<p>when i have no idea what i strive for?</p>
<p>This isn’t really something that you can BS. You need some introspection. Go to a quiet place and think long and hard about what you value and what you hope for. Why do you want to go to college? If you don’t have a reason besides societal expectations you might be screwed.</p>
<p>Also, your aspirations don’t necessarily have to be long term career type things.</p>
<p>well part of it is financial security in the long run, but i’m not sure if its a good point to have.</p>
<p>You can say financial security without saying it:</p>
<p>“Education is foundational to the rest of life. I wast to build a life for myself, composed of a career, a family, and a place in society, and the first step to doing that successfully is to attend college.”</p>
<p>Or something like that.</p>
<p>search “applying to UC the personal statement 2007” on you tube for a presentation by a UC admissions rep. She explains (to an audience of HS guidance counselors) what UC is looking for in the personal statement. The presentation is an hour long and it’s not very exciting, but it’s really worth your time.</p>
<p>ETA: This only applies if you are talking about the University of California essay. If it’s Chicago, then “never mind.”</p>