Personal Insight Questions
Overview of the PIQs
Context is key in the University of California (UC) application because they are not comparing student to student, they are looking at each student’s individual experiences and environment. The Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) have the following purposes:
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Allows students to express who they are, what matters to them and what they want the UC to know
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Provides context for selection, scholarships, gaps in education, etc.
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Allows the student to tell their own experiences…They want to hear it!
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Most UC campuses don’t conduct interviews or accept letters of recommendation, this is the student’s opportunity to self advocate
Freshman applicants must respond to 4 of the 8 questions with a maximum of 350 words for each response. Students should select questions that are most relevant to their experiences and that best reflect their individual circumstances. All questions have equal value; there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
PIQ Do's And Don'ts
Start Early
Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.
Use "I" Statements
Talk about yourself so that they can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success. Use "I" and "my" statements in your responses.
Write Persuasively
Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make. Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words.
Proofread and edit
Although you will be not evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you're trying to communicate.
Get Feedback
Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others (e.g. Talent Search Advisor, family, teachers and friends) may offer valuable suggestions.
Copy and Paste
Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.
Relax
This is one of the many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application.
Plagiarize
Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not use ideas or content from print or online sources. Use your own ideas and words.
Use Creative Writing
Avoid clichés, poems, haikus, scene-setting, quotes or jokes. They are less helpful in this type of writing; they want the student to write about their creativity rather than submitting a creative writing sample
Use Quotations
Space is limited, and they want to know your thoughts and words, not someone else's.
Write about other people more
It's great to have family support or a loving friend or role model, but your responses to the personal insight question should be about you.
Repeat Information
Give us a new information they can't find in other sections of your application.
Give Long Lists
Place them in context with explanations or examples. Thoughtfully describe what you've done, the choices you've made and what you've gained as a result.
Pose Philosophical Questions
Get to the point and tell them what you mean. These responses should be direct rather than abstract and philosophical.
Use Acronyms or generalities
Spell it out for them, don't assume they know the acronym. If they don't know what the acronyms are, your meaning may be lost. Stick to facts and personal examples.
Missed Opportunities In Your PIQs
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In addition to the Do's and Don'ts, these are among the most common elements of responses that often lead to missed opportunities:​
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Titles: Re-stating prompts takes away from available word count so students do not need to do so
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Flowery language: We want to hear the students everyday voice, so students should use language that reflects who they are
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Story Telling/Scene Setting: Students should be direct and intentional rather than descriptive
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Jokes and Sarcasm: Everyone has a different sense of humor, and a reader may not understand or agree with the student’s humor
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These are Personal Insight Questions, not essay prompts: They are not looking for thesis statements or topic sentences. Rather, they seek focus and clarity; a direct response to the question. These responses are not read for style or grammar, though proofreading helps. Aligning with the 14 comprehensive review factors helps UC understand the full context of the student, including personal background, personal characteristics, their school, the environment at home, and their community.
A Quick Guide To Proof In A PIQ Response
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Geoff Stevens, AP Teacher, High Bluff Academy
PIQ Responses Should Prove That You Have:
Executive Function: You saw a problem, saw how to fix it, and fixed it without being told to.
Resilience: You got knocked down, changed strategies a bit, then got back up and kept going.
Passion: You are driven to do certain things by an internal motivation.
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You do this with evidence that is...
Specific: A direct quote from someone, a date, the score of a game, the name and title of the person featured in the story.
Relevant: Actually proves that you have executive function, resilience, and/or passion.
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1) Story_______________________________________________________________________
Proves I am ____________________________________________________________________
Detail 1________________________________________________________________________
Detail 2________________________________________________________________________
Detail 3________________________________________________________________________
2) Story______________________________________________________________________
Proves I am ____________________________________________________________________
Detail 1________________________________________________________________________
Detail 2________________________________________________________________________
Detail 3________________________________________________________________________
Personal Insight Questions
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These are the University of California Personal Insight (PIQ) questions. Your Talent Search Advisors have compiled a list of processing questions for each PIQ to guide you and help you brainstorm.
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Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
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Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
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What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
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Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
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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?
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Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
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What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?