The Final Countdown: UC Application Tips for November 30th

Written by Amanda, University of Pennsylvania

With the University of California (UC) application deadline on November 30th, it's time to give your application a final review. Here’s a checklist to help you stay organized and some last-minute tips to make your application shine! 

Double-Check UC Requirements 

● No Letters of Recommendation: UC schools generally don’t require letters of recommendation, unless it's for a special program or scholarship. Focus on perfecting the rest of your application instead! 

● Personal Insight Questions (PIQs): You must answer 4 PIQs. Use them to show who you are beyond grades and test scores. Make sure your answers are thoughtful, personal, and polished! 

● Academic Records: Confirm that your transcript includes all required A-G courses and grades; these are essential for UC applications. 

Make Your Personal Insight Questions Count 

● Answer All 4 Questions: Ensure you’ve answered all 4 PIQs and adhered to the 350-word limit for each. 

● Show, Don’t Tell: Use specific examples to bring your experiences to life. For example, rather than just saying you’re a leader, share a story that shows how you led a team or initiative. 

● Show Variety: Cover different aspects of your life, such as academic achievements, extracurriculars, community service, and personal growth. 

● Proofread: Read your PIQs for clarity, grammar, and spelling errors. If possible, ask a friend or teacher to review them for a fresh perspective. 

Check Your Academic Information 

● A-G Courses: Verify that all required A-G courses are accurately reported in your application. 

● UC GPA: UC schools use a weighted GPA system that gives extra points for AP, IB, or UC-approved honors courses. Make sure you’ve correctly listed these classes.

● Senior Year Classes: Although junior-year grades are crucial, UC schools want to see that you’re challenging yourself in senior year. Include all your current coursework. 

Highlight Your Activities and Awards 

● Be Specific: When describing your activities, use concrete details. For example, instead of writing “helped with fundraising,” say, “raised $2,500 for a local charity by organizing two community events.” 

● Unique Interests: If you’ve pursued interesting activities outside of school, such as starting a YouTube channel or Twitch stream, include them to show your passions and initiative.

● Prioritize: List your most important accomplishments first. Admissions officers want to know what’s meaningful to you! 

Tips to Stand Out 

● Applying to the School, Not a Major: UC schools typically admit students to the university, not directly into a major. Focus on showcasing your overall strengths and potential. 

● First-Generation Students: If you’re the first in your family to attend college, highlight this in your PIQs; it’s an asset UC schools value! 

● Be Authentic: Share your true story and don’t shy away from discussing challenges, as long as you show what you’ve learned from them. 

Final Proofread and Review 

● Proofread Everything: Review your entire application one more time, including essays, academic records, and activity descriptions. 

● Formatting: Ensure that everything is formatted correctly, especially when copying text into the UC application system. 

● Technical Details: Double-check any file size or character count limits to ensure nothing is cut off or incomplete. 

Staying Calm – Perfection Isn’t the Goal! 

● Handling Stress: As the deadline approaches, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember, UC schools value your potential, not perfection. Focus on showcasing your strengths and unique perspective, not on making everything flawless. Trust the effort you've already put in! 

● Avoid Comparisons: Focus on what makes you unique, not on how your application stacks up against others. Your experiences and perspective are what will make you stand out! 

Submitting Your Application 

● Check Payment: Confirm that you’ve paid the application fee or applied for a fee waiver.

● Confirmation Email: After submitting, look for a confirmation email and save it for your records. 

● Deadline Reminder: The UC application deadline is November 30th, 2024, at 11:59 PM PST. UC schools do not accept late submissions, so be sure to hit submit well before the deadline! 

By following this checklist and carefully reviewing your application, you’ll be set to submit a strong and polished UC application. For more information on UC requirements, financial aid, and more, visit the UC Application website. Good luck, you’ve got this!

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