<p>Hey guys/gals the personal statement workshop presented by UC Berkeley’s transfer program was today and I thought I would give you guys the notes I took so everyone can benefit!</p>
<p>(These are all taken by me during the workshop, if there’s any specific question(s) regarding a certain aspect I’ll be happy to answer it if I remember what was said.)</p>
<p>What is most important?</p>
<p>-----Grades :
Higher the better (GPA; College of Letters and Science look at transferable GPA)</p>
<p>-----Preparation:
–at least 60 UC transfer credits
–General Education
-IGETC (or if engineering student, the equivalent)
–Major Requirements
-use (assist.org)
–Make sure you’re UC Eligible
-Meet requirements (IGETC, etc…)</p>
<p>-----Double Majoring:
–You apply as one major but do the prerequisites for both
–Once attending the school, petition to department to double major</p>
<p>-----Personal Statement strategies:
–2 questions, 1000 word max. suggested that each question is at least 250 words in length
–Things to think about while writing them…
What do you want them to know about yourself?
Information that’s not already in the application.
Think of the personal statement as a letter of recommendation that you’re writing yourself.</p>
<p>Basics of the question question:
- What is your major and why did you chose it?</p>
<p>Strategy A:</p>
<p>…I have chosen a major in ________ because I want to develop and explore my special interest in ______.</p>
<p>-Create a tone that shows you’re motivated, passionate, and dedicated.</p>
<p>Strategy B:</p>
<p>…Describe how you became interested in your major.</p>
<p>Examples: Book, hobbies, job, internship, teacher, class, etc.</p>
<p>Strategy C:</p>
<p>…Activities: Describe activities that demonstrate your interest in your major.</p>
<p>Examples: seminars, internships, job, voulenteer work, clubs, hobby, etc.</p>
<p>-Make sure to answer: why did you do it, what did you learn as a result, and what impact did it have on you.</p>
<p>Strategy D:</p>
<p>…Try to show or sescribe the connection between your major to professional goal.</p>
<p>(I don’t have anything else written for this.)</p>
<p>Basics of question 2:
2) Describe any special talent, quality, or challenge that’s important to you.</p>
<p>—Talent: examples: musician, writer, public speaker, artist, etc.</p>
<p>—Quality: examples: perseverance, resourceful, immigrant
-immigrant: culture/perspective, language, literature</p>
<p>—Challenges: examples: social, educational, disability, financial, family</p>
<pre><code> -Describe the impact on your academic progress or achievement, and how you responded to the challenge(s)
-Berkeley will not think of your challenges or needs as liabilities.
</code></pre>
<p>That’s everything that I have written down, hopefully it helped some of you guys out. Sorry if certain parts don’t make sense, just message or comment and I’ll try to clarify any confusion you guys may have.</p>
Or at least I did ;)</p>