All of these aspects enrich the wide diversity of the student body and should be granted an important place in the review of the applicants. Some students have confronted significant challenges or obstacles in life, obstacles serious enough to have prevented them from achieving at the level they might otherwise have reached. Such students need greater determination and creativity to succeed. Their ability to perform despite adverse circumstances is evidence of maturity. These students develop a sense of responsibility by successfully balancing elements while maintaining the quality of their academic performance, i.e. , achieving UC eligibility or better.
Research also shows that they have greater difficulty in attending post-secondary institutions.
Thus weight is given to students with this disadvantage to ensure that they are not completely eliminated from admission. In some situations, geographic locations are associated with limitations which also serve to deter students from greater personal achievement. When such is the case, students who have availed themselves of as many opportunities as possible stand out as top applicants. A strong personal statement could also reflect the applicant s understanding of the value of higher education and how the continued mastery of academic subjects or participation in academic activities outside the high school curriculum relates to the applicant s future educational and career goals. Information contained in the Personal Statement should be used to enhance the CAR or PAA ranks or the LC points.