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Why Parents Worry About UC Essays
Your student may have strong grades, impressive extracurriculars, and even high test scores. Yet none of that matters if their UC essays fall flat. The University of California requires four Personal Insight Questions. Each is capped at only 350 words.
On paper this seems short. In reality it is one of the hardest parts of the entire UC application. Parents often tell me:
“My child keeps staring at a blank page.”​​
“Everything sounds cliché.”
“We do not know which prompts to choose.”
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Meanwhile the numbers are daunting. UCLA admitted fewer than one in ten students last cycle. UC Berkeley admitted around fourteen percent. UCI admitted under thirty percent. The odds are shrinking every year.
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When admissions officers review thousands of files, the PIQs often make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection.
The Solution: A Free Step by Step Guide
That is why I created this PIQ booklet. It simplifies the process so students can write with confidence. Inside you will find:
A clear explanation of all eight UC PIQ prompts
Time tested outlines that work for any essay
A “show, do not tell” method that makes writing come alive
Brainstorming exercises to spark original ideas
Tips for avoiding common clichés
Advice that also applies to supplemental essays at non UC schools
This booklet is short, practical, and free. Your student can start using it the same day.
Why Trust The Perfect Score Tutor
I am Joey Lin, known as The Perfect Score Tutor. Over the past five years I have read thousands of UC applications for two different UC campuses. I know exactly what admissions officers look for. I also know which mistakes cause an application to be pushed aside.
Families trust me because I combine insider knowledge with real results. More than ninety percent of the students I work with are admitted to at least one top choice UC. My students have earned spots at UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, and many more.
When you use this booklet you are not just getting tips. You are getting the same strategies I teach my one on one clients.
01.
“This guide helped my daughter finally understand what UC essays are really asking. She was able to confidently navigate writing her essays"
02.
“My son used the outlines and finished all four of his PIQs before Thanksgiving. He was admitted to UCLA.”
03.
“Our school counselor really had no clue how to help us navigate the application process since we're located outside of California. We're grateful to the guidance Joey provides."
What Parents and Students Say
The Deadline Is Approaching
The UC application closes on November 30. Waiting until the last minute is a recipe for stress and sloppy writing. Parents who start their students early see stronger essays and a smoother process.
This is why you should download the PIQ booklet today. Even if your student has only a few hours a week, these outlines will get them moving in the right direction immediately.
Your Next Step
Join my Facebook group High School to College where I post weekly insights for parents, strategies for students, and reminders about every major deadline.
Together we can take the mystery out of the UC essays and give your student the best chance possible.