<p>Hi, this question is for the University of California essays, and I’m looking at going to either UCLA or UC Berkley. </p>
<p>I’m a bit torn between my essay topics as they stand. The first UC topic, the “my world” essay is set, and I will say that it does not pertain to community service.</p>
<p>My second prompt topic is the problem. The prompt asks to tell of a certain quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience that is important to me and how does that make me proud and relate to me as a person. Now, I’m a very avid hiker, and was going to write about my experience climbing Mount Whitney, which to date is my biggest climb (others include half dome and the grand canyon, working on McKinley), and how the mountain changed me. I think this is also quite unique and I know very few (none actually) high school students who have done the hike. However, it was brought up that this topic doesn’t show service (which it obviously doesn’t) and that I should write about an important service project I’ve done. I was reading a few of my UC successful read’s essays and a large majority wrote essays pertaining to going to Mexico, or helping at an orphanage. Well I’ve never done that, but I am part of a program called “Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.” The program records text books for the well, the blind and dyslexic. The thing is, not only have I not put as many hours into the program, but it is not something that I’m fully dedicated to, at least to the extent to which I am dedicated to hiking. </p>
<p>And thus the problem is this, should I write about the unique thing I’m dedicated to, or write about a service that I provide to the community? And if I do write an essay about hiking, would that essay make me seem all about “me, me, me” as the first prompt wasn’t about service either, and thus decrease my chances of getting in? What do you think, dedication or service?</p>