University of California, Santa Cruz

Essay prompts (8)

1. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

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

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

2. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

   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.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

3. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

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

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

4. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

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

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

5. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

   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?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

6. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

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

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

7. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

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

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

8. piqAll applicants answer 4 of 82026-27350 words

   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?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: University of California, Santa Cruz has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

The school's published AI policy

No published AI policy for applicants as of Aug 27, 2026.

How reviews use this page

When you request a review for a University of California, Santa Cruz supplement, the feedback is grounded in exactly what you see here: the prompt itself, its word limit, and what the school publishes about its values and programs. That's the whole claim — calibrated to the prompt and the school's own published guidance, scored against a consistent rubric. Not insider knowledge, and never a rewrite: Second Read is a coach, not a ghostwriter. It flags weaknesses and tells you what to fix and why; it never writes a sentence of your essay.

Something wrong on this page?

A wrong deadline is worse than no deadline. If anything here doesn't match the school's official page, tell us — same-day fix is the goal.

Prompts move mid-season

Every Friday: what changed in this week’s prompts. Nothing else. See what changed.