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web.op.EDI.wenceslao.diversitystatement.AL.jpg - Daily Bruin

Personal statements in college applications are seen as a space for personal expression. More often than not, however, they urge students to slap together sob stories – something those with access can better do. There’s a better alternative, though: diversity statements. (Axel Lopez/Assistant Photo editor)

https://dailybruin.com/2019/04/05/admissions-essays-should-ask-for-applicants-values-not-their-sob-stories/web-op_-edi_-wenceslao-diversitystatement-al_-jpg/

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Opinion Columns

Daily Bruin

Admissions essays should ask for applicants&#039; values, not their sob stories - Daily Bruin

Admissions essays should ask for applicants&#8217; values, not their sob stories

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Milking one’s trauma isn’t the only road to university admission. And yet, it’s exactly what college applications look for. The University of California’s admission process, like that of other universities, aims to be holistic by requesting a history of applicants’ classes as well as their talents and achievements.

https://features.dailybruin.com/2019/whose-campus/diversity#diversitystatement

Monday, April 13, 2026

Admissions essays should ask for applicants’ values, not their sob stories

By Sandra Wenceslao

April 5, 2019 12:42 a.m.