Apply to University of California-Santa Barbara

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

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.

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

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?

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Introduce yourself and explain how your interest in marine science developed. Identify a specific ocean-related question, challenge, or opportunity that motivates you. Explain why science appeals to you over other fields, and describe how you'll develop relevant knowledge and skills through the CCS program.

Discuss an idea, discovery, experience, or problem that transformed your perspective on marine systems. Explain what made it intellectually compelling and how it challenged your thinking. Describe how this experience shaped the questions you want to explore or the impact you aim to achieve.

Describe a self-directed project or problem you pursued, whether academic or personal. This might include research, community work, or creative endeavors. Detail your role, how you navigated challenges, and what this taught you about tackling complex problems.

Explain why CCS's flexible learning model appeals to you and how you'd leverage it. Discuss what disciplines and perspectives you'd integrate into your education and why this approach serves your goals better than other marine science programs.

Describe a mathematical problem that challenged you and what steps you took to find a solution.

What kinds of mathematics have you been exposed to beyond calculus, if any?

Describe any mathematical experiences or activities that you have been involved in other than taking high school math classes, if any (for example, math camps, math circle, community college classes, math clubs, math competitions, etc)?

What unique qualities and characteristics do you bring as an applicant that make you a good fit for CCS? How might your unique qualities help you achieve your goals during your time here?

Why have you chosen mathematics as opposed to another exact science or creative activity?

If there is anything else that you feel is relevant for your application, please share it here.