It’s almost time to submit your UC application! The finish line is right around the corner but it’s not here quite yet. Take the next couple of days to really get your ducks in a row and polish the final details. You already did all the heavy lifting (hopefully), so make sure you submit something you feel proud of.
It’s necessary to double check all your information before you officially turn in your application. The details you provide help application readers understand everything that makes you, you — your academic story, your activities and your personal experiences. Read our three last-looks tips below and use them to guide your review.
Don’t just take my word for it — hear from our experts!
“Include all activities, awards, etc. We want to know what you are doing with your time. Additionally, context is important, so give us the scoop on how you got to where you are and why the information you share with us is important. Use the extra information boxes to provide more context and depth to your life and accomplishments. Above all else, take your time filling out the application fully and completely. These are all good uses of time when assembling your UC application.”
— Devon Bohart, associate director of first-year evaluation, UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions
Read these tips and more straight from UC admissions!
Match your academic history to your transcript
Your academic history should mirror your transcript, line by line. Don’t forget repeated classes, summer courses and your current class load. Each campus relies on the information you self-report to understand your academic path, so accuracy matters.
Include all details in activities and awards
Assume that the application reader doesn’t know anything about what club or activities you’re part of. Spell every acronym out and avoid confusing abbreviations. Each entry is short, so add important context: think depth not volume. Help the reader understand the scope of your involvement. Add numbers that clarify your impact, like how many members are in a club you lead. Don’t skip part-time jobs or family responsibilities because those are also valid commitments that show how you spend your time.
Answer questions authentically
Personal Insight Questions, or PIQs, aren’t essays. You don’t need to have an intro, body or conclusion. Application readers want to learn what you’re passionate about, what makes you tick, what challenges you overcame and about any opportunities you accepted. Don’t worry about what you think they want to hear. All that matters is you answer as authentically you.
UC applications are extremely student-driven and help share your story. Trust your voice — we’re excited to “meet” you.
Isabella Beristain returns to UC Davis as a staff writer and editor, after graduating in 2022. She works closely with the UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions team to bring you the inside scoop on admissions info. With over five years in marketing and a knack for storytelling, Isabella hopes to make your college start both entertaining and enlightening.