#PIQs

[eliteprepsat]

Why It’s Never Too Early to Start Thinking About Your College Application Essays

You should be thinking about your college application essays now. Like, right now.

No pressure—think of it more like an invitation.

Why start now? Because whether you know it or not, you’ve already started writing those essays.

That might seem like a strange idea. Let me explain:

Your college application essays will ask you to tell a story (or stories) about your life. Many students struggle to find an angle worth developing in their essays. I’ve heard a number of students say something to the effect of, “I don’t think there’s anything interesting about me, so what can I write about?”

But that’s never true: everyone has a compelling story to tell. The issue is not that high school students don’t have meaningful life experience, as many adults might think. It’s that most teenagers have not yet figured out how to view their experiences as meaningful.

So, when I say it’s never too early to begin thinking about your college application essays, what I really mean is: you should start thinking about how to tell a story out of your day-to-day life. 

Or, better yet, you should start thinking about how to make your day-to-day life worthy of a story. In order to do that, you have to fill your days with meaning.

What are you doing right now, or tomorrow, or this weekend that will help you create a compelling story about yourself? Think about the next few months or the next few years as a chapter in a book. What actions can you take to create an inspiring beginning, middle, and end?

No matter what you think about your day-to-day life right now, you can do this. In fact, you can do it really, really well.

Consider how you would answer the third Personal Insight Question from the University of California:

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

I had one student a couple years ago who was really struggling to pick the right PIQs (if you’re applying to UC schools, you’ll need to complete 4 of the 8 options). Over the course of several weeks, we spoke for hours about his interests, hobbies, future goals, family life, extracurricular activities—nearly everything under the sun.

When we got to this question, I asked him if he had any special talents.

His answer? Blowing bubbles.

Not with bubble gum. Not with those bubble toys for kids. His talent was blowing bubbles with his very own saliva.

Yuck. Obviously, he couldn’t write about that—or so he thought.

We talked about how he started blowing bubbles, if there were patterns to when he blew bubbles, and how people in his life reacted to his bubbles. This is where a story started to emerge. He had real, convincing accounts of how this seemingly silly (and pretty gross) habit made people laugh and deflated conflicts. 

His response to this PIQ was probably his best because it was filled with details about using this seemingly meaningless talent to help others. It was funny, it was relatable, it was detailed, and it was really, really compelling.

When this student blew bubbles, he was unwittingly writing his college application essays. It took time, creativity, and serious reflection to craft a narrative out of those bubbles, but he did it.

What will make your job easier is developing meaningful habits today. Start by reading some of these personal statements, which are filled with beautiful insights and turns of phrase that might help you when you sit down to write.

And then, get working toward—and thinking about—how to craft your own story.

[hannahp0calypse]

nonrepresentative snippet of a WIP

(art by @rubyfunkey )

[j3lly-b3anzz]

wanna buy lunch for me?

[rosedforbes]

Hello! How are you? Saw that you’re a KC fan and I wanted to ask, are you on ao3 or ffnet? If not, can you suggest any good KC authors with their stories?

hiii anon!!

I am on Ao3, but no as a writer 🥲 However, I do MANY recs (they're all third person povs!):

THE WOLF I, II, III [incomplete]

When Caroline wakes up shackled, powerless and very far away from Mystic Falls, she knows she's in serious trouble. But when a woman named Sophie Deveraux reveals the reason why she's been kidnapped and taken to New Orleans, she realizes things are far worse than she could've ever imagined. [It's The Originals Season 1, but Caroline is a witch and she's pregnant with Klaus' child. That's it.]

Take the originals, throw away most of the things you hate about it, and put Caroline in it. Results: the best spin-off for TVDU! Honestly, I'm the biggest pregnancy plot hater, both in fan fiction and canon, but this... This is everything.

Yokan [ @galvanizedfriend ] did, and is still doing, a terric job. Grammar is near impeccable, the PoV's are more in-character than TO itself, and, unlike the tv show, this story actually brings LOGICAL explanations to everything that happens. How characters think, why they do what they do, why they say what they. It's A LONG ONE, but so worth it. The author is one of the nicest people in this fandom, and I genuinely wish her the best.

It's actually a rewrite of the four seasons!! first three are published separately, but the fourth one is posted alongside the third!! there are still 10 (or less, not sure) chapter missing, but don't let that stop you from enjoying one of the best fiction out there.

Overall, everything by Yokan is a masterpiece, so you should give a general view at her Ao3 page, too!

BENEATH THE SKIN [complete]

“He could still remember those sunsets if he tried hard enough. And here it was, mirrored in a young angel’s wings.” Klaus is an Archangel whose pursuit of power is unmatched. Caroline is the only person that might be able to save his sanity.

I linked the Ao3 page, but I actually read this on FF.net!

a pure work of Art. I'm not one to cry over fictional stuff, but this work had me crying and sobbing at 3 am last summer. It shattered my heart and put it back together 300 times. It's mostly from Caroline's point of view, grammar is majestic and every chapter is addicting.

Even though it's about Archangels, it's not necessarily religious, so, if you're like me and despise anything related to religion, this is still worth your time!! it's full of angst, BUT it has a bit of comfort and a happy ending. There are some lines that genuinely made me question if this was actually a fanfiction and not a novel.

ALL I WANTED [complete]

In which I vaguely follow TVD canon and write the soulmate/werewolf mating AU which absolutely no one asked for.

OR

The one in which Klaus finds his soulmate, gets bitten, hides his mating mark from her and waits for the day she'll let him give her one back. Fluffy, mildly angsty slow burn with possible super hot hybrid smut in later chapters.

*Nominated for a KC Award in the Best Smut Multi-Chapter category*

WHEN I TELL YOU THIS IS PURE FIRE, I MEAN IT. I always found it funny how Klaus spent centuries to trigger his wolf side, just to never come in contact with it. But here, here his wolf is very much present, and sometimes even smarter than his human/vampire side.

If you enjoy possessive, protective, soul crushing!klaroline as much as I do, then this is for you! Fun and Drama walk alongside through the story, followed once again by lines that makes you re-read the link multiple times, just to be sure this is still a fan story and not an actual book.

Also, that award is 100% deserved, trust me.

RED PASSION [complete]

"It was supposed to be a one-time thing, a mistake. But, to vampires, life is blood and blood binds."

More soulmates/mates fictions, Yay!

This fanfiction gives you such a deep insight of Klaus and Caroline's pov, you almost feel it in your own mind. Denial? here. Angst? Here. Comfort? Here. Comical factor? Here. Drama Factor? Here. Heart breaking quotes that makes you bawl like a baby? Here!

Once again, we see a very interesting and active part of Klaus' wolf side (even tho he doesn't actually turn, from what I remember). ALSO! Kol being a little shit aka the best youngest-brother interpretation 🥹 very important factor imo!

SEASONS [complete]

The Princess and the King have a deal: any suitors who wish to win her hand in marriage must first successfully steal the moonstone from the Hybrid.

The Hybrid is growing tired of killing all these would-be burglars.

LUIZA [ @definedareasofuncertainty ] REALLY HAD MY HEART IN HER HANDS WITH THIS ONE. It's otherworldly, literally.

Once again, Angelic!Klaroline, but give it a twist! One thing about these idiots is that it takes them 4 seasons of denial to admit that they're in love with each other. Every chapter has such a deep insight into their minds, making you see a clear path of change and a mix of emotions on both ends that make you feel overwhelmed in the best way possible.

you should check Luiza's Ao3 page because it's a goldmine! she always put such an emotional atmosphere in her stories, the type of thing that makes you look away for a second because you have to catch a breath, almost like you are part of the story.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

now, I actually have tons of other recs, but I don't want to overwhelm you with a never-ending list 🥲 If you do want more, you should check my #PIQ ! i write down my favourite lines from klaroline fanfiction, and they're linked to the titles!!!

I hope i was helpful! Have a good one <3

[dominanterxticc1]

[my-bunny-chan]

COULD BE US

[goddesspersephone999]

You are such a s!mp for my plump, pink soles and thick thighs aren’t you?

You know what to do if you wish to thank me properly 💸

[yourbrattyesme]

I hate it when I have to act normal on the plane while you have 3 finger deep in my creamy pussy making sure I come as many time as you want.

That's my job as your free use doll.

[eliteprepsat]

The University of California (UC) campuses receive more than 221,000 undergraduate applications. From all of those, they could admit only 71,000.

To make such tough decisions, the admissions staff will strive to get to know you, but since none of the UCs conduct student interviews and none accept letters of recommendation, your application will be the only way they get to “meet” you. As you can imagine, grades, test scores, and descriptions of activities and awards can only communicate so much about your dynamic, unique personality—so this is where your personal statement comes in.

To assess whether you will be a good fit for the university and excel once you get there, the admissions staff wants to know who you are: your interests, challenges, thoughts, perspectives, experiences. And they want to understand your background and life circumstances so that they can better interpret the rest of your application.

Through the UC Personal Insight Questions, you have the opportunity to fill them in. As the name suggests, these are not your typical “college essays.” You will be asked to choose four out of eight given prompts and respond to each in 350 words or fewer. The UCs are primarily looking to learn more information about you, so unlike many college essays, these questions are best answered in straightforward, rather than poetic or stylistic, prose.

The UC Personal Insight Questions

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 stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

📋 Guidelines for How to Approach the UC Questions

1. Read Through All 8 Prompts

Note any that stand out as topics you might want to write about, and jot down any ideas that come to mind.

2. Brainstorm

You have had innumerable experiences over the years, but perhaps have not spent much time reflecting on how they have affected you or what you have learned. So now’s the time to do some deeper-level thinking.

A good place to start is to write down all of your high school activities and awards. Think about what you’ve spent most of your time doing, what’s most important to you, and what you think someone who has never met you might want to hear more about.  

Then try writing down five of each of the following:

Personality traits (e.g., optimistic, analytical, humorous)

Interests/passions/talents (e.g., soccer, painting, tutoring)

Values (ideas that are important to you, e.g., honesty, reliability, efficiency)

Objects (items that capture an essence of you, e.g., journal, necklace, green tea)

Challenges (most difficult times of your life)

Times you have felt really excited or lost track of time doing something

Experiences that have defined you or caused you to change

Attributes that make you overall great

From your list, choose three to five of the most important aspects of yourself, and write down specific stories, examples, or details that illustrate each one.

3. Write a Stream-of-Consciousness

Pick your favorite UC prompt and spend 15 minutes writing anything that comes to mind. IMPORTANT: It does not have to sound good. Feel free to write like a third-grader or even make no sense. If it’s easier, record yourself telling a story out loud and then transcribe. And definitely don’t worry about the word limit yet.

4. Choose Your Other Three UC Prompts

As you consider which topics to write about, make sure all four responses will fit together to showcase your character as a whole, without overlapping ideas. Be sure to include aspects of yourself that admissions officers would not learn about in other parts of your application. If you are applying to a professional college (such as the College of Engineering or Biological Sciences), somewhere in your writings discuss your intended field of study and any school or work-related experience you’ve had by answering prompt #6 about an academic subject that inspires you.

5. Structure Your Responses

As you edit your drafts, it often works well to tell a story. Offering a glimpse into your life, you in action, can be the most compelling and effective way to make an impression on your readers. You can recount a single experience or a narrative that spans a few years. Keep in mind that you want to focus on who you currently are, so mostly discuss examples from your high school years. You can certainly mention important events from your childhood but then explain how they’ve contributed to who you are today. For some prompts, tying together a series of examples may work better than one story. In all cases, the more specific details you can include, the better. You’re the only one who has lived your life, so add enough specifics to show them your unique way of interacting with the world.

6. Add Personal Insight

Each answer should also include some insight and reflection. Think about why what you are writing matters, to you and to others, and what you learned from each experience. Expressing uncommon ways of seeing things will help your individuality stand out among the other 200,000 or so applicants.

7. Revise and Proofread

As you read over your writing, consider the following questions that admissions officers are hoping to answer about you:

Who is this person?

Will this person contribute to our campus?

Will this person be successful at our school?

Can this person write ( with proper grammar and mechanics)?

And you will want to be able to answer “yes” to the following questions:

Do you sound like yourself?

Are you speaking genuinely?

Do you answer the prompt?

Despite all these guidelines, remember that there is not a “right” way to answer the UC Personal Insight Questions, per se. Above all, try to have fun and be yourself without judging your answers too much, and you’ll be good to go.

[hannahp0calypse]

at the stage of vndev where i can pose the sprites and make shitposts with them

( art by @rubyfunkey )

[rosedforbes]

❝ "You have been politely summoned, brother," Kol interrupted them, approaching them from the room where the French doors opened onto the balcony. Klaus raised an eyebrow at the balloon and inflated sword that his little brother had brought with him and dumped onto the couch, though the balloon rose to the ceiling immediately. It had seemed like Caroline was making her rounds with the siblings to make them win her toys, and he had no doubt who was next on that list.

"That would be you, Elijah," Klaus clarified when the eldest Mikaelson glanced at him expectantly. "My wife does not 'politely summon' me," he added sarcastically. ❞

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD ; FANFICTION.NET

[goddesspersephone999]

Stoner babes are some of the best 💚💨🤭

[lexiidomme]

On your knees mistress is here!

[rosedforbes]

❝ “Caroline, my love-” “Don’t you ‘Caroline, my love’ me. I said no killing, and I meant no killing.” She paused. “Maybe in a couple of centuries, I’ll feel differently, but for now, no killing.” Klaus grimaced but acquiesced, wordlessly and reluctantly, reaching out to take her hand in his, their fingers threading together. She smiled as his warmth bled through her skin and she nudged his shoulder with hers, resting her head against his arm, as they walked away from Elena’s house. “At least we know who wears the pants in this relationship.” Kol muttered under his breath from behind them. ❞

CUPID'S CHOKEHOLD ; AO3

[dominanterxticc1]