UC Prompt #6: Favorite Academic Area
by Sarah M.
UC prompt #6: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside the classroom.
This is an ideal topic for students with a longstanding intellectual passion, but writing it well can be a bit tricky. First of all, if you love a topic and know a lot about it, it can be tempting to write an essay about that topic itself. After years of study, it is understandable that you might want to share your knowledge and your insights on a particular author, or a technological innovation, or a little-known genre of music.
However, it’s essential to remember that this essay needs to be not about your topic, but about YOU. The primary focus must be how you have learned about or applied your particular area of knowledge, and what it shows about you as a person. The prompt asks about how you have “furthered” your interest, and that is key: you need to show how you have put your knowledge into action.
- Do be specific. Don’t tell us about your love of history, but the particular moment in history that first captivated you, and why. Don’t talk about “engineering” – delve into that large field and explain the specific parts of it that you love most.
- Do explain real-world applications. Tell us about how you used your love of botany to create a guide on the native species of your area, to educate other citizens. Or how you applied your passion for trigonometry to building a treehouse in your backyard.
- Do not list achievements. It’s okay to touch on some of these if they are relevant to the actions you took, but for the most part your accolades should stay in your resume. This essay is for reflection and analysis.
- Do not write purely about classroom learning or research. Remember, you need to bring your topic out into the world and show how it has affected you and the rest of your life.
