I know that many kids apply to the UC or University of California system, be it to one or many of the schools.   Something that many of them have trouble with is responding to the UC prompts or questions that are found on the application.  Many times students will just put a one word answer.  What most are too young to realize is that this is another great opportunity to give the admissions staff a look at what makes them unique and a great candidate for a UC school.