The third honor council debated for hours about the best course of action. 

No student had ever been given four chances without separation from the school. One attendee argued for her future in retaining her college admission, while another suggested her negative impacts on the school community. After hours of debate, the honor council was split. It was left up to just a few of her peers to decide her fate. 

We reviewed her previous violation, and it appeared: “Any future violations of school rules will result in separation from the school”. I believe strongly in seeking to understand a person’s circumstances before drawing judgment, and I think there is great value in the second chance. Unfortunately, this student could not take responsibility after failing on multiple counts, and we eventually decided it would be best for the community if she separated from the school. She was allowed to receive her diploma with successful completion of online classes.

Hard decisions like these have been a driving factor in shaping my character and values caring for the greater good of the community. I faced discrimination as a person with learning differences, which prompted me to solve issues of inequity through leadership positions. I give back to the community by leading school discussions about acts of hate and aggression that happen on and off campus, and I strive to create diversity and inclusion by attracting new people to Norwich. 

I attempt to create a well-rounded incoming class of freshmen that will better the community and help to solve issues of discrimination and a lack of diversity on campus. Together, my roles have heavily aligned with my values of creating diversity and solving a wide range of issues on campus."

Why Essay #1 Worked

The first paragraph shows the author's role as a council member. This essay works because the author demonstrates their leadership skills and highlights an event expressing their qualities and characteristics.

Sample Essay #2

Prompt : " Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem-solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistic, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side."

An example of how you can showcase your creativity goes thus:

"I believe in the strength of words because I know the power that just one can hold. Most of the time, it begins like that: I hear a word in a song that isn’t there, and an idea blooms. That word gives the sentence new meaning and great potential blossoms. So, I use that new phrase to write a new song.

Sometimes, the title of a book or a phrase in it takes me to the same place of raw creativity and expressive fervor. Something specific - a certain je ne sais quoi in my frontal cortex, which has long been dubbed creativity’s hub - ignites a thought in me that allows me to transform a creative piece of work into one of my own, something original, something new. 

The main way I’m able to explore this creative metamorphosis is through the transportability I experience with books. I write poems for the strength of Briseis and compose songs for the endless halls Piranesi roams, not to mention for the nostalgic memories of Tsukuru Tasaki. All these characters, and more, inspire me with their stories. I can write based on things I may never face as well as ubiquitously occurring feelings I haven’t yet felt because I can relate to them by reading about them in books written by others who have experienced those things (well, most of them).

It’s as if someone has created a cover-to-cover world and allowed me to enter it, a world which once I finish its final page, belongs once again to the author or musician - to his or her own experiences and feelings - but a world that I, too, can create, one that feels like home to me. I can write as if I’ve lived under the sea and dive into a wide range of themes in a limitless, fantasy-like way. 

Being able to write in this fashion gives me complete freedom on the angle I wish to explore with each theme and gives each of these themes a sense of universality and relatability to the reader or at least that’s the goal."

Why Essay # 2 Worked

You can see this author's creativity in creating lyrics from different inspirations, including a book title. They can create original, unique poems and songs from everything and anything in this diverse world. It also describes their problem-solving skill, as the original music will solve another musician's problem.

Sample Essay #3

Prompt : " What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?"

This author carefully explains their greatest skill in the sample below.

"When it comes to rooms, I’m a “reader”. I find reading books helps me improve my ability to read rooms because books help me understand events and individuals outside of my day-to-day experiences. Yet, this skill can also be problematic. For example, when I got my wisdom teeth pulled, I read “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. 

With my face all puffy, I predicted two of the twist endings by pages 100-120 and found myself thoroughly disappointed (and somewhat proud) that they came to fruition simultaneously. Sometimes, it sucks to be right with this superpower.

Another activity that has augmented my talent for reading a room is traveling. Traveling improves my worldliness, which undoubtedly plays a key role in reading different people and situations. While living in Columbia, I found reading rooms initially difficult and thus felt vulnerable, as if my semi-psychic superpowers had been stripped away. But over time, I sensed my ability returning and even broadening as I ventured further outside my comfort bubble. 

Traveling within and outside Latin America has exposed me to multifarious cultures and peoples, which have each, in their own way, bolstered my ability to read the rooms around me into an even more potent superpower of being able to read rooms around the world.

Not only did I travel to others around the world to expand my horizons, but they also “traveled” to me via the Elders Support Initiative, a volunteer group directed toward helping senior citizens digitally during coronavirus. Conversing at length with such seasoned seniors helped grant me the perspective to understand them despite our differing worldviews from disparate epochs. Time allowed me to eventually read them and the (Zoom) room just the same, which made leading and organizing activities they’d like far easier and more successful.

Last but certainly not least, especially in today’s sociopolitical climate, reading rooms allow me to resolve conflicts and mediate problems between parties. However, my favorite part of being a “reader” is being the one to whom my friends always vent and with whom they share exciting news because they feel heard and understood by me."(351 words)

Why Essay #3 Worked

This essay works because of the engaging story about a room reading skill. It embodies communication skills, conflict mediation, and of course, reading skills. This author displays the development and three practical instances where this skill was useful. Any admission officer will read and connect with the author before the end. 

Sample Essay #4

Prompt : " Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced."

Check out this author's essay sample.

"The test covered L’Hopital’s Rule and Related Rates – something I knew I’d need extra time to complete. But there I was. Waiting in the classroom patiently with everyone else for Dr Robert to hand out the Honors Precalculus exam. I had been given a written contract for accommodations, but he didn’t care. 

This was the third time this had happened. I spoke to him about the extended time that I was entitled to the test before, yet here I was- again- in the same room as everyone else without any accommodations. Then he handed me my paper. I scribbled down my name as fast as possible to give myself enough time to maybe get two-thirds into the test without him grabbing it from my hands. 

I flew through L’Hopital’s rule through the constant sneezing, sniffing, and occasional cough from my neighbors. Did the person sitting next to me have COVID? It didn’t matter. What mattered was getting through as much math as possible within the time I was allowed. After finishing the first half, I looked over to my left– only to see the student next to me flipping to the last page of the test. 

Just as I started on the second half, I heard the disappointing “5 Minutes Left”. I quickly jotted down anything that came to mind for the remaining few minutes. I wrote as fast as possible until he came around and grabbed the test from underneath my pencil. I stood up and left the class full of frustration and anger. I found my friends, who had finished theirs 30 minutes early. I listened in frustration as they exclaimed, “That was the easiest test I’ve ever taken!”. 

I ran furiously to swim practice, thinking about the injustice I had faced – just like every test before. The next day in class, he handed back our tests. “What did you get?” “How did you do?” “98 – easiest test ever” “96 – I didn’t even study!”. Then he handed mine back. It was face down. I stared in agony at the back page with a large red “X” on the unattempted problems. 

I flipped it over, which only made it worse: “78%”. Nearly everything I had attempted on the test was correct. The remaining 22% were all unattempted problems. This happened many more times – “86”, “79”, “80”, “Did you attempt this problem?”, “Why didn’t you try this one?”. 

The end of the semester eventually came, and grades were finalized. “B+”. Nearly every problem I attempted on any quiz or test was mathematically correct, but I had run out of time on almost every assessment. It didn’t matter how good I truly was at Precalculus. What mattered to the teacher was what was down on the paper – an incomplete test. 

The frustration over the discrimination I faced in the classroom got so intense that I decided to write Dr. Robert one final email to let him know just how much his injustice in the classroom affected me. Knowing there was nothing I could do to help my grade, I furiously typed out every article about the ADA he violated and how unfair this truly was to me. My advocacy not only for myself, but for all students with learning differences made a big difference in the classroom, and in the second semester, I faced much less discrimination." (555 words)

Why Essay #4 Worked

In this sample, the author describes a challenge quite common among students in the university. After stating the barrier, they describe the pain, shame, and discrimination this barrier had caused. It works because it shows their ability to persist till there's a solution in the face of challenges.

Sample Essay #6

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

Here's what this author has to say about pursuing an academic interest. 

"The assignment was to scrape and organize many DNA sequences from a database. It was late on a Sunday night, and I hadn’t started the assignment. I opened my laptop and saw the article I had been reading earlier that day. “Coronavirus has now killed 250 thousand people in the United States”. I moved it aside to start the project that was due the next morning. 

After spending hours finding creative ways to scrape the data I desired, I began debugging. I spent another hour tirelessly fixing problems that wouldn't allow my code to run. I turned back to the web to see if Stack Overflow had the answers to my questions. Then I saw it again: “Coronavirus has now killed 250 thousand people in the United States”. 

I put it aside but pondered how I could apply web scraping to a real-world crisis like COVID-19. I began debugging but was overtaken by my curiosity. I diverged from my school project and began writing code to scrape a COVID database and organize it into data frames. Eventually, after scraping tons of data, I glanced at the clock: 4 AM, and I still had not finished my assignment. 

It was time to get to work. I drudged through another hour of debugging and eventually finished. I glanced outside my window and saw bright beams of sunlight poking through the dense fog on the mountains, so I quickly grabbed my things and ran out the door for school.

 I was energized by the real-world application of what I was learning in my directed study, “Using Python for Research.” It inspired me to continue taking courses in addition to those offered at my school, such as “Analyzing Data with R” and “Multivariable Calculus.”

Why Essay #6 Worked off

Most schools offer different courses outside your major course. In this essay, the author, a medical student studying DNA sequences, chose to pursue an interest in programming languages. This essay sample works because the author learned and used her newly acquired knowledge to solve a problem.

Sample Essay #7

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

Here's how to write UCSD essay Prompt #7.

"Whatever your expectations of my musical talents are, just throw them on the ground,” said my brother as he prepared to play the bagpipes for Treasure Talent Hunt, our school’s talent competition. Although I admit my brother’s bagpipe playing wasn’t entirely musical, hearing him make the entire student body laugh was music to my ears after two and a half years without social activities. 

For me, school is more than didactic education. It’s a community, and my goal is always to increase camaraderie and boost our collective spirit.  Last year, we returned to in-person classes, but the only social event we held was the prom. My disappointment in the lack of extracurricular events moved me to make a change. 

As student body vice president, my mission has been to increase the number of programs my school sponsors. I enjoy gathering feedback and ideas from my schoolmates and bringing them to the council to discuss, but generating ideas is only part of the fun. Last year was chaotic, as everyone on the student council performed the same task regardless of their position. To offer more events, I felt it was important for the student council members to have clearly defined roles and responsibilities, so I set expectations. 

In planning the Treasure Talent Hunt. I delegated to the spirit coordinators the registration of participants and the organization of the events, and to the class representatives the purchase of the drinks and snacks, which the treasurer reimbursed. The whole school turned out for the event and cheered on their performing classmates. Everybody cheered for the eight students performing at Treasure Talent Hunt.

In my first few months leading the student council, I also organized seven new social events, including homecoming festivities and spirit week, which were met with equal enthusiasm from the student population. I slowly noticed a palpable change in the camaraderie among my schoolmates, as they now have more opportunities to reconnect with each other. While my brother might not expect much from his music, I expect to rebuild our school community one event at a time.

Why Essay #7 Worked

The author discusses her participation in bringing back a talent competition, an extracurricular activity. They define how the enthusiasm and cheering spirit was brought back to school via her initiative. The admissions officers reading this essay will likely stand for this student before the university.

Get More Sample Essays Here!

These sample essays have helped broaden your thoughts, no doubt. If you want more of these, check out our extensive essay database.

FAQs: How to Write the University of San Diego Supplemental Essays 

Perhaps we couldn't answer all your questions, here are some common questions regarding the University of San Diego supplemental essays.

1. How Important Are Essays For the University of San Diego? 

Essays are very important in the University of San Diego's application process. They allow you to showcase your personality, experiences, and skills, helping the admissions committee understand you beyond your academic achievements.

2. How Many Essays Does UCSD Require?

You need to write four UCSD essays. Generally, UCSD provides eight personal insight essays as part of the University of California application.

3. Which UC Essay Should I Write?

Choose the questions that allow you to provide unique answers best. Your essay should resonate with your story and provide a comprehensive picture of yourself.

4. How Long Should University of San Diego Essays Be?

Your University of San Diego essay should not exceed 350 words. Remember to adhere to each limit, as adhering demonstrates your ability to follow instructions and effectively communicate your ideas.

Final Thoughts

When you started reading this guide, the prompts may have seemed daunting. By now, you should see each essay prompt as an opportunity to demonstrate your personality beyond your grades and test scores.

Take your time to craft, edit, and write compelling University of San Diego supplemental essays today. 

Get A Free Consultation

You may also like.

How Long Are SAT Scores Valid?

When Do MIT Decisions Come Out?

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the University of California Essays 2023-2024

The University of California (UC) school system is the most prestigious state university system in the United States and includes nine undergraduate universities: UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Merced, and UC Irvine.

The University of California system has its own application portal, as well as its own deadline of November 30th—a full month before the Common Application is due. All nine universities use one application, so it is easy to apply to multiple UCs at the same time. 

The application requires you to answer four of eight personal insight questions, with a 350-word limit on each prompt. This may seem daunting at first, but we provide this guide to make the prompts more approachable and to help you effectively tackle them! 

University of California Application Essay Prompts

Note: There is only one application for all the UC schools, so your responses will be sent to every University of California school that you apply to. You should avoid making essays school-specific (unless you are applying to only one school).

You might want to start by deciding which four of the eight prompts you plan on answering. The eight prompts are:

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., 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. think about an academic subject that inspires you. describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom., 7. what have you done to make your school or your community a better place, 8. beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the university of california.

As you begin selecting prompts, keep the purpose of college essays at the forefront of your mind. College essays are the place to humanize yourself and transform your test scores, GPA, and extracurriculars into a living, breathing human with values, ambitions, and a backstory. If a specific prompt will allow you to show a part of who you are that is not showcased in the rest of your application, start there. 

If nothing immediately jumps out at you, try dividing the prompts into three categories: “definites,” “possibilities,” and “avoids at all costs.” “Definites” will be prompts that quickly spark up a specific idea in you. “Possibilities” might elicit a few loose concepts, anecdotes, or structures. And “avoids” are prompts where you honestly cannot see yourself writing a convincing essay. Next, take your “definites” and “possibilities” and jot down your initial thoughts about them. Finally, look at all of your ideas together and decide which combination would produce the most well-rounded essay profile that shows who you are as an individual.

Of course, this is just one way to approach choosing prompts if you are stuck. Some students might prefer writing out a list of their values, identifying the most important ones in their life, then figuring out how to showcase those through the prompts. Other students select prompts based on what they are excited by or through freewriting on every prompt first. Do not feel constrained by any one method. Just remember:

• Do not rush into prompts at first glance (though trial writing can be very valuable!).
• Make sure that you consider potential ideas for many prompts before making final decisions, and ultimately write about the one with the most substance.
• The prompts you select should allow you to highlight what is most important to you.

Check out our video to learn more about how to write the UC essays!

The 8 UC Personal Insight Questions

“Leadership Experience” is often a subheading on student resumes, but that is not what admissions officers are asking about here. They are asking for you to tell them a specific story of a time when your leadership truly mattered. This could include discussing the policies you enacted as president of a school club or the social ties you helped establish as captain of a sports team, but this prompt also gives you the freedom to go past that.

Leaders are individuals with strong values, who mentor, inspire, correct, and assist those around them. If you don’t feel like you’ve ever been a leader, consider the following questions:

• Have you ever mentored anyone? Is there anyone younger than you who would not be the person they are today without you?
• Have you ever taken the initiative? When and why did it matter?
• Have you ever been fundamental to positive change in the world—whether it be on the small scale of positively impacting a family member’s life or on the large scale of trying to change the status of specific communities/identities in this world?
• Have you ever stood up for what’s right or what you believe in?

Leadership is a concept that can be stretched, bent, and played with, but at the end of the day, the central theme of your essay must be leadership. Keeping this in mind, after your first draft, it can be helpful to identify the definition of leadership that you are working with, to keep your essay cohesive. This definition doesn’t need to appear within the essay (though, if you take on a more reflective structure, it might). Some examples of this include “being a positive role model as leadership,” “encouraging others to take risks as leadership,” and “embracing my identities as leadership.”

Here are some examples of how a leadership essay might look:

• You’ve always loved learning and challenging yourself, but when you got to high school it was clear that only a certain type of student was recommended to take AP classes and you didn’t fit into that type. You presented a strong case to the school counselors that you were just as prepared for AP classes as anyone else, enrolled in your desired classes, and excelled. Since then, AP classes have become more diversified at your school and there has even been a new inclusion training introduced for your district’s school counselors. 
• When you were working as a camp counselor, the art teacher brought you two of your campers who were refusing to get along. To mediate the conflict, you spent long hours before bed talking to them individually, learning about their personal lives and family situation. By understanding where each camper came from, you were better equipped to help them reach a compromise and became a role model for both campers.
• As a member of your school’s Chinese organization, you were driven by your ethnic heritage to devote your lunch breaks to ensuring the smooth presentation of the Chinese culture show. You coordinated the performers, prepared refreshments, and collected tickets. You got through a great performance, even though a performer didn’t show and some of the food was delivered late. You weren’t on the leadership board or anything, but exhibited serious leadership, as both nights of the culture show sold out and hundreds of both Chinese and non-Chinese people were able to come together and celebrate your culture.

Like the last prompt, this prompt asks about a specific topic—creativity—but gives you wiggle room to expand your definition of that topic. By defining creativity as problem-solving, novel thinking, and artistic expression, this prompt basically says “get creative in how you define creativity!” 

Additionally, this broad conception of creativity lets you choose if you want to write about your personal life or your academic life. A robotics student could write about their love of baking on the weekends or their quick thinking during a technical interview. A dance student could write about their love of adapting choreography from famous ballets or their innovative solution to their dance team’s lack of funds for their showcase. You have space to do what you want!

That said, because this prompt is so open, it is important to establish a focus early on. Try thinking about what is missing from your application. If you are worried that your application makes you seem hyper-academic, use this prompt to show how you have fun. If you are worried that you might be appearing like one of those students who just gets good grades because they have a good memory, use this prompt to show off your problem-solving skills.

Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to describe any skill in creative pursuits as you answer this prompt. The prompt asks you how you express your “creative side,” alluding to creative instinct, not creative talent. You could write about how you use painting to let out your emotions—but your paintings aren’t very good. You could write about dancing in the shower to get excited for your day—but one time you slipped and fell and hurt your elbow. Experiences like these could make for a great reflective essay, where you explore the human drive towards creative expression and your acceptance that you personally don’t have to be creatively inclined to let out creative energy.

Some examples:

• A math student writing about a time they devised a non-textbook method to proving theorems 
• A creative writer describing how they close-read the ups-and-downs of classical music as an attempt to combat writers’ block and think of emotional trajectories for new stories
• An engineering student writing about cooking as a creative release where numbers don’t matter and intuition supersedes reason
• A psychology student writing about the limitations of quantitative data and describing a future approach to psychology that merges humanism and empiricism.

This is the kind of prompt where an answer either pops into your head or it doesn’t. The good news is that you can write a convincing essay either way. We all have great talents and skills—you just might have to dig a bit to identify the name of the talent/skill and figure out how to best describe it.

Some students have more obvious talents and skills than others. For example, if you are intending to be a college athlete, it makes sense to see your skill at your sport as your greatest talent or skill. Similarly, if you are being accepted into a highly-selective fine arts program, painting might feel like your greatest talent. These are completely reasonable to write about because, while obvious, they are also authentic! 

The key to writing a convincing essay about an obvious skill is to use that skill to explore your personality, values, motivations, and ambitions. Start by considering what first drew you to your specialization. Was there a specific person? Something your life was missing that painting, hockey, or film satisfied? Were you brought up playing your sport or doing your craft because your parents wanted you to and you had to learn to love it? Or choose to love it? What was that process like? What do these experiences say about you? Next, consider how your relationship with your talent has evolved. Have you doubted your devotion at times? Have you wondered if you are good enough? Why do you keep going? On the other hand, is your talent your solace? The stable element in your life? Why do you need that?

The key is to elucidate why this activity is worth putting all your time into, and how your personality strengths are exhibited through your relationship to the activity. 

Do not be put off by this prompt if you have not won any big awards or shown immense talent in something specific. All the prompt asks for is what you think is your greatest talent or skill. Some avenues of consideration for other students include:

• Think about aspects of your personality that might be considered a talent or skill. This might include being a peacemaker, being able to make people laugh during hard times, or having organization skills.
• Think about unique skills that you have developed through unique situations. These would be things like being really good at reading out loud because you spend summers with your grandfather who can no longer read, knowing traffic patterns because you volunteer as a crossing guard at the elementary school across the street that starts 45 minutes before the high school, or making really good pierogi because your babysitter as a child was Polish.
• Think about lessons you have learned through life experiences. A military baby might have a great skill for making new friends at new schools, a child of divorce might reflect on their ability to establish boundaries in what they are willing to communicate about with different people, and a student who has had to have multiple jobs in high school might be talented at multitasking and scheduling. 

Make sure to also address how you have developed and demonstrated your selected talent. Do you put in small amounts of practice every day, or strenuous hours for a couple of short periods each year? Did a specific period of your life lead to the development of your talent or are you still developing it daily? 

The purpose of college essays is to show your values and personality to admissions officers, which often includes exploring your past and how it informs your present and future. With a bit of creativity in how you define a “talent or skill,” this prompt can provide a great avenue for that exploration. 

This prompt offers you two potential paths—discussing an educational opportunity or barrier. It is important that you limit yourself to one of these paths of exploration to keep your essay focused and cohesive. 

Starting with the first option, you should think of an educational opportunity as anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for life and your career. Some examples could include:

• participation in an honors program
• enrollment in an academy geared toward your future profession
• a particularly enlightening conversation with a professional or teacher
• joining a cultural- or interest-based student coalition
• plenty of other opportunities

The phrasing “taken advantage of” implies the admissions committee’s desire for students who take the initiative. Admissions officers are more interested in students who sought out opportunities and who fought to engage with opportunities than students who were handed things. For example, a student who joined a career-advancement afterschool program in middle school could write about why they were initially interested in the program—perhaps they were struggling in a specific subject and didn’t want to fall behind because they had their sights set on getting into National Junior Honor Society, or their friend mentioned that the program facilitated internship opportunities and they thought they wanted to explore therapy as a potential career path.

On the other hand, if an opportunity was handed to you through family connections or a fortuitous introduction, explore what you did with that opportunity. For example, if a family member introduced you to an important producer because they knew you were interested in film, you could write about the notes you took during that meeting and how you have revisited the producer’s advice and used it since the meeting to find cheap equipment rentals and practice your craft.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you have faced, consider the personal characteristics and skills you called upon to overcome the challenge. How did the process of overcoming your educational barrier shape you as a person? What did you learn about yourself or the world? An added plus would be talking about passing it forward and helping those in your purview obtain the knowledge you did from your experiences.

Some examples of educational barriers could include:

• limited access to resources, materials, technology, or classes
• lacking educational role models
• struggles with deciding on a passion or career path
• financial struggles

One example of an interesting essay about educational barriers:

As a student at a school that did not offer any honors classes, you enrolled in online lectures to learn the subject you were passionate about — Human Geography. Afterward, you spoke to your school administrators about high-achieving students needing higher-level courses, and they agreed to talk to the local community college to start a pipeline for students like you.

Either way that you take this prompt, it can be used to position yourself as motivated and driven—exactly the type of student admissions officers are looking for!

This prompt is three-pronged. You must 1) identify a challenge 2) describe the steps you have taken to overcome the challenge and 3) connect the challenge to your academic achievement.

When approaching this prompt, it is best to consider these first and third aspects together so that you identify a challenge that connects to your academic life. If you simply pick any challenge you have experienced, when you get to the third part of the prompt, you may have to stretch your essay in ways that are unconvincing or feel inauthentic.

That said, remember that “academic achievement” reaches far beyond grades and exams. It can include things like:

• Deciding your career goals
• Balancing homework, jobs, and social/familial relationships
• Having enough time to devote to self-care
• Figuring out how you study/learn best
• Feeling comfortable asking for help when you need it

You should begin brainstorming challenges and hardships that you have experienced and overcome. These could include financial hardships, familial circumstances, personal illness, or learning disabilities. Challenges could also be less structural—things like feeling like you are living in a sibling’s shadow, struggles with body image, or insecurity. While it is important that your challenge was significant, it matters much more that you discuss your challenge with thoughtful reflection and maturity.

Some ways to take this prompt include:

• Writing about how overcoming a challenge taught you a skill that led to academic success — for example, a high-achieving student who struggles with anxiety was forced to take time off from school after an anxiety attack and learned the importance of giving oneself a break
• Writing about a challenge that temporarily hindered your academic success and reflecting on it — for example, a student who experienced a death in the family could have had a semester where they almost failed English because reading led to negative thought spirals instead of plot retention
• Writing about how a challenge humbled you and gave you a new perspective on your academics — for example, a student with a part-time job who helps support her family missed a shift because she was studying for a test and realized that she needed to ask her teachers for help and explain her home situation

As you describe the steps you have taken to overcome your selected challenge, you will want to include both tangible and intangible steps. This means that you will need to discuss your emotions, growth, and development, as well as what you learned through overcoming the challenge. Was your challenge easy to overcome or did it take a few tries? Do you feel you have fully overcome your challenge or is it a work in progress? If you have fully overcome the challenge, what do you do differently now? Or do you just see things differently now? If you were to experience the same challenge again, what would you have learned from before?

Here are some detailed examples:

• Your parents underwent a bitter, drawn-out divorce that deeply scarred you and your siblings, especially your little brother who was attending elementary school at the time. He was constantly distraught and melancholy and seemed to be falling further and further behind in his schoolwork. You took care of him, but at the cost of your grades plummeting. However, through this trial, you committed yourself to protecting your family at all costs. You focused on computer science in high school, hoping to major in it and save up enough money for his college tuition by the time he applies. Through this mission, your resolve strengthened and reflected in your more efficient and excellent performance in class later on.
• Your race was the most significant challenge you faced growing up. In school, teachers did not value your opinion nor did they believe in you, as evidenced by their preferential treatment of students of other races. To fight back against this discrimination, you talked to other students of the same race and established an association, pooling together resources and providing a supportive network of people to others in need of counseling regarding this issue.

The first step for approaching this prompt is fun and easy—think about an academic subject that inspires you. This part of the essay is about emotional resonance, so go with your gut and don’t overthink it. What is your favorite subject? What subject do you engage with in the media in your free time? What subject seeps into your conversations with friends and family on the weekends?

Keep in mind that high school subjects are often rather limited. The span of “academic subjects” at the university level is much less limited. Some examples of academic subjects include eighteenth-century literature, political diplomacy, astronomy, Italian film and television, botany, Jewish culture and history, mobile robotics, musical theater, race and class in urban environments, gender and sexuality, and much more.

Once you’ve decided what subject you are most interested in and inspired by, think about a tangible example of how you have furthered your interest in the subject. Some common ways students further their interests include:

• Reading about your interest
• Engaging with media (television, film, social media) about your interest
• Volunteering with organizations related to your interest
• Founding organizations related to your interest
• Reaching out to professionals with your academic interest
• Using your interest in interdisciplinary ways
• Research in your field of interest
• Internships in your field of interest

While you should include these kinds of tangible examples, do not forget to explain how your love for the subject drives the work you do, because, with an essay like this, the why can easily get lost in describing the what . Admissions officers need both.

A few examples:

• You found your US government class fascinatingly complex, so you decided to campaign for a Congressional candidate who was challenging the incumbent in your district. You canvassed in your local community, worked at the campaign headquarters, and gathered voter data whilst performing various administrative duties. Though the work was difficult, you enjoyed a sense of fulfillment that came from being part of history.
• Last year you fell in love with the play Suddenly Last Summer and decided to see what career paths were available for dramatic writing. You reached out to the contact on your local theater’s website, were invited to start attending their guest lecturer series, and introduced yourself to a lecturer one week who ended up helping you score a spot in a Young Dramatic Writers group downtown.
• The regenerative power of cells amazed you, so you decided to take AP Biology to learn more. Eventually, you mustered up the courage to email a cohort of biology professors at your local university. One professor responded, and agreed to let you assist his research for the next few months on the microorganism C. Elegans.
• You continued to develop apps and games even after AP Computer Science concluded for the year. Eventually, you became good enough to land an internship at a local startup due to your self-taught knowledge of various programming languages.

With regards to structure, you might try thinking about this essay in a past/present/future manner where you consider your past engagement with your interest and how it will affect your future at a UC school or as an adult in society. This essay could also become an anecdotal/narrative essay that centers around the story of you discovering your academic interest, or a reflective essay that dives deep into the details of why you are drawn to your particular academic subject.

Whatever way you take it, try to make your essay unique—either through your subject matter, your structure, or your writing style!

College essay prompts often engage with the word “community.” As an essay writer, it is important to recognize that your community can be as large, small, formal, or informal as you want it to be. Your school is obviously a community you belong to, but your local grocery store, the nearby pet adoption center you volunteer at, your apartment building, or an internet group can also be communities. Even larger social groups that you are a part of, like your country or your ethnicity, can be a community. 

The important part of your response here is not the community you identify with but rather the way you describe your role in that community. What do you bring to your community that is special? What would be missing without you?

Some responses could include describing how you serve as a role model in your community, how you advocate for change in your community, how you are a support system for other community members, or how you correct the community when it is veering away from its values and principles.

Here are some fleshed-out examples of how this essay could take shape, using the earlier referenced communities:

• A student writes about the local grocery store in his neighborhood. Each Sunday, he picks up his family’s groceries and then goes to the pharmacy in the back to get his grandmother’s medication. The pharmacist was a close friend of his grandmother’s when she was young, so the student routinely gives the pharmacist a detailed update about his grandmother’s life. The student recognizes the value in his serving as a link to connect these two individuals who, due to aging, cannot be together physically.
• An animal-loving student volunteers one Saturday each month at the pet adoption center in their city’s downtown district. They have always been an extremely compassionate person and view the young kittens as a community that deserves to be cared for. This caring instinct also contributes to their interactions with their peers and their desire to make large-scale positive social change in the world.

Your response to this prompt will be convincing if you discuss your underlying motives for the service you have done, and in turn, demonstrate the positive influence you have made. That said, do not be afraid to talk about your actions even if they did not produce a sweeping change; as long as the effort was genuine, change is change, no matter the scale. This essay is more about values and reflection than it is about the effects of your efforts.

Lastly, if you are discussing a specific service you did for your community, you might want to touch on what you learned through your service action or initiative, and how you will continue to learn in the future. Here are a few examples:

• Passionate about classical music, you created a club that taught classical and instrumental music at local elementary schools. You knew that the kids did not have access to such resources, so you wanted to broaden their exposure as a high school senior had done for you when you were in middle school. You encouraged these elementary schoolers to fiddle with the instruments and lobbied for a music program to be implemented at the school. Whether the proposal gets approved or not, the kids have now known something they might never have known otherwise.
• Working at your local library was mundane at times, but in the long run, you realized that you were facilitating the exchange of knowledge and protecting the intellectual property of eminent scholars. Over time, you found ways to liven up the spirit of the library by leading arts and crafts time and booking puppet shows for little kids whose parents were still at work. The deep relationships you forged with the kids eventually blossomed into a bond of mentorship and mutual respect.

Be authentic and humble in your response to this essay! Make sure it feels like you made your community a better place because community is a value of yours, not just so that you could write about it in a college essay.

This is the most open-ended any question can get. You have the freedom to write about anything you want! That said, make sure that, no matter what you do with this prompt, your focus can be summarized into two sentences that describe the uniqueness of your candidacy.

The process we recommend for responding to open-ended prompts with clarity involves the following steps:

1. On a blank piece of paper, jot down any and every idea — feelings, phrases, and keywords — that pop into your head after reading this prompt. Why are you unique?

2. Narrow your ideas down to one topic. The two examples we will use are a student writing about how her habit of pausing at least five seconds before she responds to someone else’s opinion is emblematic of her thoughtfulness and a student whose interest in researching the history of colonialism in the Caribbean is emblematic of their commitment to justice.

3. Outline the structure of your essay, and plan out content for an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

4. Before you start writing your essay, write one or two sentences that summarize how you would like the admissions officers to perceive you based on this essay. These sentences will not be in your final product, but will help you to maintain a focus. For our examples, this would be something like “Natalie’s habit of gathering her thoughts before responding to other people’s opinions allows her to avoid undesired complications and miscommunications in her social interactions. This has not only helped her maintain strong relationships with all the staff members of the clubs she leads, but will also help her navigate the social environments that she will face in the professional world.” A summary for the student writing about their interest in the history of colonialism could be “Jonathan has always been highly compassionate and sympathetic by nature. When they found out about the historical injustices of colonialism in the Caribbean through the book The Black Jacobins , they realized that compassion is what is missing from politics. Now, they are inspired to pursue a political science degree to ultimately have a political career guided by compassion.”

5. Finally, write an essay dedicated to constructing the image you devised in step 4. This can be achieved through a number of different structures! For example, Natalie could use an anecdote of a time when she spoke too soon and caused someone else pain, then could reflect on how she learned the lesson to take at least five seconds before responding and how that decision has affected her life. Jonathan could create an image of the future where they are enacting local policies based on compassion. It is important to keep in mind that you do not want to be repetitive, but you must stay on topic so that admissions officers do not get distracted and forget the image that you are attempting to convey.

As exemplified by the examples we provided, a good way to approach this prompt is to think of a quality, value, or personality trait of yours that is fundamental to who you are and appealing to admissions officers, then connect it to a specific activity, habit, pet peeve, anecdote, or another tangible example that you can use to ground your essay in reality. Use the tangible to describe the abstract, and convince admissions officers that you would be a valuable asset to their UC school!

Where to Get Your UC Essays Edited

With hundreds of thousands of applicants each year, many receiving top scores and grades, getting into top UC schools is no small feat. This is why excelling in the personal-insight questions is key to presenting yourself as a worthwhile candidate. Answering these prompts can be difficult, but ultimately very rewarding, and CollegeVine is committed to helping you along that journey. Check out these UC essay examples for more writing inspiration.

If you want to get your essays edited, we also have free peer essay review , where you can get feedback from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by editing other students’ essays.

You can also receive expert essay review by advisors who have helped students get into their dream schools. You can book a review with an expert to receive notes on your topic, grammar, and essay structure to make your essay stand out to admissions officers. Haven’t started writing your essay yet? Advisors on CollegeVine also offer  expert college counseling packages . You can purchase a package to get one-on-one guidance on any aspect of the college application process, including brainstorming and writing essays.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Integrated website and mobile app for ALL college application requirements

• Testimonials
• News and Tips
• FAQs / Help

Favorite 2020 New Essay Prompts #2: University of San Diego

“ The University of San Diego offers diverse educational opportunities grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. First-year students are immersed in one of our five Learning Communities (LC), with the themes reflecting the vitality of the liberal arts tradition: Advocate, Collaborate, Cultivate, Illuminate and Innovate. Select one of these five themes and describe how it resonates with you and why. 

Learning communities really help all students get connected and empowered. It’s awesome they can share their own perspectives and connect them to USD’s themes.

In our website and app, we list all essay requirements along with their length and format. USD’s essay is (Required, 150-350 words, Paste in or Google Doc Share).  We also tell you where it’s located: Questions: Other Information. 

In addition, we have the other USD writing supplemental essays that give applicants three choices, We provide each college’s application deadlines, campus enrollment, and testing, interview, and recommendation requirements.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Creative Marbles Consultancy

Education is an investment to be considered wisely., university of san diego supplement essay defined.

Photo Credit: University of San Diego

Related Posts

The Wealth of Living True

Prestige = Self-Worth?

Summer Strategies for Stressed-Out Rising Seniors: Relax, Recharge, and Rock Your College Apps

About jill yoshikawa, ed m, partner of creative marbles consultancy.

* indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name About Me:

Home — Application Essay — University — University of San Diego

University of San Diego Admission Essays

Diversity and personal growth at the university of san diego.

I am driven by the desire to expand my horizons, challenge myself, and embrace the transformative power of diversity. It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application to the University of San Diego as I believe it embodies the perfect environment for me…

The Surfer and the Seal: College Admission Essay Sample

I stared deep into the dark green eyes of the seal that was lying on my surf board. She looked as if she were trying to tell me something. Her glossy grey coat glowed in the moonlight, and her whiskers twitched in the sea breeze….

The Heart of Healthcare

As someone who is passionate about making a positive impact on the world and improving the health of those around me, I am excited about the opportunity to pursue a career in nursing. Throughout my life, I have been drawn to caring for others and…

Forget-me-not: College Admission Essay Sample

Her hands were as tough as leather, but they felt like velvet to me. She smelled unlike most grandmothers, constantly encompassed by a pungent aroma of fresh mimosas and blooming marigolds. I think it was her eyes that captivated me most as a young girl,…

Get professional help in 5 minutes

— EST. 1949 —

8,905 Students

5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110-2492

Selected filters

Universities

• American University
• University of Colorado - Boulder
• University of Michigan
• University of Miami
• University of Maryland, College Park
• Rutgers University
• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
• Wesleyan University
• Rice University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

• Medical School Application

UCSD Secondary Essay Prompts & Examples

The University of California San Diego (UCSD) secondary essays can help you stand out among thousands of applicants to this highly competitive medical school. In our blog, we will go over UCSD secondary prompts and sample essays and give you tips for how to craft outstanding supplemental essays for your application!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Listen to the blog!

Article Contents 9 min read

Medical school secondary essays  are designed to provide admissions committees with additional information on an applicant's suitability for a career in medicine. They use this information to whittle down the pile of applicants into a select number that will be invited to continue through the admission process. As students are likely to receive secondary application requests from a handful of schools in a similar timeframe, students should begin working on their applications ahead of time. 

 The University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine is extremely competitive, receiving approximately 8000 applicants each year that compete for only 110 spots in the MD program. With a success rate of only 1.37%, students must ensure their UCSD secondary essays stand out. The difficult autobiographical sketch requires students to dig deep and construct an essay describing their motivations, accomplishments, and hardships in their journey to medicine. With up to 6000 characters to play with, this essay is even longer than the medical school personal statement. In this blog, you'll learn everything you need to know about the UCSD secondary application and you'll have the chance to review secondary essay prompts and examples.

The UCSD MD program's mission is to “provide cutting edge resources and education to our students so they may grow into innovative and compassionate physicians, focused on providing superior medical care to the global community.” With a new curriculum, the school aims to provide its graduates with the knowledge, skills, behaviors, and attitudes necessary to become capable and compassionate doctors.

MD PhD vs MD

The joint MD/PhD program is offered through the Medical Scientist Training Program for students who wish to pursue both research and medicine at the same time. The program's mission is to “provide students with the breadth and depth of training necessary to excel as academic physicians. The curriculum combines classroom and clinical training in the UCSD School of Medicine with research in a Graduate Department.”

Program in Medical Education – Health Equity (PRIME-HEQ)

The PRIME – HEQ program is designed to train physicians to meet the needs of underserved populations within California. The program's mission is to “develop leaders to eliminate health disparities in their communities, our nation, and the world.” Students admitted into this program will have the opportunity to identify and work with populations or communities at risk.

The GHAC's mission is to “provide medical students with the knowledge, experiences, and resources needed to prepare them for careers in Global Health by learning about complexities and challenges of global healthcare delivery, ethics of doing Global Health research, and socio-structural bases of health inequities.” Students involved in this stream have the opportunity to complete an international research experience and clinical rotation abroad. Students can apply to this track if they've been invited to complete a secondary application, however, only five students from the applicant pool will be selected.

UCSD School of Medicine (SOM) does not send out secondary applications to all applicants, instead, they use primary applications as a way to screen applicants and choose who will progress to the next stage of the admissions process. Once a secondary application invitation has been sent, students will have one month to complete and submit their application. Students enrolled in the MD-PhD programs , however, will only be given two weeks to return their completed application. Those that did not receive secondary application invitations will still be considered during a potential second round of review and invitation that occurs in January. Once students return their secondary applications, they may be invited to participate in a MMI, be put on hold for an interview, or they may not be asked to continue further. UCSD's secondary application fee is $120.

UCSD Application Timeline:

Offers of admission "}]">

UCSD Essay Prompts

While there are many medical school secondary essay examples , UCSD secondary applications contain both required and optional essays depending on an applicant's program of interest. 

1. Autobiographical Sketch

This should be a true autobiographical statement. Topics to be included are family, childhood, primary and secondary school years, undergraduate years, and, if applicable, what you’ve done since completing your bachelor’s degree. You should also discuss the motivational factors which led you to a career in medicine including any disadvantages or obstacles which might put your accomplishments into context. Looking over medical school personal statement examples may help you get some ideas, but a repeat of your AMCAS statement will not be acceptable. (6000 characters)

Please note: if you are applying to the MD/PhD program, please include why you are specifically interested in seeking MD/PhD training at UCSD.

2. Some medical school applicants are already focused on pursuing a particular career pathway in medicine. While many students will change from this pathway during medical school, knowing of your potential interests does help us to assign interviewers. Your choice below does not influence how the Admissions Committee selects students to interview.

Please select from one of the career pathways listed below. In addition to this selection, please provide a brief description of your future career goals. (400 characters)

• Academic Medicine (Working as a faculty member at a School of Medicine either as a clinician, a clinician-educator, or a clinician investigator. This could be in any field of medicine)
• Primary Care and/or work in underserved communities (Working as a general internist, a pediatrician, or a family medicine physician and/or spending the majority of your time working in a community currently underserved by the medical profession)
• Public Health, administrative leadership in medicine (Pursuing an MPH and/or working for a public health department or organization; working in health care policy; working as a hospital administrator)
• Specialist in private practice (Working in a private practice or managed care setting as a subspecialist. Examples include cardiologist, infectious disease specialist, obstetrician, orthopedic surgeon, general surgeon, anaesthesiologist, radiologist)
• Other/undecided

1. Please describe your interest in the PRIME-HEq program. Topics to include are longitudinal experiences that you’ve had with underserved communities, including the type of community that you’ve worked with and your level of involvement. Additionally, you should discuss the length of time that you’ve spent working in these communities. (OPTIONAL)

2. Global Health Academic Concentration: Please describe your interest in Global Health. The term Global Health can have many meanings; for our purposes, we find the definition provided by Koplan et. al. in their 2009 Lancet publication useful: “the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide”. In your essay, be sure to describe any personal or professional experiences that have shaped your interests, and how Global Health issues have influenced your decision to pursue a career in medicine. (OPTIONAL)

3. Please describe your interest in the MAS-Clinical Research program. Topics to include are your previous experience with clinical and/or translational research, your role within the research group, and what you envision for a career that includes clinical and/or translational research. A letter of recommendation from the individual supervising your previous experience is helpful but not required. (OPTIONAL)

“I can see in the dark! I can see in the dark!” screamed the formerly blind child as she ran around on a dimly lit street late at night. Watching her excitement on a video clip through tears, I could not help but feel immeasurable joy and think, “A week and a half ago, she could not see. Medicine did this.” As a current clinical research associate for the Vision Center team at Children’s Hospital of San Francisco, we provide the first-ever FDA-approved gene therapy that corrects a genetic defect of children who suffer from blindness due to Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis. I am a part of this team because of the family I come from, the values that they instilled in me, and the opportunities I pursued because of these values.

I come from three generations of immigrants. From displacement by the Armenian Genocide to resettlement in Soviet Armenia, to immigration to Los Angeles, CA, with each generation of movement came generations of stories. These stories contained pain from which I learned empathy, hope from which I learned resilience, and the pursuit of progress from which I learned perseverance. Most importantly, these stories taught me what it means to be a good listener and to be respectful. Using these anecdotes and my ethnic background as my foundation, I developed a desire to understand other cultures.

While in high school, I joined a non-profit group that aims to empower women who are in cooperatives in Tabasco, Mexico by selling their hand-made artisan goods. During my junior year, I had the opportunity to travel to Tabasco and meet with the women who made these beautiful, ornate pieces. After learning about their lives and seeing the appreciation they had towards us, I knew I needed to be in a field where I could expand my understanding of human cultures and behavior.

While majoring in physical anthropology in college, I worked as an office assistant and interpreter in an ophthalmology clinic over the summers. Because the clinic would get busy quickly and I wanted to ease the burden of the front office staff, I started organizing each week’s patient charts in advance and calling the patients to remind them of their appointments. “You’re like the Energizer Bunny!” said my coworker one day as I handed her a stack of charts. From that moment, the name stuck. My time at the office was valuable because it reinforced my ability to complete projects quickly and efficiently while reminding me of the importance of following any project through to the very end.

Wanting to gain more clinical experience after college, I became a clinical research coordinator at a medical center where I coordinated clinical trials and PI-initiated studies. I interfaced with and integrated a number of healthcare professionals to push forward numerous studies and care for a high volume of patients. One of the projects I worked on extensively required a six-hour, multifaceted consultation visit that was taxing both on the patient and clinic flow. Recognizing the inefficiency, I created a system in clinic that scheduled these visits early in the morning, prepared all forms and rooms for the optometrists and retina specialists in advance, and remained in constant communication with all clinic staff throughout the patient’s visit. Because of these improvements, we shortened the consultation visit time by half and became one of the top enrolling sites for the clinical trial. In addition to being exposed to and enjoying team-based, collaborative delivery of care, I developed a newfound interest in public health.

Following my time as a research coordinator, I pursued an MPH degree in epidemiology at the University of San Fransisco. While in graduate school, I wanted to integrate what I was learning in my classes by working in the community I was living in and by participating in epidemiological research. As a graduate research assistant, I refined my analytical and scientific inquiry and gained the confidence to develop a research project independently. I applied this confidence to my work as a Bloom mentor as I created weekly lesson plans and activities for adolescent girls around themes such as menstrual health and hygiene, bullying, obesity, diversity, and more. Encouraging the girls to participate, I saw them develop trust in the other mentors, their peers, and myself. as they shared their experiences with the difficult themes we presented. My time as a mentor taught me the importance of building rapport, being honest, and communicating clearly and effectively.

I have been exposed to diverse educational and professional opportunities that allowed me to help individuals, deepen my understanding of health and human behavior, and acquire a population-level perspective that places individuals in the context of their environment. I want to be a physician that serves pediatric populations and with a passion for epidemiologic research, I appreciate UCSD SOM’s Center for Better Beginnings which aims to promote maternal health and child development. Under the guidance of Dr. Gill Vandolis, I can build off my previous pediatric epidemiological studies while also volunteering in my future specialty of pediatrics at Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego. UC San Diego School of Medicine would allow me to gain a solid understanding of clinical concepts in a research setting, to continue to pursue epidemiologic research, and would help propel me into a future career as a physician and researcher. I aim to improve the lives of children and adolescents through the practice of compassionate medicine and interdisciplinary, innovative research.

Character count: 5601

Click here to see another response to this prompt. 

I envision integrating my future medical education with my MPH to pursue interdisciplinary research and working at a public health organization. Specifically, I want to pursue epidemiological research that informs change. I aim to translate my future research into effective policy changes and innovative, community-based initiatives.

Character count: 335

Check out our video for a recap:

Like our blog? Write for us ! >>

Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Hello, I'm not sure where the information about a 2 week turnaround time for MD-PhD students came from, but I wasn't able to find it anywhere else, including the UCSD MSTP website.

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hello Natalie! Thanks for your comment. Please follow any deadlines detailed by UCSD to submit your secondaries. 

Get Started Now

Talk to one of our admissions experts

Our site uses cookies. By using our website, you agree with our cookie policy .

Time Sensitive. Limited Spots Available:

We guarantee your acceptance to med school or you don't pay.

Swipe up to see a great offer!

Freshman requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

• California residents
• Out-of-state students
• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
• UC transfer programs
• Transfer planning tools

International applicants

• Applying for admission
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
• Passports & visas
• Living accommodations
• Health care & insurance

AP & Exam credits

Applying as a freshman

• Filling out the application
• Dates & deadlines

Personal insight questions

• How applications are reviewed
• After you apply

Applying as a transfer

Types of aid

• Grants & scholarships
• Jobs & work-study
• California DREAM Loan Program
• Middle Class Scholarship Program
• Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
• Native American Opportunity Plan  
• Who can get financial aid
• How aid works
• Estimate your aid

Apply for financial aid

• Cal Dream Act application tips
• Tuition & cost of attendance
• Glossary & resources
• Santa Barbara
• Campus program & support services
• Check majors
• Freshman admit data
• Transfer admit data
• Native American Opportunity Plan
• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. You may use the additional comments field to note extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, if necessary. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

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. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 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. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 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? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 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? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

• English [PDF]
• Spanish [PDF]

University of California, San Diego | UCSD

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of California, San Diego | UCSD?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of California, San Diego | UCSD’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short responses.

Please respond to any 4 of the 8 questions below.We realize that not all questions apply to all applicants, so be sure to select the 4 questions that you believe give us the best information about you.All 8 questions are given equal consideration in the application review process. Responses to each question should be between 250-350 words.

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

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.

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

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?

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

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

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

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

• [email protected]
• (650) 338-8226

Cupertino, CA

• Our Philosophy
• Our Results
• News, Media, and Press
• Common Application
• College Application Essay Editing
• Extracurricular Planning
• Academic Guidance
• Summer Programs
• Interview Preparation

Middle School

• Pre-High School Consultation
• Boarding School Admissions

College Admissions

• Academic and Extracurricular Profile Evaluation
• Senior Editor College Application Program
• Summer Program Applications
• Private Consulting Program
• Transfer Admissions
• UC Transfer Admissions
• Ivy League Transfer Admissions

Graduate Admissions

• Graduate School Admissions
• MBA Admissions

Private Tutoring

• SAT/ACT Tutoring
• AP Exam Tutoring
• Olympiad Training

Research Programs

• Science Research Program
• Humanities Competitions
• Passion Project Program
• Ad Hoc Consulting
• Athletic Recruitment
• National Universities Rankings
• Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings
• Public Schools Rankings

Acceptance Rates

• University Acceptance Rates
• Transfer Acceptance Rates
• Supplemental Essays
• College Admissions Data
• Chances Calculator
• GPA Calculator

National Universities

• College Acceptance Rates
• College Overall Acceptance Rates
• College Regular Acceptance Rates
• College Early Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Overall Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Regular Acceptance Rates
• Ivy League Early Acceptance Rates

Public Schools

• Public Schools Acceptance Rates
• Public Schools Overall Acceptance Rates
• Public Schools Regular Acceptance Rates
• Public Schools Early Acceptance Rates

Liberal Arts

• Liberal Arts Colleges Acceptance Rates
• Liberal Arts Colleges Overall Acceptance Rates
• Liberal Arts Colleges Regular Acceptance Rates
• Liberal Arts Colleges Early Acceptance Rates

UC San Diego Essay Prompts 2023-2024

By Eric Eng

Welcome to your guide for UC San Diego’s essay prompts for the 2023-2024 application cycle. If you’re aiming for a spot at UC San Diego, you know it ranks as one of the best universities globally. But to secure your admission, you need more than just impressive grades or scores. Your essays are crucial, too.

These essays are a great opportunity to show your unique personality and life beyond just numbers and a resume. They’re your platform to convey your ideas, life stories, and goals to the admissions team. In this guide, we’re going to dive into this year’s essay prompts and offer advice and techniques to create essays that will grab the admissions officers’ attention and leave a memorable mark.

How Many Essays Does UC San Diego Have?

For the 2023-2024 admission cycles, UC San Diego , like all University of California (UC) campuses, requires applicants to respond to Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) as part of their application process. These PIQs function as the essays for UC San Diego applicants.

The UC system provides a total of eight PIQ prompts, from which applicants are asked to choose four to respond. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. This structure is distinct from many other universities that may have a varying number of essays, often including a longer personal statement and several shorter supplemental essays.

The prompts for the PIQs are designed to cover a broad range of topics, allowing students from diverse backgrounds to showcase different facets of their personalities, experiences, and aspirations. These questions do not focus solely on academic achievements; they also invite students to talk about their leadership experiences, creative skills, significant challenges they have overcome, and other aspects that might contribute to the UC campus community.

This approach to essays is quite unique in the realm of college admissions. Unlike institutions such as the Ivy League schools , which often require essays tailored to each specific college’s ethos, the UC system, including UC San Diego, uses these standardized prompts to gain insight into the applicant’s character, experiences, and potential to contribute to the university community.

What are the UC San Diego Essay Prompts for 2023-2024?

When you apply to UC San Diego or any other University of California school, you will need to write responses to four personal insight questions. You have a choice of which questions to answer from a set of eight. Each response should be 350 words.

• Describe an example of a leadership experience in which you’ve positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
• 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.

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

• Describe how you’ve taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you’ve faced.
• Describe the most significant challenge you’ve faced and the steps you’ve taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
• Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you’ve furthered this interest inside and/or outside the classroom.

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

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

How to Write the UC San Diego Essays 2023-2024

Understanding prompt #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.

This prompt asks the applicant to share a specific instance or experience where they have demonstrated leadership qualities. The focus is on situations where the applicant has positively impacted others, whether through influencing their peers, resolving conflicts, or contributing to group efforts. The goal is to understand how the applicant approaches leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.

It allows the student to showcase their interpersonal skills, teamwork, and the ability to navigate challenges within a group setting. Admissions officers are interested in a detailed account of the applicant’s actions and the outcomes of their leadership experience, emphasizing qualities such as communication, empathy, and effective decision-making.

Crafting Your Response

Answering this leadership experience prompt requires thoughtful reflection and a detailed account of a specific scenario. Here are four key points to consider during brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Selecting a Relevant Leadership Experience: Identify a leadership experience that stands out and aligns with the prompt. This could be from various aspects of your life such as school, extracurricular activities, community involvement, or a part-time job. Choose a scenario where your leadership skills were put to the test, and you had a significant positive impact. For example, if you were a team captain for a robotics competition, consider how your leadership influenced team dynamics and contributed to the overall success of the project.

2. Highlighting Positive Influence: Consider instances where you positively influenced others. This could involve motivating team members, fostering a positive atmosphere, or inspiring others to contribute their best. Delve into specific actions you took to influence those around you positively. Did you lead team-building activities, offer mentorship, or provide support during challenging times? Use anecdotes to illustrate the tangible impact of your positive influence on the group.

3. Resolving Disputes and Challenges: Reflect on situations where you navigated challenges or resolved disputes within a group setting. Provide details on how you approached conflict resolution. Did you facilitate open communication, mediate disagreements, or implement strategies to foster understanding among team members? Discuss the specific steps you took to overcome challenges and maintain a harmonious group dynamic.

4. Contributions to Group Efforts: Consider how your leadership contributed to the overall success of a group or project. Highlight your specific contributions to group efforts. Discuss any innovative ideas you introduced, organizational strategies you implemented, or ways in which you facilitated effective collaboration. This is an opportunity to showcase your leadership skills and your tangible impact on achieving collective goals.

By thoroughly brainstorming and elaborating on these key points, the student can craft a detailed and compelling response to the leadership experience prompt. This approach gives the admissions committee a nuanced understanding of the applicant’s leadership style, interpersonal skills, and ability to positively influence and contribute to group dynamics.

Understanding Prompt #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.

This prompt is inviting the applicant to explore and share how they express their creativity. It recognizes that creativity can manifest in various forms, such as problem-solving, original and innovative thinking, or artistic expression. The question aims to uncover the applicant’s unique approach to creativity and how they channel their imaginative and innovative tendencies.

Whether through academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, personal projects, or artistic endeavors, the prompt encourages applicants to reflect on the diverse ways in which they engage and showcase their creative side. Admissions officers are interested in understanding the applicant’s thought processes, values, and the impact of their creativity on different aspects of their lives.

Answering the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt about expressing one’s creative side involves thoughtful reflection and a personal exploration of creative outlets. Here are three key points for brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Identify Your Creative Outlets: Reflect on the various ways you express your creativity. Consider both traditional and unconventional outlets, such as academic pursuits, problem-solving, artistic endeavors, or innovative thinking.

Dive into specific examples of how you express your creativity. If you are involved in STEM projects, discuss how you approach problem-solving with a creative mindset. Alternatively, if you engage in artistic activities, describe the mediums you work with and the inspiration behind your creations. This provides a comprehensive view of the breadth of your creative expressions.

2. Highlight Original and Innovative Thinking: Consider instances where you’ve demonstrated original and innovative thinking. This could be within academic projects, personal initiatives, or any situation where you approached challenges with a creative mindset.

Offer specific examples of how your original thinking has contributed to solutions or outcomes. If you initiated a unique project or introduced creative elements into a team effort, share the details. Discuss how your innovative approach sets you apart and contributes to a diverse and dynamic community, aligning with UC San Diego’s ethos.

3. Connect Creativity to Personal Growth and Impact: Consider how your creative expressions have contributed to personal growth and impact on your community or environment.

Reflect on the evolution of your creative pursuits and how they have shaped your personal development. Discuss any challenges you’ve overcome, lessons learned, or your creativity’s positive impact on others.

This connection between creativity, personal growth, and impact adds depth to your response. It aligns with UC San Diego’s interest in students who bring unique perspectives and contribute to positive change.

By focusing on these key points, you can craft a comprehensive and compelling response to the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt, providing the admissions committee with a vivid understanding of their creative side and its significance in their personal and academic journey.

Understanding Prompt #3

This prompt asks the applicant to reflect on their most extraordinary talent or skill and to provide insights into how they have developed and demonstrated that talent over time. It seeks to understand the applicant’s self-awareness, the depth of their abilities, and the effort they have invested in honing and showcasing this particular talent or skill.

The question encourages applicants to delve into their personal skill development journey, reflecting on the steps taken to cultivate and express their exceptional abilities. Admissions officers are interested in gaining a nuanced understanding of the applicant’s strengths, dedication to improvement, and the impact of their talent or skill on both personal growth and their broader community.

Answering the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt about one’s greatest talent or skill requires thoughtful reflection and a detailed exploration of personal development. Here are three key points for brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Identify Your Greatest Talent or Skill: Reflect on your strengths and identify the talent or skill that you believe is your greatest. This could be an academic skill, an artistic talent, leadership abilities, or any other proficiency that sets you apart.

Clearly articulate your chosen talent or skill and why you consider it your greatest. Provide specific examples or instances where you have demonstrated this talent. For instance, if your skill is in problem-solving, share a challenging problem you successfully addressed, showcasing your capabilities.

2. Detail the Development Journey: Consider the steps you’ve taken to develop and refine this talent over time. This could involve formal education, self-directed learning, mentorship, or hands-on experiences. Share the evolution of your talent, starting from when you first recognized it to the present day.

Discuss any formal training or courses you’ve undertaken, the role of mentors or influential figures, and the practical experiences that have contributed to your skill development. This narrative should emphasize your commitment to continuous improvement.

3. Demonstrate the Impact of Your Talent: Explore how you have demonstrated and applied your talent in various contexts. This could include academic achievements, contributions to extracurricular activities, or positive influences on your community.

Provide specific examples of how you have applied your talent in real-world situations. Discuss any projects, initiatives, or leadership roles where your skill has made a notable impact. Emphasize not only your personal achievements but also the positive contributions you’ve made to others, aligning with UC San Diego’s interest in students who contribute to positive change.

By focusing on these key points, you can craft a detailed and compelling response to the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt. This approach provides the admissions committee with a comprehensive understanding of the your greatest talent, the journey of development, and the tangible impact of their skill on both personal growth and the broader community.

Understanding Prompt #4

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

This prompt asks the applicant to reflect on their educational journey by either describing how they have seized a significant educational opportunity or detailing how they have overcome a barrier in their education. The question aims to uncover the applicant’s resourcefulness, resilience, and proactive approach to their academic development.

Admissions officers are interested in understanding how the applicant has navigated challenges or capitalized on opportunities within the educational landscape, showcasing their ability to learn, adapt, and grow. It allows the applicant to discuss specific instances where they have taken control of their educational path, demonstrating a proactive and determined attitude toward their academic pursuits.

Answering the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt about taking advantage of an educational opportunity or overcoming a barrier involves introspection and storytelling. Here are three key points for brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Identify the Educational Opportunity or Barrier: Reflect on your educational journey and identify a significant opportunity you’ve seized or a barrier you’ve faced. Clearly articulate the nature of the opportunity or barrier. For example, an opportunity could be participating in a research project, an internship, or an advanced placement course.

On the other hand, a barrier might involve overcoming a language barrier, adapting to a new educational system, or addressing resource limitations. This sets the stage for a detailed exploration of your experience.

2. Describe Actions Taken: Consider the specific actions you took to make the most of the opportunity or overcome the barrier. Provide a narrative that details the steps you took. If it’s about seizing an opportunity, discuss how you actively pursued it, any challenges you encountered, and the impact it had on your academic and personal growth.

If the focus is on overcoming a barrier, delve into the strategies you employed, the resilience you demonstrated, and the lessons learned in the process. This section should highlight your initiative and determination.

3. Reflect on the Impact and Growth: Consider how the experience has influenced your academic and personal development. Reflect on the impact of the opportunity or the lessons learned from overcoming the barrier. Discuss how it has shaped your perspective, contributed to your skillset, or influenced your goals.

Admissions officers are interested in understanding not only what you did but also how these experiences have contributed to your growth and preparedness for future challenges. This reflection brings depth and meaning to your response.

For example, if you overcame a language barrier, you could detail the steps you took to improve your language skills, such as seeking additional tutoring, participating in language exchange programs, or immersing yourself in extracurricular activities that enhanced your communication abilities. This narrative approach provides a compelling and detailed response to the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024, showcasing your proactive approach to education and your ability to navigate challenges effectively.

Understanding 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?

This prompt is asking the applicant to reflect on the most significant challenge they have faced and to provide a detailed account of the steps taken to overcome it. The question aims to understand the applicant’s resilience, problem-solving skills, and ability to navigate adversity. Specifically, it asks how this challenge has impacted the applicant’s academic achievement, emphasizing the connection between personal challenges and academic growth.

Admissions officers are interested in learning about the applicant’s ability to overcome obstacles, the strategies employed, and the impact of this experience on their academic journey. It provides an opportunity for the applicant to showcase their determination, adaptability, and the valuable lessons learned through facing a significant challenge.

Answering the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt about the most significant challenge involves thoughtful reflection and a narrative approach. Here are three key points for brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Identify the Most Significant Challenge: Reflect on your life and academic journey to identify the most significant challenge you have faced.

Clearly articulate the nature of the challenge. It could be a personal hardship, a health issue, a family situation, or any obstacle that significantly impacted you. Be specific and focus on the challenge that has had the most profound influence on your life.

2. Detail the Steps Taken to Overcome the Challenge: Consider the specific actions, strategies, or coping mechanisms you employed to overcome the identified challenge.

Provide a detailed narrative that outlines the steps you took. Discuss any support systems you sought, whether from family, friends, mentors, or professionals. Highlight your problem-solving skills and resilience.  If applicable, share any personal growth or transformative moments that occurred during this process. This section should showcase your ability to navigate adversity effectively.

3. Discuss the Impact on Academic Achievement: Reflect on how the challenge has affected your academic journey and achievement.

Be honest about the impact of the challenge on your academic performance. Discuss any disruptions, changes in focus, or adaptations you made to continue pursuing your educational goals.  If the challenge spurred personal growth or influenced your academic interests, highlight these aspects. Admissions officers are interested not only in how you overcame the challenge but also in understanding the broader implications of your academic journey.

For example, if the challenge was a health issue, you could detail the steps you took to manage your health, maintain academic commitments, and seek support from medical professionals. Discuss how this experience has shaped your resilience, your perspective on life, and how it has influenced your academic goals.

This narrative approach provides a compelling and authentic response to the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024, allowing you to showcase your personal growth and ability to overcome significant challenges.

Understanding Prompt #6

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

This prompt is asking the applicant to reflect on an academic subject that inspires them and to describe how they have pursued and deepened this interest both inside and outside the classroom. The question aims to understand the applicant’s passion for a specific academic area, their proactive engagement with the subject matter, and the ways in which they have expanded their knowledge and skills beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Admissions officers are interested in learning about the applicant’s intellectual curiosity, the steps they have taken to explore their academic interests, and any additional activities or projects that showcase their commitment to the chosen subject. The prompt provides an opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate their genuine enthusiasm for learning and their ability to take initiative in pursuing their academic passions.

Answering the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt about an academic subject that inspires you involves showcasing your passion, curiosity, and initiative. Here are three key points for brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Identify the Inspiring Academic Subject: Reflect on your academic experiences and identify a subject that genuinely inspires and captivates you.

Clearly articulate the chosen academic subject and explain why it inspires you. Share specific moments or aspects of the subject that have ignited your curiosity. This sets the foundation for a compelling narrative that communicates your genuine passion.

2. Describe In-Class and Extracurricular Engagement: Consider how you have furthered your interest both inside and outside the traditional classroom setting. Discuss your in-class experiences, highlighting specific projects, assignments, or discussions that deepened your understanding of the subject. Then, explore extracurricular activities, clubs, or initiatives related to the academic subject.

This could include participating in relevant competitions, attending conferences, conducting independent research, or engaging in related community service. Provide concrete examples demonstrating your proactive approach to expanding your knowledge beyond the standard curriculum.

3. Connect the Subject to Future Goals: Reflect on how your interest in the academic subject aligns with your future goals and aspirations. Discuss how your engagement with the subject has influenced your academic and career trajectory.

Explore any specific goals, projects, or contributions you envision making in the future that are directly connected to your passion for this subject. This forward-looking perspective demonstrates the enduring impact of your academic interest and aligns with UC San Diego’s interest in students with a clear sense of purpose.

For example, if the inspiring academic subject is environmental science, you could describe specific class projects that delved into environmental issues and highlight your involvement in a local environmental club or volunteer work.

Discuss how this interest has motivated you to consider a future in environmental research or policy-making. This comprehensive approach provides a detailed and authentic response to the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024, showcasing your passion, initiative, and future aspirations related to the academic subject.

Understanding Prompt #7

This prompt is asking the applicant to reflect on their contributions to improving either their school or community. It aims to understand the applicant’s sense of community engagement, leadership, and commitment to making a positive impact.

Admissions officers are interested in learning about the specific actions the applicant has taken to enhance the well-being of their school or local community. This question provides an opportunity for the applicant to showcase their leadership, initiative, and dedication to creating positive change, highlighting their understanding of community needs and their role in addressing them.

Answering the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt about making your school or community a better place involves showcasing your commitment to positive change and community engagement. Here are three key points for brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Identify Specific Contributions and Initiatives: Reflect on your involvement in activities or projects that have positively impacted your school or community.

Provide a detailed account of specific actions you’ve taken. This could include participating in community service projects, initiating a school club, organizing events, or leading efforts to address local issues. Highlight the breadth and depth of your involvement, discussing any leadership roles, teamwork, or challenges overcome during these initiatives. This sets the foundation for a compelling narrative.

2. Discuss the Motivation Behind Your Contributions: Reflect on why you felt compelled to make a positive impact on your school or community.

Share the motivations that drove your contributions. Whether it’s a personal connection to a cause, a desire to foster community well-being, or a commitment to addressing specific challenges, be transparent about your values and what inspired your actions. This personal touch adds depth to your narrative and helps the admissions committee understand the genuine passion behind your efforts.

3. Reflect on the Impact and Lessons Learned: Consider the impact of your contributions and any lessons learned from the experience.

Reflect on the tangible outcomes of your initiatives. Discuss how your actions have positively affected individuals or the community at large. Additionally, share any challenges faced and the lessons you’ve learned from these experiences. This reflection not only demonstrates the effectiveness of your contributions but also showcases your ability to learn and grow from your community engagement.

For example, if you initiated a community clean-up project, you could describe the planning process, the involvement of community members, and the visible improvements made to the local environment.

Discuss the motivation behind your commitment to environmental stewardship and how this project has influenced your understanding of community needs. This comprehensive approach provides a detailed and authentic response to the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024, showcasing your dedication to positive change and community well-being.

Understanding Prompt #8

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

This prompt is asking the applicant to reflect on what sets them apart and makes them a strong candidate for admission to the University of California (UC). It provides an opportunity for the applicant to highlight unique qualities, experiences, or perspectives that may not have been covered in other parts of the application.

The question aims to understand the applicant’s self-awareness, individual strengths, and the distinctive contributions they could bring to the UC community. Admissions officers are interested in learning about the applicant’s personal qualities, achievements, or insights that make them stand out and align with the values and goals of the University of California.

Answering the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024 prompt about what makes you stand out involves showcasing your unique qualities, experiences, and perspectives. Here are three key points for brainstorming and how to elaborate on them:

1. Identify Distinctive Qualities and Experiences: Reflect on your personal qualities, experiences, or perspectives that make you unique.

Identify specific attributes or aspects of your background that set you apart. This could include unique skills, cultural experiences, personal challenges overcome, or distinctive accomplishments.

For example, if you have a proficiency in a less common language, discuss how this skill contributes to your identity and how it might enrich the UC San Diego community. Be specific and authentic in presenting what makes you uniquely you.

2. Connect Your Qualities to UC San Diego Values: Consider how your distinctive qualities align with the values and goals of UC San Diego.

Discuss how your unique attributes and experiences contribute to the diversity and vibrancy of the UC San Diego community. Explore specific aspects of UC San Diego’s mission, programs, or community that resonate with your own values and goals.

Whether it’s a commitment to innovation, diversity, research, or community service, make explicit connections between your individuality and what you admire about UC San Diego.

3. Highlight Future Contributions and Goals:  Reflect on how your unique qualities and experiences will contribute to the UC San Diego community and your future goals.

Discuss how your distinctive attributes will enhance the academic and social fabric of UC San Diego. Share your aspirations and goals, emphasizing how the university’s resources, programs, or community align with what you aim to achieve.

This forward-looking perspective shows that you understand your uniqueness and have a clear vision of how you can contribute to and benefit from the UC San Diego experience.

For example, if you have a background in advocating for sustainability, you could discuss how your commitment to environmental responsibility aligns with UC San Diego’s focus on sustainability and innovation.

Describe specific initiatives or experiences that highlight your dedication to this cause and how you envision contributing to the university’s sustainability efforts. This comprehensive approach provides a detailed and authentic response to the UC San Diego Essay 2023-2024, showcasing your individuality and your potential contributions to the university community.

How to Structure Your UC San Diego Essays

The structure of an essay is crucial in conveying your message effectively, especially in college admissions essays like those for UC San Diego. A well-structured essay helps organize thoughts coherently, making it easier for the admissions committee to understand your narrative. Here are three key points on how applicants can structure their UC San Diego essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle:

1. Introduction with a Hook and Thesis Statement: Start your UC San Diego essay with an engaging hook that captures the reader’s attention. This could be an intriguing question, a surprising fact, a vivid description, or a compelling anecdote that relates to your overall theme. Follow this with a thesis statement that outlines the main theme or argument of your essay. This introduction sets the tone and gives the admissions committee an idea of what to expect, showcasing your ability to engage the reader from the beginning.

2. Body with Clear, Themed Paragraphs: Structure the body of your essay into clear, logically ordered paragraphs, each focusing on a specific aspect of your story or argument. For UC San Diego essays, these could be different experiences, achievements, challenges, or personal attributes that align with the university’s values and the course you’re applying for. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces its main idea. Use examples, stories, and reflections to support your points, demonstrating how your experiences have shaped and prepared you for a future at UC San Diego.

3. Concluding Paragraph That Reinforces Your Thesis and Provides Closure: Conclude your essay by succinctly summarizing the main points, reinforcing your thesis statement in light of the evidence you’ve presented. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression, so consider ending with a reflective thought, a look into the future, or a connection to how you envision yourself at UC San Diego. The conclusion should provide closure to your essay, tying all your points together in a coherent narrative and reiterating your enthusiasm and suitability for UC San Diego.

Incorporating this structured approach into your UC San Diego essays for the 2023-2024 admissions period helps present a well-organized, engaging, and persuasive narrative. It not only showcases your writing skills but also demonstrates your ability to think logically and coherently, a quality highly valued in the academic environment at UC San Diego. A structured essay makes your application memorable and can significantly influence the admissions committee’s perception of your candidacy.

The Importance of Essays in College Admissions

The importance of essays in the college admissions process, especially for institutions like UC San Diego, is substantial. Here are some detailed insights on how essays can influence admissions, particularly for the period of 2023-2024:

1. Personalizing the Application: UC San Diego essays offer a unique opportunity for students to personalize their applications. Unlike test scores and GPAs, essays are not just numbers; they provide a narrative. This is particularly crucial for UC San Diego, which prides itself on a diverse and dynamic student body. Essays allow students to highlight their unique experiences, perspectives, and aspirations. By crafting a compelling story, applicants can stand out in a pool of similarly qualified candidates, making a strong case for why they are more than just their academic achievements.

2. Demonstrating Fit with UC San Diego’s Academic and Social Environment: Essays enable students to demonstrate how they align with UC San Diego’s values and academic ethos. UC San Diego is known for its emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and social responsibility. Through their essays, applicants can showcase how their goals, experiences, and values resonate with these aspects of the university. For instance, a student interested in environmental studies might write about their involvement in community sustainability projects, illustrating how they would contribute to UC San Diego’s culture of environmental activism.

3. Showcasing Writing and Critical Thinking Skills: UC San Diego, like many top universities, values strong writing and critical thinking abilities. The essays are a direct reflection of these skills. They provide a platform for students to articulate their thoughts clearly, analyze complex topics, and present arguments persuasively. Well-written essays that display a student’s ability to engage with ideas critically can significantly bolster their application, showcasing their preparedness for the rigorous academic environment at UC San Diego.

4. Providing Context and Depth to the Application: Essays allow students to provide context to their academic and personal journey. This is especially important for those who have faced unique challenges or have non-traditional backgrounds. For example, explaining personal or family circumstances that impacted academic performance can offer important insights to admissions officers. This contextual information can be pivotal in the holistic review process, allowing admissions officers at UC San Diego to see the full picture of an applicant’s potential.

By incorporating these aspects into their UC San Diego Essays for the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, students can significantly enhance their chances of admission . The essays serve as a critical tool to not just showcase academic prowess but also to present a well-rounded, insightful, and engaging personal narrative that aligns with the university’s values and expectations.

How Do UC San Diego’s Essays Compare to Other Top Universities?

The UC San Diego essays for the 2023-2024 admission cycle share similarities with other top universities in that they are a tool for applicants to convey their unique stories, values, and aspirations. However, there are distinct aspects that set them apart. Like many top institutions, UC San Diego uses its essay prompts to evaluate an applicant’s ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and demonstrate potential for future success.

However, UC San Diego’s essay prompts often place a stronger emphasis on innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and social impact, reflecting the university’s core values. For example, while a university like Harvard might focus on leadership and intellectual curiosity in its essay prompts, UC San Diego’s essays might lean more towards how an applicant’s experiences and goals align with the university’s commitment to groundbreaking research and community engagement.

In terms of structure and content, UC San Diego’s essays tend to align with the general standards of top-tier universities, but with a notable emphasis on diversity and inclusion. This is in line with the University of California system’s holistic approach to admissions.

For instance, Stanford University often asks for essays that delve deeply into the applicant’s intellectual vitality and personal philosophy, whereas UC San Diego might prompt students to reflect on how their experiences have shaped their understanding of diversity and how they plan to contribute to a diverse campus environment. This focus allows UC San Diego to identify students who not only excel academically but are also well-prepared to thrive in and contribute to a diverse, global community.

Comparatively, UC San Diego essays require a balance of personal narrative and a demonstration of alignment with the university’s specific ethos. This is somewhat different from institutions like MIT , where essay prompts tend to emphasize technical creativity and problem-solving skills. UC San Diego expects its applicants to articulate not only their academic interests and achievements but also how these intersect with broader societal issues and the university’s mission.

This requirement for a dual focus on personal development and societal contribution makes UC San Diego’s essays particularly nuanced. In essence, while all top universities seek to glean insights into an applicant’s personality and intellectual potential through their essays, UC San Diego uniquely positions its prompts to highlight a commitment to innovation, diversity, and societal impact, in line with its own institutional values and aspirations.

How to Effectively Revise and Proofread

Effectively revising and proofreading essays, particularly for UC San Diego for the 2023-2024 admission cycle, is a crucial step in ensuring the quality and impact of your application. Here are four detailed strategies to guide applicants in this process:

1. Step Away and Revisit for Fresh Perspective: After the initial draft, take a break from your essay before revising it. This pause allows you to return with a fresh perspective, making it easier to identify areas that need improvement. When you revisit your UC San Diego essay, try to read it as if you were an admissions officer. This detachment helps in objectively assessing the clarity, coherence, and impact of your narrative. Look for sections that might be unclear, off-topic, or redundant. Consider whether your essay effectively communicates your unique story and aligns with UC San Diego’s values.

2. Seek Constructive Feedback: Share your essay with trusted mentors, teachers, or peers for constructive feedback. They can offer valuable insights into how your essay might be perceived by others. Encourage them to be honest, particularly regarding areas where the argument is weak, the narrative is confusing, or the language is vague. When receiving feedback, especially for specific prompts like UC San Diego Essays 2023-2024, focus on comments that address the relevance of your content to the prompt, the flow of ideas, and the overall readability. Be open to suggestions, but also remember to stay true to your voice and message.

3. Focus on Structure and Flow: During revision, pay close attention to the structure and flow of your essay. Each paragraph should logically lead to the next, with clear transitions. Ensure that your introduction effectively sets up your thesis and that each body paragraph supports this thesis with relevant examples and analysis. The conclusion should tie everything together, reinforcing your main points and leaving a lasting impression. For UC San Diego essays, ensure that your structure facilitates a clear demonstration of your experiences and aspirations, and how they align with the university’s ethos.

4. Meticulous Proofreading for Language and Grammar: Finally, proofread your essay meticulously to eliminate grammatical errors, typos, and awkward phrasings. Use tools like spell checkers, but don’t rely solely on them. Read your essay aloud; this can help catch errors and assess the natural flow of your writing. Pay attention to details like word choice, sentence structure, and punctuation. For UC San Diego essays, where precision and clarity are paramount, polished language and grammar not only reflect your attention to detail but also ensure that your ideas are conveyed effectively.

Incorporating these strategies in revising and proofreading UC San Diego essays for the 2023-2024 admission cycle will enhance the quality of your submission, ensuring that it accurately reflects your abilities, experiences, and fit for the university. A well-polished essay can significantly impact the impression you leave on the admissions committee, potentially making a difference in a competitive admissions process.

Why Choose UC San Diego?

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be part of a university that’s not just a place of learning but a thriving hub for innovation and exciting traditions? That’s UC San Diego for you. It’s not just the sunny weather or the buzzing campus that makes it special. It’s the blend of rigorous academic programs and groundbreaking research opportunities that sets it apart.

At UC San Diego, you’ll find yourself in the company of Nobel laureates, and not just as names in your textbooks. They might be leading your research project or giving a lecture in the hall next door. It’s a place where your work can contribute to solving real-world problems. Imagine being part of research that could revolutionize how we treat diseases or protect the environment. That’s the kind of impact we’re talking about.

And it’s not all science and tech. UC San Diego takes pride in its vibrant arts and humanities scene, fostering a community where creativity is just as valued as empirical evidence. Whether you’re an aspiring engineer, a future filmmaker, or a would-be entrepreneur, this university has the resources to help you carve out your path to success. This is why pouring your heart into those essays matters. They are your ticket to a world of opportunities that can shape not just your career but also your personal growth.

Final Thoughts

You’ve made it to the fin al stretch. Your essays are drafted, revised, and polished to shine. It’s normal to feel a flutter of nerves—after all, these few pages carry your aspirations. But remember, by reaching this point, you’ve demonstrated dedication and an eagerness to grow that’ll carry you far at UC San Diego.

Click that submit button with confidence. You’ve put in the work, you’ve shared your story, and now, it’s time to let your application soar. Regardless of the outcome, you’ve honed your ability to express your thoughts and dreams. That skill will serve you well, at UC San Diego and beyond.

Now, go ahead. Submit your UC San Diego essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle and step forward with confidence toward the future you envision. Good luck!

It is important to have all the necessary information before making any decision. AdmissionSight is always here to help you with any questions or concerns. We have over ten years of experience helping students successfully navigate the challenging admissions process.

Consult with AdmissionSight and find out how we can help you get into the school of your choice by ensuring that you are fully informed and prepared for the application process. We will work with you to develop a personalized plan that meets your specific needs and goals. We will also provide you with access to our team of experts who can help you with everything from choosing the right schools to writing your essays .

Don’t let the admissions process overwhelm you. Contact AdmissionSight today and let us help you achieve your dreams.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

Why College Admissions Isn’t Perfect

US News Rankings

The Personal Statement: The Holy Grail of College Admissions

The Modern Day 4.0 and 1600 SAT Score Student Is No Longer Impressive

The Competitive Nature of College Admissions for Asian Americans

The College Application

Our Comprehensive Approach

Ivy League Schools

How Early Should You Prepare for College?

Featured in US News & World Report Best Colleges Publication

Congratulations to AdmissionSight Students and their Acceptances!

College Rejection

College Rankings

College Consultants Could Make A Difference

College Admissions Scandal and Higher Education

Princeton Acceptance Rate: Admissions Statistics

How to Get a Coca-Cola Scholarship

10 Online Learning Resources for High School Students

How to Compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition

How To Compete In The American Protégé International Competitions

Dartmouth Diversity Statistics

Johns Hopkins University Diversity Statistics

Caltech Diversity Statistics

Your Comprehensive Guide to the UCSB Summer Research Academies

Wesleyan Supplemental Essays 2023-2024: Prompts and Tips

Zero Robotics: All You Need to Know

A Complete Guide To the American Fine Arts Festival

How to Get Published in the Curieux Academic Journal

Duke University Diversity Statistics

Northwestern University Diversity Statistics

University of Chicago Diversity Statistics

Williams College Diversity Statistics

Leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Articles

How to Get a Coca-Cola...

10 Online Learning Resources for...

How to Compete in the...

How To Compete In The...

Your Comprehensive Guide to the...

Wesleyan Supplemental Essays 2023-2024: Prompts...

Zero Robotics: All You Need...

A Complete Guide To the...

Sign up now to receive insights on how to navigate the college admissions process..

Admissions Counseling

• Academic & Extracurricular Profile Evaluation

Copyright © AdmissionSight 2024

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions

University of San Diego

How to write the supplemental essays.

Any examples of supplements? I don't see prompts so don't know what these essays are essays for under University of San Diego.

Sorry, this is only a short answer space.

Log In To Your GradeSaver Account

• Remember me
• Forgot your password?

Create Your GradeSaver Account

The Ivy Coach Daily

• College Admissions
• College Essays
• Early Decision / Early Action
• Extracurricular Activities
• Standardized Testing
• The Rankings

September 12, 2023

2023-2024 University of California Essay Prompts: Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD

The University of California schools have released their 2023-2024 essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2024. Unlike most highly selective universities, the UC schools are not members of The Common Application — the school has its own application .

Just like in previous years, applicants to the University of California, Berkeley , the University of California, Los Angeles , the University of California, San Diego , and the seven other UC institutions must answer four essay prompts out of a batch of eight options. So, what are this year’s essay prompts? Let’s dive in!

2023-2024 UC Essay Topics and Questions: Personal Insights

Below are the UC essay prompts for applicants to the Class of 2028, along with the guidance issued by the UC admissions committee. These essays apply to all UC schools — including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Los Angeles, the University of California, San Diego, the University of California, Santa Barbara , the University of California, Davis , the University of California, Santa Cruz , the University of California, Irvine , the University of California, Merced , and the the University of California, Riverside .

Applicants have up to 350 words to respond to  four  of the  eight  prompts. And, yes, applicants should go to the maximum word count to make their case!

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.

Things to consider:  A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?

Applicants should share one small story here to demonstrate their leadership. Rather than tell the UC admissions committee about what great leaders they are, they can show it through one specific example. And it doesn’t even need to be a successful example of leadership. Instead, students can highlight what they learned from the scenario to be even better leaders.

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.

Things to consider:  What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

Even in an essay that could lend itself to silliness, applicants must showcase intellectual curiosity. So, suppose a student expresses their creative side by tie-dying t-shirts and their singular hook in their activities section that they’ll be contributing to schools like UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UCSD is math. In that case, they can write about the mathematics behind the patterns they love to create on clothing.

3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Things to consider:  If there is a talent or skill that you’re proud of, this is the time to share it. You don’t necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule?

Too many students choose to write about awards and honors they’ve received in this prompt. Some sneak it into the essay, thinking it’s a subtle way of reinforcing their success. What a mistake! Doing so will only render them unlikable, which should be the precise opposite of their objective.

Ideally, an applicant will share a skill related to their singular hook. If their hook is poetry, let’s hear all about how they became passionate about performing spoken word at open mic nights at a local establishment.

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Things to consider:  An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that’s geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you’ve faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today?

If students have yet to face a genuine academic barrier, such as the ones many students in low-income communities face, it would behoove them to focus on the significant educational  opportunity  they’ve encountered. Was it the chance to perform research on Russian literature with a local professor? Was it a chance to do an archaeological dig in a student’s hometown? The opportunity will ideally fit with the student’s singular hook.

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?

Things to consider:  A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you’ve faced and what you’ve learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you’re currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family?

Unless a student comes from an underprivileged background, we at Ivy Coach would encourage them to avoid choosing this essay prompt since there  are  going to be students who have faced significant obstacles and writing about how a school ran out of math courses while another student writes about the evictions their family has endured isn’t going to sit well with UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, and other UC admissions officers.

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

Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can’t get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

Ideally, a student will choose an academic subject that aligns perfectly with their hook. If their activities reflect a passion for physics, they should share the origin story of their interest in the discipline — as a high schooler rather than a child. What made them fall in love with matter and energy? What made them want to better understand our universe?

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

Things to consider:  Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?

An applicant’s answer should align with their hook as articulated in their activities section. Suppose a student’s hook is political science. In that case, they should write an essay that shares one small story about how their political activism created the change they wished to see — or failed to create the change they hoped to see, only further motivating them to agitate for further change.

Maybe they wanted to stop developers from razing affordable housing communities. Perhaps they tried to fix un-level sidewalks. Whatever it is, applicants should share an anecdote here about their activism — whether successful or not.

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?

Things to consider:  If there’s anything you want us to know about you but didn’t find a question or place in the application to tell us, now’s your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don’t be afraid to brag a little.

Since the University of California has a unique application and is not a member of The Common Application, this essay prompt presents a perfect opportunity for applicants to include an abbreviated version of their 650-word Personal Statements from their Common Applications.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with the University of California Essays

If you’re interested in optimizing your chances of admission to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, and other UC institutions by submitting the most compelling essays possible, fill out Ivy Coach ’s free consultation form , and we’ll be in touch to delineate our college counseling services for applicants to the Class of 2028.

You are permitted to use www.ivycoach.com (including the content of the Blog) for your personal, non-commercial use only. You must not copy, download, print, or otherwise distribute the content on our site without the prior written consent of Ivy Coach, Inc.

Related Articles

Should English Teachers Review College Essays?

June 13, 2024

Using ‘Impressive’ Vocabulary in College Essays

June 6, 2024

What Are the Consequences of College Essay Plagiarism?

May 16, 2024

Using A.I. to Write College Admission Essays

October 13, 2023

Word and Character Limits in College Essays

September 27, 2023

What English Teachers Get Wrong About Writing College Essays

Toward the conquest of admission.

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s college counseling,
fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.

Fill out our short form for a 20-minute consultation to learn about Ivy Coach’s services.

University of San Francisco 2023-24 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Early Action/Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 15

You Have: 

University of San Francisco 2023-24 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 200 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why

We are interested in learning more about you. Please respond to the prompt below with a response of no more than 200 words. This response should be different and distinct from the one used for your main Common Application essay.

The university of san francisco’s jesuit tradition emphasizes community engagement and education for social justice, inspiring our students to become passionate agents for others. how do you see yourself becoming a part of this mission.

This is quite a loaded prompt. In these two sentences, admissions gives you two points of entry into USF’s service-oriented mission: religion and social justice. You can choose to cover both or just one, but either way, you should be thinking about the relationship between your values and those of USF. Has your upbringing in a multi-faith household opened your eyes to the importance of religious pluralism? Or has your blooming interest in the criminal justice system inspired you to study law as a way to advocate for others? Start with the personal, and connect it to the opportunities available at USF. The prompt asks how “you see yourself becoming a part of this mission,” so think deeply about how you would embed yourself on campus. As you do your research, think about how the kinds of classes, clubs, research, and study abroad opportunities (among others) would help you achieve your goals – and also how they connect to USF’s mission. Since you only have 200 words, our recommendation is to focus on one particular interest or theme related to service or social justice and use it as a way to trace a potential path for your four years at USF. Your essay doesn’t need to be comprehensive, but it should be authentic and say something about what you value.

About Kat Stubing

View all posts by Kat Stubing »

We have a guide for that too!

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Williams College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started

Home » University Of San Diego » Does University Of San Diego Require A Supplemental Essay?

Does University Of San Diego Require A Supplemental Essay?

Table of Contents

The University of San Diego has two supplemental essay prompts . The first prompt asks you to discuss one of the five themes that reflects the liberal arts tradition: Advocate, Collaborate, Cultivate, Illuminate and Innovate.

Is an essay required for UC San Diego?

As part of the UC application, students who apply to UCSD must answer four of eight possible personal insight questions, or PIQs. This takes the place of a single college essay or personal statement . For each PIQ, students are given a maximum of 350 words to formulate their response.

Does University of California require supplemental essays?

When applying one just needs to check the campus they are interested in. Due to COVID -19 the UC system of schools will go test optional for all students who are applying for 2021 admissions. UC’s require 4 out of 8 supplement essays . The word limit is 350 words or less.

Are supplemental essays mandatory?

Generally speaking, the norm is to have at least one supplemental essay . Unless you actively try to pick schools with no essay, it’s almost certain that at least some of the schools on your list will ask for additional responses.

Does University of Southern California require supplemental essays?

Hoping to spend your college years in sunny Southern California? USC might be the school for you! But before you make your way to LA, you’ll need to complete USC’s supplemental essays . Their supplements are fairly unique, and they combine a mix of optional and required essay prompts, as well as short-answer questions.

Can I get into UCSD with a 3.8 GPA?

To be eligible for admission to UC San Diego, you must earn the following minimum GPAs: California residents must earn a GPA of 3.0 (or better) with no grade lower than “C.” Non-California residents & International applicants must earn a GPA of 3.4 (or better) with no grade lower than “C.”

How many APS should I take for UCSD?

It’s common for students at top-tier schools like UCSD to have completed between five and 12 AP classes . Selective schools that receive an enormous amount of applications, like UCSD, use a tool known as the Academic Index to expedite admissions decisions.

Does UC Berkeley have supplemental essays?

The UC application provides eight PIQ supplemental essay prompts , and applicants only need to respond to four. All prompts are judged equally and are limited to 350 words. So make sure you choose the prompts wisely and be as succinct as possible with your answers!

What is the supplemental application for SDSU?

SDSU Supplemental Application is a secondary application that gathers essential information necessary for admission decisions . It is a required application for admission. Complete the application as much as you can and have your unofficial transcripts. Save a copy of your completed application.

Does UCLA require supplemental?

Supplemental Applications Some of our majors outside of the College may require applicants to submit a supplemental application directly to that school . These supplemental applications and supporting materials help the faculty in those schools to evaluate applicants for admission to their program.

What universities dont require supplemental essays?

Universities That Do Not Require Supplemental Essays

• Albion College.
• Case Western Reserve University.
• Clemson University.
• Colby College.
• Connecticut College.
• DePaul University.
• Drew University.
• Drexel University.

What colleges dont require supplements?

SAMPLE UNIVERSITIES WITHOUT SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS

• Drexel University (essay for Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and custom-designed majors)
• Fordham University (optional personal essays)
• Miami University—Oxford.

Are optional supplemental essays really optional?

Writing the optional essay demonstrates that a student has initiative and is serious about attending. In addition, a strong “optional” essay gives the admissions officer more information to consider in their decision. However, there is at least one exception to the “rule” that optional essays aren’t really optional .

Does Harvard have supplemental essays?

Harvard requires two 150 word essays and one non-required third essay. There is also a 50-word supplement for International Students .

What is the minimum GPA for UCLA?

a 3.0 GPA You must have a 3.0 GPA (3.4 for non-residents) or higher and no grades lower than a C in required high school courses. You can also substitute SAT subject tests for courses.

What GPA is required for Harvard?

4.18 or above Most students admitted to Harvard have an unweighted GPA of 4.18 or above , so you’ll need to have at least a 4.2 to be seriously evaluated. To meet the Harvard requirements, you’ll have to score primarily A’s on your high school courses.

Do UC’s accept C’s?

Very often the UCs accept a C grade ; in fact, I might say more often than not the odds are in your favor — but not always. And if they don’t accept the C, it usually revolves around one of the aforementioned items.

What major is UCSD known for?

The most popular majors at University of California–San Diego include: Biology/Biological Sciences, General; Computer Science; International/Globalization Studies; Econometrics and Quantitative Economics; Biochemistry; Mathematics and Computer Science; Communication, General; Neurobiology and Anatomy; Electrical and

What UC has the highest acceptance rate?

UCLA UC rankings 2022

Does UCSD care about AP scores?

The University of California grants credit for most College Board Advanced Placement Tests (AP) on which a student scores 3 or higher . The credit may be subject credit for use on a minor or prerequisite to a major, or credit toward general-education requirements or elective units toward graduation.

Does UCSD accept a 3 on the AP exam?

UC grants credit for all College Board Advanced Placement tests on which a student scores 3 or higher .

By Travis Thornton

Travis Thornton is an education expert who has dedicated his life to helping students achieve their academic goals. He has worked as a teacher, tutor, and administrator in both public and private schools, and he currently serves as the dean of admissions at a prestigious university.

Travis believes that every student has the potential to succeed, and he tirelessly works to help them reach their full potential. He is a passionate advocate for education, and he believes that every student should have access to a quality education.

Travis is also a father of three young children, and he loves spending time with his family. He enjoys playing sports and watching movies together.

You might also like:

What makes uc san diego unique, why is it called san diego, what cities are near san diego state university.

Essays That Worked

The essays are a place to show us who you are and who you’ll be in our community.

It’s a chance to add depth to something that is important to you and tell the admissions committee more about your background or goals. Below you’ll find selected examples of essays that “worked,” as nominated by our admissions committee. In each of these essays, students were able to share stories from their everyday lives to reveal something about their character, values, and life that aligned with the culture and values at Hopkins.

Read essays that worked from Transfer applicants .

Hear from the class of 2027.

These selections represent just a few examples of essays we found impressive and helpful during the past admissions cycle. We hope these essays inspire you as you prepare to compose your own personal statements. The most important thing to remember is to be original as you share your own story, thoughts, and ideas with us.

Ordering the Disorderly

Ellie’s essay skillfully uses the topic of entropy as an extended metaphor. Through it, we see reflections about who they are and who they aspire to be.

Pack Light, But Be Prepared

In Pablo’s essay, the act of packing for a pilgrimage becomes a metaphor for the way humans accumulate experiences in their life’s journey and what we can learn from them. As we join Pablo through the diverse phases of their life, we gain insights into their character and values.

Tikkun Olam

Julieta illustrates how the concept of Tikkun Olam, “a desire to help repair the world,” has shaped their passions and drives them to pursue experiences at Hopkins.

Kashvi’s essay encapsulates a heartfelt journey of self-discovery and the invaluable teachings of Rock, their 10-year-old dog. Through the lens of their companionship, Kashvi walked us through valuable lessons on responsibility, friendship, patience, and unconditional love.

Classical Reflections in Herstory

Maddie’s essay details their intellectual journey using their love of Greek classics. They incorporate details that reveal the roots of their academic interests: storytelling, literary devices, and translation. As their essay progresses, so do Maddie’s intellectual curiosities.

My Spotify Playlist

Alyssa’s essay reflects on special memories through the creative lens of Spotify playlists. They use three examples to highlight their experiences with their tennis team, finding a virtual community during the pandemic, and co-founding a nonprofit to help younger students learn about STEM.

More essays that worked

We share essays from previously admitted students—along with feedback from our admissions committee—so you can understand what made them effective and how to start crafting your own.

Application Workshops

Our interactive workshops—on topics like the college search process and essay preparation—will help you build your strongest application when you’re ready to apply.

REGISTER FOR AN APPLICATION WORKSHOP

Application tips in your inbox

Join our mailing list to receive insights from our admissions committee, event invites, and other resources for your college journey.

Quick Links:

• Majors, Minors & Programs
• Application Deadlines & Requirements
• College Planning Guide