Smarter Admissions

For many California high school seniors, the UC Application is a familiar endeavor. In addition to completing personal background information, documenting A-G courses, and crafting an extended activities list, students must write responses to four Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). Each of these essays is a maximum of 350 words and should showcase a different quality, interest, or accomplishment to offer the admissions committee a complete picture of the student. Fortunately, students can utilize quality resources that can help them write strong PIQs.

Official Advice from the UC System

The UC System website is a treasure trove of tips and tricks for completing the UC Application cohesively and compellingly. There are several fantastic resources that pertain directly to the PIQs:

• Personal Insight Questions – How to Apply: Start with this page which provides the prompts, directions, and “things to consider” as you brainstorm your responses.
• From the page above, if you click on the link in the blue box that says “Need More Help,” you’ll be taken to a pdf with even more leading questions to help you think about how you can persuasively approach the PIQs.
• Applying to UC? Get expert tips on how to answer the PIQs: This page gives guidance on what UC wants, common questions, and links to worksheets to guide student responses.
• This resource offers advice about Shaping your Personal Narrative with tips from UC admissions officers in a Q&A format.
• “Expert Tips: How to Write a PIQ” is a blog post from the UC Davis admissions office. The article offers advice on finding prompts that fit you, use your voice, and make your essays authentic.
• The UC Merced “Tips From an Editor” article walks students through practical writing and rewriting strategies. It reminds students to be aware of the intended audience and avoid over-writing.
• Remember that not all PIQ advice is equal! Watch the UC Davis admissions director separate fact from fiction regarding social media advice about how to write PIQ responses.

At the 2025 Counselor Conference hosted by the UC Office of the President, nearly every campus representative stressed the importance of approaching the PIQs as if they were a formal written interview. For students who do not enjoy narrative writing, the straightforward style favored by the UCs is welcome. For students who find talking about their achievements difficult, PIQs can be challenging to write. Lean in to the opportunity to celebrate your successes!

Be specific, but not too specific!

Remember that students use the same singular application for any and all UC campuses where they want to be considered for admission. This means that PIQ responses should not favor one campus over another (unless the student is applying for only one campus); instead, the student needs to demonstrate how they will fit in and contribute to the University of California system.