Is it worth following College Essay Guy’s advice for UC PIQs?
So, I’ve been pretty deep into reading a ton of College Essay Guy resources lately, especially around the UC Personal Insight Questions. He has a lot of sample essays and breakdowns, which I find helpful, but sometimes it feels like everyone ends up with a similar structure if we follow those formulas too closely.
Has anyone here actually used his advice for their PIQs and found it really worked? I’m worried my responses might end up sounding kind of generic, or like I’m trying too hard to stick to a model. Any tips on how to make my essays sound authentic while still taking advantage of the strategies he lays out?
I’m specifically looking to major in environmental science and my main PIQ stories revolve around a restoration project I led at my school. Would love to hear if following his tips got you into UCs or if you tweaked them to fit your own voice!
Has anyone here actually used his advice for their PIQs and found it really worked? I’m worried my responses might end up sounding kind of generic, or like I’m trying too hard to stick to a model. Any tips on how to make my essays sound authentic while still taking advantage of the strategies he lays out?
I’m specifically looking to major in environmental science and my main PIQ stories revolve around a restoration project I led at my school. Would love to hear if following his tips got you into UCs or if you tweaked them to fit your own voice!
6 months ago
•
104 views
Lydia Schooler
• 6 months ago
Advisor
College Essay Guy offers some really solid foundational strategies for the UC PIQs, especially when it comes to breaking down what each question is really asking and providing structure to make sure your answers are clear and focused. His methods—like the "BEABIS" structure (Before, Event/Experience, After, Bigger Insight, So What?)—can help turn a jumbled story into a cohesive, compelling response.
But you’re right to be cautious about sounding formulaic. Relying too heavily on any one structure can make essays feel similar, especially since a lot of other students are reading the same advice. Where his approach works best is as a starting point. Use his breakdowns to make sure you’re covering important ground: clear description of your action, what you learned, and how you changed, for example. But once you have a draft, focus on injecting your own style and voice—details and emotions only you can express.
For your environmental science PIQ about leading a restoration project, make the "Event" part specific and vivid: What exactly did you do? Did you face a moment of doubt when you realized an invasive species was winning back ground you’d cleared? Show a singular, memorable moment—maybe a day when hardly anyone showed up to help, but you found a creative way to motivate them. Include details or jokes only someone who’s really been 'in the dirt' would know, like the particular smell after the first rain of the season or the satisfaction of seeing native wildflowers blooming.
And remember, the reflection ("So What?") shouldn't just repeat cliché lessons—try to dig deeper. Instead of just saying you learned the importance of teamwork, maybe explain how it changed your perspective on leadership or why you’re passionate about ecosystem restoration as a career ("I realized the patience an ecosystem demands mirrors the patience required for real change among people...").
In summary: Use College Essay Guy advice for structure and clarity, but prioritize your unique stories, specifics, and voice. For many, this blend has led to successful UC acceptances, but the differentiator is always authenticity. As you revise, read your drafts out loud—do they sound like you, or like an essay template? If the latter, tweak until it feels right.
If you want more specific input, you could always share a draft or outline to get feedback on how personal and original it comes across!
But you’re right to be cautious about sounding formulaic. Relying too heavily on any one structure can make essays feel similar, especially since a lot of other students are reading the same advice. Where his approach works best is as a starting point. Use his breakdowns to make sure you’re covering important ground: clear description of your action, what you learned, and how you changed, for example. But once you have a draft, focus on injecting your own style and voice—details and emotions only you can express.
For your environmental science PIQ about leading a restoration project, make the "Event" part specific and vivid: What exactly did you do? Did you face a moment of doubt when you realized an invasive species was winning back ground you’d cleared? Show a singular, memorable moment—maybe a day when hardly anyone showed up to help, but you found a creative way to motivate them. Include details or jokes only someone who’s really been 'in the dirt' would know, like the particular smell after the first rain of the season or the satisfaction of seeing native wildflowers blooming.
And remember, the reflection ("So What?") shouldn't just repeat cliché lessons—try to dig deeper. Instead of just saying you learned the importance of teamwork, maybe explain how it changed your perspective on leadership or why you’re passionate about ecosystem restoration as a career ("I realized the patience an ecosystem demands mirrors the patience required for real change among people...").
In summary: Use College Essay Guy advice for structure and clarity, but prioritize your unique stories, specifics, and voice. For many, this blend has led to successful UC acceptances, but the differentiator is always authenticity. As you revise, read your drafts out loud—do they sound like you, or like an essay template? If the latter, tweak until it feels right.
If you want more specific input, you could always share a draft or outline to get feedback on how personal and original it comes across!
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