@LomoKuan The UCs are looking for leadership, demonstrated concern for others or challenges you have faced and overcome. If you can find a way to tie any of these into your area of interest (major) you will have a fantastic personal statement. They are not considered “essays” because the style of writing carries little weight. They are looking for “character” not style.
The statements carry more weight for non-engineering majors; engineering majors get the lowest bump from personal statements.