1. Prompt 1: Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you?

At a young age I remember thinking of the academic environment as an intimidating one. I had watch my sister struggle
with her school subjects, especially math, and dreaded what was yet to come for me.
Despite my worries, I soon noticed that concentration was the key. I tried my best to make my parents proud and
continued to climb the ladder at my own pace.
However my concept fell apart when I entered fourth grade. Intimidated by the complexity that the subject math was, I
ignored it and constantly fought its profitable use in the real word. I remember seeing myself as a mirror image of my sister's
frustration on the subject. My parents would push me to ask questions and try my best, but understanding it seemed futile.
Fifth grade came and It was no better, but I knew that my attitude had to change. I wanted a fresh start. Instead of seeing
it as a foreign object I decided to see it as my personal challenge and motivation. I no longer wanted to be abandoned by my lack
of understanding.
I asked more questions and friends and teachers would kindly come to my aid. My days now consisted of looking at
online examples and note taking.
I was finally understanding and it felt exceptional. Math no longer was a frightening concept, but a welcoming one. Yes,
there were times it was still challenging, but I saw beauty these intercreate problems who were waiting to be solved. Im proud
to say that I began to take more challenging math courses, just simply because I wanted to learn more.
It had inspired me and I wanted to help others understand its significance. The roles had been reversed, when my
teammates struggled I now helped them. I was glad to be of use. Tackling this subject made me understand that understanding a
concept resided in how much effort an individual would place on it. It made me realize my true passion, and my future career
that was completely unexpected, I wanted to be a math teacher.

2. Prompt 2: 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?
Trapped in my own fear, I could only describe what I felt. My hands shook and my heart throbbed. Although the ac was
on I was sweating. Everything had become a blur to me to me the moment I stood up in front of the class.
In my last school, I had always been able to avoid public speaking. My teachers, saw what it did to me and would excuse
me from my duties. However, I could never avoid feeling disappointed. One by one I would see my classmates rise and show
proof of their hard work, I would be left behind.

I was worried for high school, It would be new teachers and students. They would be much more strict and expect more.
I was right, during the first week we were to create a presentation about ourselves. I had pondered on the subject for hours, I had
worked really hard on my presentation, I wanted to make a first new imprison. Despite my wishes, my fear had captured me and
drowned me in front of my new classmates. I had had enough.
As I wiped the tears
from my face I new things had to change. I wanted them to change.
As time would pass I would study habits on how to overcome my anxiety, I would say hello to strangers, I would
compliment them. This helped, I was expanding my horizon and increasing my confidence. And when time came to write a
research paper, I made mine on how to overcome social anxiety. I was changing into a person I was proud to be.
Then came finals, we were to give an inaugural address, although nervous the most amazing thing happened. I
delivered a loud and clear passionate speech. I had told myself before, do your best and just read, show how hard you worked on
this. Make it worth something. And I did, my classmates knowing I had been working hard clapped. I smiled.

3. Prompt 4: What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the
University of California?
As many easily walked passed me I felt stuck and frustrated. Like nothing I did matter, however I knew that even though
they had the chance to take it easy It didnt mean I could. In life I've experienced many obstacles, however Ive never let that get
me down. With a positive outlook on life I show grit and overcome them.
With this character Ive challenged my limits, inspired many, and grown as a person.
I do my best to value everything that I have and not let it go to waste. I work hard in order to be the best student,
daughter, sister, and friend I can be. I know others might not have what I have so I believe its better to make the most of it
instead of wishing for things that you don't have. My mother constantly telling me that shes grateful towards my kindness for
caring enough to share and give advice.
I listen to peoples problems and it brings me joy to be helpful in any way that I can. Either by helping them on their
homework or motivating them to do better. And although I struggle on topics as well, I want to better understand them so I can
later gift others with the knowledge that I have.
During my summer I volunteered my time to help out my peers so they could catch up on their studies, I also helped my
friend from another school on her homework.
I strive to be proud of the person I am I look forward to any form of improvement that I can achieve.

4. Prompt 4.: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to
overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
Being the middle child in my family wasnt always an easy. Since the furthest that my parents had gone in their
education was elementary they struggled to help me on my homework. My older sister was too busy understanding her work and
couldnt help me on certain subjects since she struggled on them as well.
As I grew the material grew difficult. I felt alone.
I remember that my classmates would boast that the reason for their A had been because they had someone to explain
the material at home. Their parents were either engineers or teachers. Their siblings would be in college and could easily come to
their aid.
I on the other hand found a loophole. Since we lived close to a library, after school instead of going straight home, I
would go and look and receive tutoring from the program they would provide. I used my surroundings to my advantage. I would
fill my mind with examples found on books and ask multiple questions. Because of this I no longer felt alone. Because of this I
had the ability to help my older sister on her homework and teached my parents a few things as well. They would happily ask me
questions on the things that they had missed out on as children and I would gladly explain. Instead of looking at my position as a
burden I saw it as an opportunity to become the determined and helpful person that I am now.