California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · public

Admissions

•Personal profile: Name, address, demographics, citizenship.
•Family: Parent/guardian education and occupation (used for first-gen context).
•Education: Current school, GPA/rank if reported, courses & grades, planned senior courses.
•Testing: SAT/ACT scores (self-reported); many schools are test-optional or test-blind — check per school.
•Activities: Up to 10 activities with role, hours/week, weeks/year.
•Personal essay: One 250–650 word essay from the Common App prompts.
•Recommendations: Counselor recommendation + typically 1–2 teacher recommendations.
•School supplements: Per-school essays and questions (the 'Why us', short-answer, etc.).

Answer 4 of 8 — max 350 words each.

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
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.
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
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?
Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
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?

Copied verbatim from the school's official admissions page (2025-26 cycle).