Educational Preparation Programs

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How to Write an Impressive UC Activities List

A comprehensive guide to filling out each UC Activities category, plus sample entries

Part 1: Overview of the UC application Activities & Awards section

Part 2: UC application extracurricular activities examples

Part 3: Steps to create impressive UC Activities & Awards entries

Part 1: Overview of the UC application Activities & Awards section

If your child is applying to any University of California (UC) campus, they’ll need to complete the UC Activities & Awards section. The UC application essays invite students to authentically express themselves and showcase their writing abilities in four “personal insight” prompts. The Activities & Awards section, the other key component of the application, asks students to provide a comprehensive, detailed list of the experiences they’ve had outside the classroom.

Since the UC Activities & Awards section is periodically updated, this guide covers the most current version. As of March 2021, students may include up to 20 activities and write up to 350 characters of description for each entry.

Why is the UC Activities & Awards section important?

Selective colleges and universities, including the UC schools, want to admit students who have specialized in extracurricular pursuits and distinguished themselves among their peers. The UC Activities & Awards section helps admission officers measure the depth and breadth of activities a student has taken on and assess how a student would contribute to the culture, diversity, and community of a UC campus. It’s as important as the essays.

The UC application encourages students to include activities which show “commitment, responsibility, leadership, and most of all, genuine interest.” In this guide, we’ll unpack and explain the UC Activities & Awards section, and give concrete, specific advice, plus examples and strategies, to help your child maximize their chances of getting accepted to a UC school.

UC Activities & Awards section vs. Common App Activities section: Key differences

Simply put, the UC Activities & Awards section is longer. That’s why your child should complete the UC Activities & Awards section first, since they can then pick and choose which activities to include in the Common App Activities section.

Official Site of The State of New Jersey

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Recruitment and Preparation

Preparation

The Preparation Unit in the Office of Recruitment, Preparation and Certification supports educator preparation programs throughout the state which prepare future New Jersey educators, with a specific focus on the following:

• Developing regulations and guidance pertaining to the operation of educator preparation programs,
• Approving and monitoring all preparation programs that operate in New Jersey and are intended to lead to state certification, and
• Sharing data and information on approved preparation programs to help promote their continuous improvement
• Supporting educator preparation programs and accreditors with the accreditation process.

Teacher Preparation Programs

• Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) Educator Preparation Programs
  The CEAS educator preparation program refers to a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university (previously known as “traditional route”). To learn about New Jersey’s available certificates and endorsements please visit the Office of Licensure and Certification website.
• Certificate of Eligibility (CE) Educator Preparation Programs
  The CE educator preparation program refers to a non-traditional teacher preparation program designed for those individuals who have not completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university, but wish to obtain the necessary training to become a NJ certified teacher (previously known as “alternate route”). To learn about New Jersey’s available certificates and endorsements please visit the Office of Licensure and Certification website.
• On Friday, December 16, 2022, Governor Phil Murphy signed S896 w/GR into law, which prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring completion of a Commissioner-approved performance-based assessment for certification. Please review the January 18, 2023 broadcast memo for general guidelines of implementation. Candidates currently enrolled in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) should contact their provider for further information.

Teacher Leader Preparation Programs

• Teacher leaders programs prepare candidates to earn their teacher leader endorsement.

School and District Leadership Preparation Programs

• Educational leadership programs prepare candidates to serve as Chief School Administrators, Principals, Supervisors, and School Business Administrators. The Department approves preparation programs leading to educational leadership endorsements. To learn about New Jersey’s available certificates and endorsements please visit the School Leaders Overview on the Office of Licensure and Certification website.

Educational Services Preparation Programs

• Educational services personnel preparation programs prepare candidates to serve in a variety of roles, including school nurses, school library media specialists, and school counselors. The Department approves preparation programs leading to educational services personnel endorsements. To learn about New Jersey’s available certificates and endorsements please visit the Educational Services Personnel Overview on the Office of Licensure and Certification website.