The nine-campus University of California system is arguably the best public university system in the world. Its flagship campus—UC Berkeley—and its most glamorous campus—Beverly Hills-adjacent UCLA—are ranked#4 (Berkeley) and #14 (UCLA) on U.S. News & World Report’s global universities list. It’s no wonder students are drawn to apply to the UCs, which, together, admit nearly 40,000 students each year. For applicants, the good news is that one application allows you to apply to any number of UC campuses. The not-so-good news: you will need to learn the ins and outs of the UC application. And since the application does not include (and will not consider) test scores or letters of recommendation, your Activities & Awards List is the most important way to convey your impact.
Common App 911/UC App 911
Step-by-step strategic support.
Fortunately, we have seven tips on how to leverage the UC Application, using the options available to best highlight your strengths within the pesky word limits and text boxes.
HOW TO LEVERAGE THE UC APPLICATION
Tip #1: Be sure to draft your list on a separate Word document or Google sheet vs. on the UC app’s website. This gives you a chance to review, edit, and re-order your list before filling out the online application itself.
Tip #2: You will have space for 20—yes, you read that right—20 activities and awards. Don’t panic: quality outweighs quantity. In fact, you will lessen the impact of your list by including “fluff” that holds little meaning for you or the admissions officer.
Tip #3: You will be asked to categorize your list, choosing among (1) Award or honor, (2) Educational prep program, (3) Extracurricular activity, (4) Other coursework, (5) Volunteer/community service, and (6) Work experience. There is no advantage or disadvantage to hitting every category: focus on those activities and awards that are the highest impact (more on that in Tip #4).
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Tip #4: UC admissions officers are looking for commitment (the time you’ve dedicated to the activity), progression (how you’ve grown from the activity), and leadership (traits like accountability, initiative, and responsibility). At Top Tier Admissions, we guide students to cultivate all of these qualities by digging deep when they have a passion or academic interest. For example, put in the time to develop your interest in coding by taking a Python course online; progress in your skills by building your own chatbot for a science fair/competition; demonstrate leadership by mentoring younger students with fewer resources through a coding bootcamp at a public library or jumping on an open-source project for social good. In these ways, you move way beyond club membership or a high school course and prove your ability to make an impact.
Tip #5: With space for 350 characters (more than twice the paltry 150-character limit of the Common App), the UC Application allows you to more fully describe your actions and their impacts. For example, “Founded the AAS Club” conveys no important information, while “Recruited 15 new members to the Autism Awareness and Support Club I founded to educate my peers through monthly presentations. We support those with autism through a weekly ‘lunch with a buddy’ program” uses description to give context and details that support your leadership, initiative, and commitment.
Tip #6: Think outside the box when considering what activities to include: family obligations or hobbies, as well as more traditional school clubs or sports teams, can highlight your strengths. If you regularly help your younger brother with math homework or perform original songs at open mic events, those activities count! They may also show a more caring or creative side to you, and admissions officers appreciate a multi-dimensional applicant.
Tip #7: Think like an admissions officer. Applicants are often thinking, “why do I want to go to this university?” and may be asked to specifically answer that question. However, admissions officers are also deeply attuned to what you will bring to their campus and classrooms. For instance, they often refer to “the roommate test”: would I (or my son or daughter) want this applicant as a roommate? Consider whether your activities and awards convey your personal qualities: compassion, flexibility, teamwork, etc. You want to pass that roommate test!
MAXIMIZE THE UC ACTIVITY LIST
Like the Common Application, the UC application gives you space to showcase your talents, passions and potential. But to leverage that space to best meet—and exceed—UC admissions officers’ standards, refer to these tips. For more support filling out the UC application or Common App, work one-on-one with a Top Tier Admissions senior private counselor in our Common App/UC App 911 Program. Leverage every section of your application with expert guidance and get your questions answered in a two-hour session.
As an added bonus, gain access to our “Mysteries of the Common App” or “Mysteries of the UC App” PDF, free with purchase, with specific advice and exclusive tips on how to leverage the Common Application/UC Application using the options available on the online form.
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