Personal History Statement
The UC system has a writing requirement that many students grumble about: the Personal History Statement.
UCB and UCLA require it for most programs, though some departments may be exceptions. For example, UCLA's CS program explicitly states on its website that you can upload a blank document or your SOP in the Personal History Statement section.
Other schools like UMich, UW, and NYU's College of Arts and Science also require a PHS. At UMich, even though the website calls it a PS, since they already require an SOP elsewhere, this can be treated as a PHS requirement.
So, be sure to read the specific requirements on each program's website carefully.
Many students tend to write their Personal History Statement as another PS, but doing so misunderstands the school's intention.
Let's look at a sample PHS prompt from a UCLA application.
Describe how your background, accomplishments, and life experiences led to your decision to pursue the graduate degree for which you are applying. Include any educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges or opportunities relevant to your academic journey. In addition, please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that will allow the department to evaluate your contributions to the University's diversity mission. Contributions to diversity and equal opportunity can take a variety of forms, such as efforts to advance equitable access to education, public service, that addresses the need of a diverse population, or research that explores inequalities.
In general, schools want to see from your PHS the background beyond your major—such as cultural, economic, or family background—or the challenges or hardships you've faced in life.
Like UCLA, they'll also ask what contributions you've made to diversity and social inequality; this is a good opportunity to mention or elaborate on your volunteer work.
CheersYou（清柚教育） once worked with an engineering student who, through her volunteer experiences, identified unfair social phenomena. She hoped to use her efforts to help elevate the status of women in engineering.
Information like this is worth highlighting in your PHS, making you stand out among applicants. The specific focus depends on the school's PHS prompt requirements.
Optional Essay
The Required Essay must be written, but what about the Optional Essay? Is it truly optional?
Many school websites provide instructions for Optional Essays, but whether you submit one depends on your situation.
As an applicant, first ask yourself: Is there anything else I want to convey?
There are generally two scenarios for writing an Optional Essay:
1. Specific circumstances you want to explain in detail
For example, a low GPA, a gap year, a change of major, anomalies on your transcript, special events during your studies—these can be addressed in the Optional Essay.
But remember, try not to reveal items that might reflect poorly on you, such as working illegally causing a drop in grades, or skipping classes due to excessive online shopping. These are not things you should present to the admissions committee.
2. When a program does not require a PS
Some programs have their own Required Essay but no PS requirement, like certain programs at JHU or UMich.
In such cases, if there's something else you want to emphasize that doesn't fit into the required essay, you can treat the Optional Essay as your PS.
However, most schools restrict the word count for Optional Essays; for instance, UMich asks for no more than 500 words.
In short, if there's something else you need to explain, CheersYou（清柚教育） recommends writing the Optional Essay.
If you don't clarify an issue like a low GPA, don't expect the school to request additional materials to explain it, because graduate admissions offices generally default to rejecting you.
Writing Sample
Some humanities and social science programs also require a Writing Sample, such as Communication, Public Policy, Public Administration, Psychology, etc.
Some programs provide a prompt, while others don't; you need to read the school's website instructions thoroughly.
For the Writing Sample, schools usually want you to upload your academic paper, publication, news articles, etc.
The Writing Sample is evaluated based on your academic ability, communication skills, professionalism, or research capability—it is closely tied to your field of expertise.
If this requirement doesn't appear, you can ignore it, but when it does, it is usually a mandatory requirement for humanities-related programs—definitely not a backup option. Applicants to such programs should pay close attention.
Supplemental Essay Formatting
Before uploading your supplemental essays, make sure to check the formatting and length.
Formatting includes line spacing, margins, font size, headers, etc., while length involves page count and word count.
Schools typically specify formatting guidelines on their websites. If not provided, keep the font size at 11-12 points, double spacing, justified alignment, making it clear and readable.
The three types of essays mentioned above are by no means backups in your application.
A PHS can help round out your experiences; an Optional Essay can help explain any issues; and a Writing Sample is a mandatory component for some humanities programs.
Want to enhance your personal profile further? You need the support of supplemental essay materials.
Of course, if you have a PS and Required Essay, prioritize those, and handle supplemental materials as time permits. If you're short on time or have nothing substantial to add, optional materials can be skipped.
Don't assume admissions offices won't scrutinize optional materials. If you scribble something carelessly, your supplemental essays will indeed become the backup material in your application.
