# UC Davis

**Source**: https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/personal-insight-questions
**Parent**: https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/international

## How to answer the Personal Insight Questions

Your responses to the Personal Insight Questions are an important component of your first-year or transfer application. Your responses allow us to get to know you through your experiences and accomplishments.

### **First-year Personal Insight Questions**

First-year applicants must respond to four short-answer prompts chosen from [eight options](https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/personal-insight-questions.html). There is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain prompts over others. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

### **Transfer Personal Insight Questions**

Transfer applicants must respond to four short-answer prompts — one mandatory prompt and their choice of three from the other [seven options](https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-transfer/personal-insight-questions.html). There is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain prompts over others. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

### **Writing a successful response**

Elaborate upon any insights you gained or how your outlook, activities, commitment or goals have been influenced.

- Provide specific examples of experiences, accomplishments, etc. that occurred during or after high school that weren’t captured in your application.
- Keep your responses focused and convey your strengths and positive qualities.
- Write a first draft, leave it for a day or two and return to make revisions. Read each draft aloud to catch misspellings, awkward or inappropriate wording.
- Review your responses as if you were making the final decision. Is this the application of a future leader?
- Check your responses with a teacher, counselor or other advisor for clarity.

### Common pitfalls

- Writing about events that are long past
- Reiterating information listed elsewhere in the application
- Listing accomplishments without explanation or detail
- Rambling, unfocused thoughts
- Being overly humorous, self-deprecating or glorifying

### **Instructions for scholarship applicants**

Some scholarship committees review your responses to the Personal Insight Questions while other scholarships, such as the [Cal Aggie Alumni Association scholarships](http://www.alumni.ucdavis.edu/about-us/scholarships), may require separate applications and essays. Visit our [scholarships](https://www.ucdavis.edu/cost/financial-aid-scholarships) page to learn more about scholarships available at UC Davis.

## MT: Apply to UC Davis

[### Apply to UC Davis

Image](https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply)