personal insight questions:guide for freshman applicantsGetting started
This worksheet is designed to help freshman applicants start the writing process for the personal insight questions in the undergraduate
admissions application. Additional hints and suggestions can be found on UC’s admissions website at ucal.us/personalquestions.

What are the personal insight questions?
These questions are about getting to know you better — your life
experience, interests, ambitions and inspirations. Think of it as yourinterview with the admissions office. Be open. Be reflective. Find yourindividual voice and express it.
While this section of the application is just one part we consider when
making our admission decision, it helps provide context for the rest of
your application.

The basics• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to any
4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you: But
you should select questions that are most relevant to yourexperience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.
• All questions are equal: All questions are given equal consideration inthe application review process, which means there is no advantage ordisadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which

you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, orcontributed to group efforts over time.
How do you define “leader”? List three words that you think describe
what a leader is:
1.
2.
3.
Do any of these words apply to you? How? Is there a time in your life
when you displayed any of these traits?
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many

ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically,
to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 		
Can you think of a time your viewpoint was unique compared toothers? What was the issue or problem from your perspective? Now
think of the same situation from the perspective of another person
who was there with you. How was your approach different from that
other person’s?
Was there ever a problem where your imagination and intuition
guided you to the solution?
Do you have a passion for music, theater, visual art, dance, etc.? What
have you gained from it that has affected other parts of your life?

Freshman questions & brainstorm exercise

3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have

The following exercises are suggestions to help you get started.
Remember, you don’t have to answer all eight questions – you only
need to answer four. So if some questions aren’t the right fit foryou, that’s OK. The important thing is expressing who are you, whatmatters to you and what you want to share with UC.

you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
List three of your talents or skills:
1.
2.
3.
Were these talents or skills the same a few years ago? What changed?
What improved?
Which one of the three talents or skills you listed is the mostmeaningful or important to you and why? Does the talent comenaturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent?

personal insight questions:guide for freshman applicants

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant

educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational
barrier you have faced.
Feel free to speak about either an opportunity or a barrier. It’s OK if
you’ve experienced one and not the other.
educational opportunities:
List any programs or additional classes that have better prepared you
for college:
1.
2.
3.
How did you find out about these programs or classes? How did you
take what you learned and apply it to your schoolwork or other aspectsof your life?

(#6 continued)
Maybe there’s a course you haven’t taken at school that you wish you
did take or are looking forward to taking in college. How have you
pursued your interest in that subject outside of school?
7. What have you done to make your school or your community abetter place?
Did you contribute to a positive change at your school or in yourcommunity? What steps have you taken to accomplish this? Remember,even small changes can have a big impact. Why were you inspired toact? What did you learn from your effort?
8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what doyou believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions
to the University of California?

educational barriers:
Have you faced any barriers or challenges related to school and/or yourschoolwork? How did you overcome or strive to overcome them? List
three personal characteristics or skills you had to call on
to overcome this challenge:
1.
2.
3.

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent
choice for UC? Don’t be afraid to brag a little. Here are a few lists tohelp you get started.

5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced andWhat are you passionate about?
1.
2.
3.

the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has thischallenge affected your academic achievement?
Have you had a difficult experience in your life? How did you getthrough it? What did you learn going through this experience? If you’recurrently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing
now and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example,
ask yourself, “How has my life changed at home, at my school, with myfriends, or with my family?”
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe

how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of theclassroom.
Think about all of the classes you’ve taken at school. Now fill in theblank: I would go to [class name] even if I didn’t have to.
It doesn’t have to be a class in which you’ve earned good grades –the important thing is you enjoyed the subject and it impacted
you in some way.

What do you value in your life? What’s important to you? List threeof them here:
1.
2.
3.

When you attend UC, what three things are you most looking
forward to?
1.
2.
3.
Does anything overlap? Is there anything from the lists that you want
to expand on?

Next stepsAs you filled out the worksheet, were there any topics that seemed
particularly interesting? You might consider answering those questions
as part of your application. But the choice is yours! Take your time inselecting which questions to answer and how to answer them. For more
information, visit our website at ucal.us/personalquestions.