On the UC Writing Tips, they say to avoid creative writing. I’m unclear on what exactly this means. Does this mean you should just be straightforward and to the point instead of trying to be flowery? For example, the least prompt is: What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
Would it be better to start by saying “What I think sets me apart is a personal trait:______” and then launching into an example, or would it be better to start off by launching straight into a story. (e.g. I was munching on a bag of chips…)
A friend of mine who read my essay said it would be better to start off with the latter, with a story. However, I want to make it very clear in the first sentence itself what the theme is; hence I started off with a very direct sentence ( “What I think sets me apart is a personal trait:______”) and then launched into an anecdote. Which do you think is a better approach? I don’t want to do creative writing when they specifically said not to. I don’t want them to start reading my essay and sigh/die internally n the first line Thanks!
Yes, you can include anecdotes and/or describe specific personal experiences. Just be sure to be reasonably concise when you do it and to use the anecdotes/personal experiences in service of the point you are trying to make (i.e. don’t just tell a story for its own sake - tell it for a reason.)
when I went with my D to the UC for you ( it’s an invitation only information session for top 15% california seniors) last year, this question was asked by a few people and the response was that the essay should be treated like an “interview” since they dont give those – that the essay reflects the applicants personality, strengths, etc .What they dont want I think is the essay that sounds pretentious ( overly-big, flowery words, etc ). My d got into all the upper UCs and she started her essays with an anecdote / movie quote .
@iska123 I was invited to that session as well but unfortunately couldn’t go. I see you said your daughter started her essays with an anecdote. So would you say she sort of used it as a hook? The way I did it was I started off rather generically, usually just answering the prompt, before launching into my anecdote. Would you say the strategy used by your daughter would be more effective than this? Thanks so much!!
she started off with a movie scene, and then tied it in to her own journeythru highschool ( of self-discovery ) --she paralleled this “movie” into her narrative - -while touching on her background , her strengths/positive attributes, and concluded with the lessons she has learned from the experiences-- by tying in the conclusion of the movie with it. It was simple, direct, touching and quite compelling ( accdg to teachers who read it). I dont think there is a right or wrong way to do it, just be sincere and write what comes natural ---- it will take many revisions, but you will know when you hit just the right combination when people(adults) who read it , are "moved " by it.
Find a balance. They say avoid creative writing because oftentimes kids just run with it and just have flowery language with no substance or material. If you can write creatively AND also write with substance, then that’s good.
Thanks!