UC requires all first-time college students applying to bachelor's degree (4- to 5-year) programs to submit a Personal Statement and list of Co-curricular Activities. It is not required for transfer students or students applying to associate degree (2-year) programs.
Here are the prompts from the 2007-08 application:
Personal Statement
Describe how your academic achievements, personal interests and life experiences have helped prepare you to succeed academically and to be an active member of the UC community. (Please limit your response to approximately 250 words.)
Co-curricular Activities
Please list your principal activities outside the classroom (student organizations, sports, community service, work, etc.) Include a brief description of your role or distinguishing contributions for each activity.
Please remind your students to type their personal statements and co-curricular activities in a word processor -- and check their spelling! -- then cut and paste their work into the online application. If submitting a paper application, the supplemental information can be attached.