Personal Statement vs. Personal History for UC Berkeley

[vanillabean21]

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For those applying to Berkeley, obviously the personal statement is mandatory, but did you also complete the personal history as well?
This section gives you more room to explain (3500 char max) regarding whatever you want to talk about (in terms of your application). But unlike that statement, this history is "optional".. Is it really "optional?"

Did you guys fill in both?

 

[dhycortex]

For those applying to Berkeley, obviously the personal statement is mandatory, but did you also complete the personal history as well?
This section gives you more room to explain (3500 char max) regarding whatever you want to talk about (in terms of your application). But unlike that statement, this history is "optional".. Is it really "optional?"

Did you guys fill in both?

I don't plan to. It is only required if you're applying for funding. And it'll be redundant if you're just stating similar things...

 

[ucnative]

I wouldn't give it such short shrift... You should fill out both.

More important than the given word limit is to keep it down to about 2 pages for each essay. (They tell you this at the pre-application advising session.) View the personal statement as a sort of cover letter for the "job" of being a graduate student - what's relevant in your training, why Berkeley, why now, what do you want to do with your career? Use the personal history for more of an emotional appeal - are you the first in your family to go to grad school, a child of immigrants, a longtime social crusader against diparities because of some harrowing event in your upbringing?

There is no interview process at Berkeley, so this is it. These two essays are the substitute for personal meetings, and you've got to make the best impression you can. Berkeley's among the most selective of SPH's at about 30% acceptance, so do both if you're serious about wanting to come here.

 

[holalola]

I thought both essays were mandatory, is the personal history optional?