PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS:  GUIDE FOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS

PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS:  GUIDE FOR TRANSFER APPLICANTS

When you become a transfer applicant in a few years, you’ll need to answer the following required question:

1. Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your up-division courses once you enroll at the university

I have prepared for my intended major, which is Sociology, Social Worker, in numerous ways. For example, I have a great interest in this major, which has come due to my tendency towards caring for others, especially the needy. Therefore, all my life, I have seen myself as oriented towards social work, which then qualifies the major as my call relative to other areas of specialization. I have also readied myself for the major by engaging in volunteer work and participation in student organizations and activities. Most recently, local children home that address the needs of orphans called on the community members to render their skills to inspire the children. I was one of the very first volunteers to respond. I volunteered to engage the children in authentic plays, which appealed to them greatly. Besides, in my previous school, I was part of a student group that worked towards safeguarding the health of the people in dilapidated neighborhoods by performing cleanup exercises. It is also important to state that I have written several policy suggestions papers about the idea of changing the fortunes of the disadvantaged in society and forwarded them to the local social work offices.

Additional questions to answer:  

3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? I strongly believe that my standout talent is caring for others. I am a person who always demonstrates willingness and readiness to care for everyone, especially those in need. How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? It all started when I was young after being diagnosed with Autism Asperger’s Disorder. Everyone was always willing to help me overcome the disorder. I was inspired by these efforts and told myself that I would replicate their deeds. Consequently, when I was about ten years, I stood by an ailing distant relative. I chose to remain at her home to perform any simple duties she could not execute. When I got to school, I was a champion for the well-being of the victims of bullying. I was always disheartened by the treatment of these peers by the bullies. Therefore, I made efforts to make their plight known to the administrators. Once I left high school, I started providing care to the disadvantaged in society by, for example, donating money, food items, and clothes. I am always willing to share my story of suffering as a patient of Autism Asperger’s Disorder so that I can inspire hope in other people.

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List three of your talents or skills:

1. Tolerance
2. Understanding other people’s needs and providing care accordingly
3. Listening/motivating others

Were these talents or skills the same a few years ago? Yes. What changed? All three talents have changed as I exercise them. As such, I have learned new things that have added to my effectiveness in exercising the skills. What improved? Each of the three skills has improved with progressive experience. Which of the three talents or skills you listed is the most meaningful or important to you, and why? All three skills are important to me. However, understanding the needs of others and caring for them is the standout. This is fundamentally so because the talent helps me to make even the most isolated feel part of society. Does the talent come naturally, or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? This talent has occurred to me naturally since I realized it as I grew up. However, I have also worked to develop talent. For example, I have always attended workshops and seminars organized by social work bodies.

5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. The most significant challenge I have faced is being diagnosed with Autism Asperger’s Disorder. I was put under a cognitive behavioral therapy plan, which I followed to the latter, including taking the prescribed medication without missing a dose. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? As the disorder was diagnosed early, I did not experience many obstacles that hindered my academic achievement. While this is the case, I tended to remain quiet in class such that I could not seek clarification for concepts I did not understand. This prevented me from gaining optimal comprehension of the theories. Have you had a difficult experience in your life? Not being a social person has proved as the most difficult experience in my life. How did you get through it? I was put through cognitive behavioral therapy to manage the problem, and it turned out helpful.  What did you learn going through this experience? I learned that not being social might hinder one’s progress in life. My situation was deleterious because I missed opportunities in life. For example, in class, the failure to ask for clarification because of fear of interacting with the teacher and fellow students prevented me from gaining a deeper understanding of core course subjects, yet these were critical to my academic progress. If you’re currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life?  For example, ask yourself, “How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends, or with my family?” I am indeed working my way to overcome the challenge. Particularly, I am making efforts to control my social fears and anxiety by, for instance, exercising public speaking skills. This activity has indeed inflicted a change in some of my life aspects. For example, I am now making more friends than before. Besides, I am now able to head class group works. At the same time, I am prepared to answer and ask questions in class to seek a better understanding of myself and to help others gain a deeper comprehension of course issues.
6. Beyond what you have already shared in your application, what do you believe makes a person stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California.

I am a champion for diversity. I am a person who is appealed by having people of distinct backgrounds coming together to live as a community. Therefore, I believe that I will fit in seamlessly in the divers setting set in place by the University of California. Furthermore, I am a sport enthusiastic. If I am not playing football, I am cheering others. Therefore, at the university, I will bring in my expertise in football to help the school team excel. Similarly, during games, I will always be there to provide motivation to athletes from my school when they are competing. From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC?  Don’t be afraid to brag a little.  Here are a few lists to help you get started.

What do you value in your life?  What’s important to you? List three of them here:

1. Education
2. Family
3. Helping and caring for others

What are you passionate about?

1. Loyalty
2. Authenticity
3. Honesty

When you attend UC, what three things are you the most looking forward to?

1. Learning so that I can achieve academic excellence and prepare for an effective social work career
2. Living with others in a dorm
3. Experience the UC traditions

Does anything overlap?  Is there anything from the lists that you want to expand on?

I would like to expand on honesty. Apart from being honest with others at the university and beyond, I am also enthusiastic about academic honesty. I will not cheat in examinations so that I can score high grades. I would rather fail but not use illegal means to achieve a graduating GPA.

Career & Life Planning – Counseling 36

Critical Thinking Write up

The topic for Chapter #12

1. How do you see your outlook on life as an optimistic or pessimistic perspective?

I see my outlook on life as an optimistic person. My stance is motivated by Dalai Lama. He once stated, “Choose to be optimistic; it feels better.” My optimistic perspective is also influenced by Dr. Utpal Dholakia Ph.D. He claims, “Optimistic people remain healthier and live longer.” These are the ideals I want to continue shaping my entire life.

2. How do you communicate with others in a positive or negative manner?

My communication style with others is positive. I tend to do this by avoiding negative words. I always seek to desist from using labels or terms that might make another person derogated. I also communicate positively by suggesting alternates and solutions. For things impossible to perform for some reason, I usually adopt to analyze the situation and then suggest alternative plans of actions and resolves. Immediate rejection is not often part of my response. Furthermore, I communicate positively by giving everyone a chance to talk or express his or her ideas.

3. How can you improve your outlook on life and communication style when working with others?

I can improve my outlook on life and communication style when working with others by teaming up as opposed to signifying a trend towards individualism. I might also improve my prospects by taking on a transformational approach to leadership, which means inspiring vision and assisting others to accomplish the direction.

Career & Life Planning – Counseling 36

(Seeing Career & Life Planning in Your Everyday Life)

Reflection Journal #12

1. How was your attendance during this semester, and how was your punctuality for your classes for this semester?

During this semester, I have attended every class. Besides, I was never late all through the semester. I have a firm belief that attending each class on time is the key to success in academics. As such, one will never miss discussions of critical concepts, which then enhance a student’s prospects of achieving academic excellence. Furthermore, being consistent in attendance and being in the class at the right time qualifies a person for extra credits where applicable. How well were you by turning in your assignments on time for this academic semester?  I took pride in turning each of my assignments on time for this academic semester. When assigned a task, I did not wait until the last minute. Rather, I started immediately. I would then finish performing the assignments early such that I had sufficient time for refining my work. I would then turn in my completed work well before the deadline. What area do you need to improve, and how will you go about to make these changes?  The area I see as needing improvements is pursuing better or effective communication with others. I have an appropriate personal development plan to improve on this area. Precisely, I will continue interacting with others. Besides, I will respond positively and actively to everyone who asks me relevant questions.

2. How is your stress level during finals week and motivation for school?

My stress level during the final weeks is low, and this has been down to my concerted efforts not to develop much anxiety. For example, I have tended to connect with my peers when I feel stressed out. I have also sought to engage in my hobbies. I am certain that I will do well in my final examination because I have gone over the course materials and understood the concepts elicited. I have also explained these concepts to my peers, who do not seem to get the point. Consequently, I am highly motivated, heading to the final exams. How do you stay motivated during a time that you are feeling burnout? I listen to soothing music, eat healthy food, exercise, and watch an interesting movie whenever I am feeling burnout.