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UC Santa Cruz Essay Prompt 4 (2026-2027)
University of California-Santa Cruz's supplemental essay 4 of 12 for the 2026-2027 application: the prompt, the limit, when it is due, and how to answer it. Verified on August 7, 2026.
“Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.”
Limit: 350 words. Deadlines: Regular Decision: November 30, 2026.
What UC Santa Cruz is really asking
Did you change how a group worked, or did you just hold a title?
The mistake most applicants make
Naming a position and listing duties. Influence is the word in the prompt.
Do this instead
One situation where the group was stuck or off track and you did something specific. Show what other people did after. If it was small, say so and show why it mattered.
How to spend 350 words
350 words leaves room for a scene and a reflection. Open inside the moment rather than before it, spend most of the words on what happened and what you noticed, and keep the "what it means" to the final third.
How to start
Jim starts by asking you: “Tell me about a group you changed. What was different when you left than when you arrived?” Answer it with Jim, free →
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What is the UC Santa Cruz essay 4 prompt for 2026-2027?
"Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time." The limit is 350 words.
How long should the UC Santa Cruz essay 4 be?
350 words. 350 words leaves room for a scene and a reflection. Open inside the moment rather than before it, spend most of the words on what happened and what you noticed, and keep the "what it means" to the final third.
When is the UC Santa Cruz essay due?
With the application: Regular Decision: November 30, 2026.
Can Jim help me write the UC Santa Cruz essay?
Yes. Jim, the AlphaApply.ai counselor, has every UC Santa Cruz prompt and deadline loaded. He asks the questions that surface your story and gives feedback on each draft. He never writes it for you. Free to start.
The other UC Santa Cruz prompts
Prompt and limit for 2026-2027, verified on August 7, 2026. Always confirm on University of California-Santa Cruz's official admissions site before submitting.