I'll also be sharing with you my University of California (UC) personal essays for the college application. I have my Common Application (private universities) essays but I got rejected so I'd rather not show them. Also, the UC essays best show my point for writing college application essays.

I'll dedicate a separate chapter on essay writing and college application essay writing. 

For the UC Application, you have to choose four out of eight questions to answer with a 350-word limit for each question. These were all of the questions. I copied and pasted it straight from the website. 

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.

Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family?

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.

Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career?

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

Things to consider: If there's a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it. You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule.

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

Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you — just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who are you today?

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?

Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, "How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family?"

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Things to consider: Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom — such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs — and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place — like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community?

8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Things to consider: If there's anything you want us to know about you, but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

__________________________________________

[The following are my UC applications personal essays.]

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.

It was my first meeting as president of Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) club and my mentors, professionals of these three fields, asked me what I loved about the club. Looking around the classroom filled with new members, I knew my answer needed to rile interest and motivation in them.

I explained that ACE gave me many opportunities that no other club can amount to. By dedicating my time and energy, I was able to gain knowledge about engineering, develop connections with professionals, make experiences through construction projects, and create memories alongside friends. ACE allowed me to make an investment in my future just as how they, merely by just attending this meeting, are as well. Seeing the inspiration in their eyes ensured me that I helped create a new generation of students dedicated to helping our nation's infrastructure.

But there would not be any students left if arguments flared up when glue guns are close at hand. In an annual tower-building competition, I mediated between two arguing club members and helped them negotiate a compromise. As a leader, I believe that cooperation and open-mindedness are vital in a group effort. The more group projects we faced, the more I realized the responsibility I carried for my team in actively and effectively motivating them, communicating with them, and giving them constructive criticism. In group competitions, I oversee the engineering aspect of the structure. Comments such as "Doesn't that foundation look too thin?" allow my members to develop solutions to these problems and enforce the habit of inspecting for any potential weaknesses for future projects without my help.

I have professional mentors in this club that are able to guide me about what to learn on the fields ACE stands for. But I understand that I am now the mentor of my new club members. It is my duty to provide them the guidance they need to drive their newfound interests and ensure that they will also lead future students down the path of ACE just as how I did for them.

Word Count: 341/350

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

Writing allows me to free my creativity, inner thoughts, and, sometimes, frustrations in my life.

What gave me the opportunity to discover my writing talent was when I created an account in the online storytelling community Wattpad. There, I write poetry and stories under the username RubixCube89201.

When I write, I am omnipotent and able to create people, worlds, and adventures. Creating a character is like raising a child as he or she progresses in life, only you control their thoughts, actions, and everything that has or will happen to them. It becomes a journey for both me and my character as we venture into the plot. And it is the plot where my imagination can run free as I am able to test the limits of my creativity.

Looking back at my first book, which I wrote at 12, I can see not only the growth of my characters, but I can also see how my writing skills have grown tremendously. Along with my characters, I am excited how my writing grows.

The development of my writing ability is stemmed from my stubbornness. Despite the fact that my early stories lack character development and possess hand-me-down plots, my desire to create made me continue writing until my hands ached. But with every new story published, I was able to develop my writing to its full potential. And yet, I still continue to learn how to improve my writing whether it is a school or personal assignment.

Although it began as a hobby, I am honored to receive awards for my writing such as the 2015 Wattys Talk of the Town Award for my book. There were many debates and theories on the story's plot. It also made my readers think critically about controversial subjects such as human rights. I received an invitation to become a Wattpad Star, offering me projects such as writing a story of women empowerment to promote the "The Handmaid's Tale" writing contest.

My passion for writing pours words from my fingertips- it is both an escape from life and a gateway to finding my voice.

Word Count: 350/350

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?

Being a victim of bullying changed my life. Having to endure the shame and embarrassment of being targeted because of my acne, short stature, and social awkwardness made me become a stronger person. As the subject of my peers' snide comments and connect-the-dot punchlines, my shattered confidence left me more introverted. I used to be an outspoken student, but my insecurities stopped me from being a presence in class.

Hiding behind books, I not only spared people from looking at my face but I also developed my love for writing. My novel, "The Good Girl's Bad Boys: The Good, The Bad, and The Bullied", is about a high school senior, Naomi Lorraine, trying to survive her last year of being bullied by her peers. As I pondered how Naomi would finally be able to find herself after years of bullying, I was overwhelmed with tears. How could I make my character appreciate herself when I was unable to do it for myself? After months of reflection, I realized that I must never allow someone's words force an image onto me. Channeling my bullying experience through writing helped me thrive on a personal level by learning to accept myself just as my own character did. I realized that Naomi was a reflection of me and when I wanted her to find value in herself, I unconsciously desired it for myself.

The struggle of having to endure bullying taught me to appreciate myself. I no longer allowed my insecurities to hold me back from my full potential. I forced myself to participate more in class and show my bullies that I always had a voice. I finally put a stop to allowing people to affect my academic achievements.

My book gave me a haven in a place where I felt so lost and vulnerable. I channeled my depression, stress, and frustration into my words. My readers told me that my message empowered them to overcome their bullying experience. In the end, I made a writing platform that helped spread awareness on the cruelty of bullying.

Word Count: 342/350

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

In the summer of 2016, I stepped into enemy territory as I entered the grounds of my rival high school. I was not taking the traitorous path, I was only attending the summer engineering course, Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD).

This class taught by the concept of "learning by doing". As much as I enjoy sitting in my classroom, tediously taking notes from lectures and textbooks, I was able to get up from my squeaky desk and do something productive.

Our main project was to renovate a garage that would become a workshop for future students to use. As the teacher lifted open the garage doors, the whole class shuddered in disgust as we were assaulted by the cobweb-infested room. Armed with brooms and hoses, we rid the grime off the walls and floors. I helped my classmates as we learned how to use the 3D graphics program, SketchUp, to design our own versions of the renovation. Then I calculated critical measurements before actually constructing furniture as my tiny hands wielded power tools such as drills, sanders, and miter saws. I was taught vital safety procedures and basic construction skills which is foundational to my intended major in civil engineering.

It was this class that led me to pursue this field when my teacher told me he saw I had a future as an engineer. I valued such guidance and support my teacher had given me. From the class, I joined extracurricular activities such as ACE club and Habitat for Humanity. The experience made me seek out courses that challenge me to learn actively, not passively; engage in activities, not memorize vocabulary; and create new ideas, not copy notes. I also aspire to be able to accomplish more projects that help me not only gain experience in leadership and skills but in teamwork and compromise.

My summer was not spent in the comforts of an air-conditioned classroom. Instead, it inspired me to get a tan, not from lying on the beach, but from sawing planks and nailing two-by-fours under the blazing sun.

Word Count: 340/350