Personal Insight Questions

Directions: Pick 4 from the 8 options below. Clearly state which ones you
are choosing in the box below. Clearly state which draft you are working on
as these evolve. You can find guiding questions and more here.

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have

positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group
efforts over time.
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.
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you
developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational
opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you
have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your
academic achievement?
6. Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced
you.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better
place?
8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates
applying to the University of California?

Chosen Question Draft # Notes

MODEL: Describe your favorite 3 I think I have a strong hook but my

academic subject and explain
how it has influenced you.
What would you say is your
greatest talent or skill? How have
you developed and demonstrated
that talent over time?
word count is too long. I am really
struggling with showing how
chemistry influenced me. I will work
with Ms. Willis next week.
2 Playing around with my statements for
better structure.

Describe how you have taken 2 Go more in depth with this

advantage of a significant opportunity.
educational opportunity or worked Incorporate how this opportunity
to overcome an educational barrier affected me.
you have faced.

1
Describe the most significant 1 Be more in depth with how it affected
challenge you have faced and the you academically
steps you have taken to overcome
this challenge. How has this
challenge affected your academic
achievement?

What have you done to make your 1 Write more about your impact to the
school or your community a better community.
place?

Prompt 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have
you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? -- Draft 2

My sister had a huge bookshelf in the room we shared. Since I was too young to read any
of her high school books, I began to visit the spot filled with typed and printed work for kids my
age. I spent my time at the school library when my mom had to stay longer for work at my
elementary school.
A small passion being developed by reading pile of papers stitched with two pieces of
cardboard to hold them together, filled with artistry that has been dragged or issued with soft
ink-- books.
I became motivated by a caring teacher who told me I was in the verge of flunking
second grade due to my low proficiency in English reading and writing. I was mostly speaking
Spanish at home, since my dad did not understand English very well, and learning French and
English at school. My knowledge, thoughts, along with my speech and vocabulary expanded.
In my middle school year, I began to read my sisters books from her bookshelf. This led
me to have the aspiration to become a writer.
My neurologist urged the need to lay off writing due to the nerves that were cramping my
wrist. I began to transfer my writing by having my fingers typing my work in my computer. My
thoughts overflowed so much that I simply find typing way much faster and fluently.
My skill has been demonstrated by being part of an essay contest, coming second place
out of the three candidates at my high school, and writing ceaselessly in a journal that was given
to me from my eighth grade english teacher.
I am now the person whom my peers ask when they need someone to edit, or find their
inspiration.

Word Count: 291

Prompt 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant
educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier
you have faced. -- Draft 2

2
 One teacher, in my sophomore year, saw that I was capable of passing an AP exam by
simply letting her tutor me and a few other students whom she saw had the same capability. She
assisted by giving us critical feedback, practice tests, and ensuring we were verbally practicing
the language which would help us pass the exam. In response to her teaching with endless study
hours, I was led to pass the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam.
I gave her my dedication by giving her my time and effort. I took what I learned and
applied it to my schoolwork by writing stronger essays in both english and spanish language. I
involved what was taught from her to other aspects in my life by taking academic risks and being
able to balance my average school work plus additional studying for this AP exam I was
planning to take.
This made me feel ready to take any opportunity that was given to me. The doors of
possibilities were opening. In my junior year, I was again told by two teachers of my
competence in passing their AP exams, history and English language. If I studied and reviewed
efficiently, I would have the capability to pass.
However, the amount of fee was preventing me to take the exams. I knew my mother was
not able to give me hundred-and-six dollars out of her pocket and I was too embarrassed to ask
anyone who would be willing to help. I didnt want to owe someone money for an exam I had
fifty-fifty chance of passing.
About two weeks before the AP exams, I was called for pre registration and was told that
I was given a scholarship that would pay for two exams. I knew right there and then that I could
not let a paltry excuse prevent me from taking such opportunity.

Word Count: 314

3
Prompt 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the
steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge
affected your academic achievement? -- Draft 1

The moment my dad passed away, my mom was too distraught to decide what steps she
wanted to take next. I was later taken to a room with his doctor, his sister, and my older sister.
My sister explained the two options that were given to my mother in the first place, do one more
surgery but have him in a vegetable state (having nurses around), or remove the ventilation. We
gave the doctor authorization to unplug his cord. It was in that setting, my big sister took the role
of my mother's place by remaining alert.
Within my home, my life became filled with complete sadness. Especially since my
mother and I switched up rooms due to her weakness in grieving. The bond my family had,
changed as we allowed depression, emptiness, and anger be the dominate of our lives. I became
more self-sufficient and remained only with my best friend. She as well was grieving her fathers
death. Through her, I learned grieving never really ends.
I gained more motivation to continue working hard in school. My academic life was
transfigured because it made me want to make my father proud. I went out of my comfort zone
and began to seek help for my academics. I was getting asked by the teachers and staff in my
school if I needed a break or less work, but I denied their offer and instead asked for more work.
I wanted to overachieve and demonstrate my capability in academics. I didnt want to set excuses
that would hold me back from working hard in school. This challenge pushed me harder to
achieve.
I decided to let joy dominate my life--not depression, emptiness, and anger.

Word Count: 279

4
Prompt 7. What have you done to make your school or your community a
better place? -- Draft 1
I live in a community mixed with mexicans in front of my house, laos next to the
mexicans, and samoans on my left when I am standing outside my house. The need of prudent
and equipment in my community is truly needed. Maybe not as much as to where I have visited,
but enough need to help, save, and equip.
I began to get more involved in my church and wanted to take part in making a difference
in my community. I did so by volunteering in Toys for Joy. The day before the event, I helped
set up the setting that held the event. My church took over five locations around San Diego to
impact more people in different communities. We were setting up toys, grocery bags, clothing,
free lunches, and books for families.
I was inspired to act because my mother and sister participated in this event last year and
explained to me about the warmth of joy they felt in their hearts, knowing they were helping out
families. My mom was more heartfelt because she was also in their shoes once. She didnt
always have food, clothing, and food to give to my older siblings, especially during the holidays.
The time I spent in the event, my heart began to feel so much love and compassion.
Being able to have the chance to see the families be so grateful, was an amazing experience. Not
only were we helping them out by providing them what we could but also having conversation,
giving them hope and pouring love to them from the words that spoke out of our mouths.
My big sister told me she had a surprise for me during my time in the event, my reward
for giving back to my community was not only being part of the change, but seeing one of my
favorite singer, Frankie J. Although he does live in my city, it was the first time I saw him in
person.
Helping my community become a better place was one of the most joyful experience Ive
had in my life.

Word Count: 348

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Prompt 8. What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other
candidates applying to the University of California? -- Draft 1
My favorite part of my body is my back, my spine. My spine supports my body remain
upright while walking, carry things, and gives me a fine posture,
In 2012, I began to feel so much soreness, from my neck, my shoulders, to my lower
back. The feeling of pain, as if a heavy boulder was set upon me. As I lay down in bed, the
discomfort is still present. I find laying on the floor relaxing as to my back is unbending. The
pain only rests when I am deeply fallen to sleep, when my body completely shuts down.
My mom notified my pediatrician who sent me to specialists that ran some tests. I was
told my muscle tension and nerve reactions were caused from stress and anxiety by my
neurologist. I was told to relax and not worry so much. I was told to only contact her if an
emergency.
It was by an orthopedic surgeon-spine who diagnosed me with mild scoliosis. Mild
scoliosis is when the spine is slightly shaped like the letter c or s. The pain and health
problem is the crucial outcome, although, there is no treatment.
In my case, my spine was shaped like the letter s. My right shoulder is slightly lower,
waist is curvier, and my leg is about half an inch shorter compared to my left side. I am
prohibited to do some sports and get tired more easily than my friends.
However, I still continue with my day to day life. As I see copies of my MRI scans, I can
only embrace my bones even more. As I feel the pain that draws from my neck to my lower back
and expands to my shoulders, I can only appreciate having to ability to walk. Because just as the
pain never ends--the trials in life never end.

Word Count: 309