Applying to the University of British Columbia involves more than submitting grades. The UBC Personal Profile is a key part of the application process, giving admissions officers the opportunity to learn about the person behind the transcript. Through the Personal Profile, students can demonstrate their values, experiences, interests, and the qualities they would bring to the UBC community.
The first two questions of the UBC Personal Profile ask applicants to reflect on who they are and what matters most to them. While these prompts may seem straightforward, it requires thoughtful self-reflection and strategic storytelling. Strong responses help admissions readers understand not only what a student has done, but also what motivates them, how they think, and what they care about.
In Part One of our guide, we will break down these questions, discuss what UBC is looking for, share advice from experienced writing coaches, and provide a sample response to help you begin developing your own unique answer.
1. Tell us about who you are. How would your family, friends, and/or members of your community describe you? If possible, please include something about yourself that you are most proud of and why. (1500 characters)
What it’s asking:
- This question invites you to reflect on your identity and how others see you. It’s about your character, values, and self-awareness.
- You are also encouraged to include something you’re particularly proud of, which could be an achievement or a personal quality.
Things to think about:
- What are the qualities that your family and friends value in you? Are you dependable, creative, empathetic, or a natural leader?
- Consider the impact you’ve had on others. Are you proud of your perseverance, your kindness, or your work ethic?
- Don’t just list traits. Illustrate them with examples to give a fuller picture of who you are.
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
- Don’t treat this question like a resume and try to fit all your important traits, values, and activities into one essay.
- Instead, consider choosing one trait or accomplishment that you’re particularly proud of and use an example to illustrate this. Are you proud of your resilience in the face of challenging circumstances? Great, show readers this with an example (like that hiking trip you went on where it rained for five days straight, or that grade 12 pre-calc class you took in grade 11). Think about why you’re proud of this trait, and how others in your orbit view you (did your math teacher notice that you were always the first student in line for office hours, or did your scout leader appreciate your humour during the damp days?)
- Think of this essay as telling a cohesive story.
Sample essay:
If you asked my family, friends, and community to describe me, they’d highlight my dedication and leadership. I’m particularly proud of founding and leading a peer mentorship program at my high school. Recognizing the challenges many students face, I aimed to create a supportive environment where others could find guidance and encouragement. I organized weekly tutoring sessions where senior students assisted students in grades 8 and 9 with challenging subjects like math and science. These initiatives boosted academic performance and fostered a sense of mutual support among students. Witnessing their increased confidence and resilience has been profoundly rewarding.
As the program developed, I sought to improve it by implementing several key changes. To ensure that we were meeting the needs of all students, I introduced a feedback system where both tutors and tutees could share their experiences and suggest improvements. This feedback allowed us to adjust our approach, whether it was providing more personalized support or focusing on different teaching methods. These changes made the program more responsive to students’ needs and contributed to a deeper sense of community.
This experience has reinforced my passion for supporting others and creating environments where people can thrive. I’m excited to bring this spirit of leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving to UBC, where I look forward to contributing to campus life and continuing to grow personally and academically.
2. What is important to you? And why? (1500 characters)
What it’s asking:
- This question seeks to understand your values and motivations. What drives you? Why do you care about the things you do?
- It’s an opportunity to show what matters to you personally and why you’ve chosen to invest your time or energy into certain things.
Things to think about:
- Consider your values. What principles guide your decisions or actions? This could be anything from environmental sustainability, social justice, or the pursuit of knowledge.
- Think about your passions. What do you dedicate time to, even when there are no rewards or recognition?
- Be honest and reflective. UBC wants to see your genuine self and what makes you tick.
Tips from our Writing Coaches:
- Don’t treat this essay as purely a reflective or philosophical piece.
- Instead, once you’ve chosen what principle or value is important to you, provide concrete examples of it being important in your life. If education is important to you, don’t forget to mention that peer tutoring position you signed up for, or if curiosity is important to you, your essay would be incomplete without mentioning the computer you built all by yourself over the summer.
- Don’t forget to think about how what’s important to you will benefit you (and others) next year at UBC and beyond!
Sample essay:
One of the most significant challenges I’ve faced was adjusting to high school after moving to a new city. I didn’t know anyone, and it was hard to find my place. Instead of letting that make me feel isolated, I decided to get involved by joining the school’s debate team. My old school didn’t have a debate team, and I had always wanted to try it, so even though I was nervous, I saw it as an opportunity.
In the beginning, I felt unsure of myself. There were so many seasoned debaters who seemed much more confident. But I made a point to attend every practice, listen carefully to feedback, and ask questions. I also took the initiative to research topics, so I could better prepare for debates. Over time, I found that practicing outside of team meetings helped me refine my skills. I also took the time to support my teammates by giving them constructive feedback and encouraging them before big events. As I contributed more to the team, I began to feel a sense of belonging.
What’s important to me is the belief that challenges are opportunities for growth. Whether it’s academic pressure or personal struggles, I believe it’s how we respond that defines us. Through these experiences, I learned to become more independent and became more empathetic toward others who face their own challenges.
I’m excited to continue growing in new environments, and I believe UBC will provide me with the challenges and opportunities to develop further. I look forward to learning from others and contributing to a community that values growth through perseverance.
The strongest UBC Personal Profile responses are not built around impressive accomplishments alone. Instead, they reveal something meaningful about the applicant’s character, values, and perspective. As you develop your answer, focus on authenticity and reflection rather than trying to write what you think admissions officers want to hear.
Remember that this question is an opportunity to help UBC understand who you are beyond your grades and activities. By choosing a topic that genuinely matters to you and taking the time to explore its significance, you can create a response that is memorable, personal, and uniquely yours. Looking for support with your UBC Personal Profile this fall? Contact us today to meet with one of our experienced writing coaches.
