As you all might know, the UCs uses a different system than Commonapp, that is their own UC application system. There are nine UCs in total, but only one UC portal to rule them all (reminiscent of LOTR ehh?).
The University of California application system is definitely more "mafan"(troublesome) than the Commonapp system, although there are considerable overlaps in filling up the forms. Firstly, you would have to state your family's income to an approximation. Secondly, you also have to fill in your grades from Grade 7 (Form 1) up to Grade 12 (A-Levels) of all the subjects you took. That's right, they do not only need your SPM and A-Levels results, but all the other subjects you took in school such as civic studies, P.E etc. You would also need to explain the grading system in your school which varies from school to school even here in Malaysia.
And there's where the problem lies. As Malaysians we certainly do not study the same topics as the Californians yet we were asked to fill in our subjects in the Californian system. For example, in California the students have to study Maths as separate subjects of Trigonometry, Geometry and Pre-calculus whereas we don't. So how does one rightly interprets the subject in the UC education system. One rule of thumb is to indicate as accurately as possible based on your own interpretations.
Luckily for my year there was a senior who painstakingly compiled all the application info and submitted it to Sunway's International Office of University Placement (IOUP). So those who are studying in Sunway are lucky to have the guide on filling up the UC system there. Anyways if you don;t have it, don't fret. Just translate to the best of your knowledge. There is no definitive right or wrong.
I advise people who wants to apply to the UCs hurry, for application usually closes at 31 November each year. They don't ask for recommendations (except for UC Bekerley which you may submit one)
but you would still have to answer their prompts - yes, I've let the cat out of the bag - more essays!
UC Essays
Prompt 1: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.Prompt 2: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
The two essays for Freshman are compulsory to be written, and must be within 1000 words for both combined. At first glance, the two seems similar but one is actually more on you while the other is about the world around you.
These topics are good for they are wide enough for people to talk about whatever you feel like while not too wide for you to don't know what to write. And this is the time when I introduced my special companion for writing essay - Essayhell! I stumbled across this essay coaching website while writing my UC essay and it definitely helped a lot.
Ok, that was my take on the UC Application system. For myself, I applied to two UCs, namely UCLA and UCB and got accepted by UCLA while rejected by the other. Although in the end I chose SUTD, it was still nice to know that I was selected out of the largest application pool there - or more than 97,000 people. I have a fascinating story on the essay that I chose to wrote, which you can see here.
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| Acceptance letter by the Bruins |
However, next year I have an exchange program to UCB which means that I have a chance to go one of the UCs at last! And I'll celebrate that with a homemade meme.
That's all folks
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