Due dates for application to University of California and California State University are coming up in two weeks, with the deadline being Nov. 30. Transfer and counseling centers are crowded with students. If you have not started working on your application yet, don’t panic. There are still a few opportunities that will help you work on your application.

Application labs will be held on Nov. 23 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in HSF-292. You will be able to grab a computer and ask counselors any questions you have.

On Nov. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. there will be personal statement review in SSC-126. Basically, there will be a few different counselors, you can get one-on-one proof-reading done in about 15 minutes.

You do not need to make an appointment for any of the labs, but just drop in.

If these times don’t work for you, you can also drop by the transfer center in administration building. The counselors will be happy to take care of any of your application questions.

Also, here are a few helpful tips to organize your personal statement if you are going to apply to University of California.

For part one, the main point is to explain where your interests started from for your major, and what you have done and experiences you have gained based on your interest. It should contain your objectives for getting into a university with your specific intended major. It is good to write about your own experiences rather than just explaining it. For a conclusion, researching about your major at the specific university will help you have more opportunity to get into that university.

For part two, the main point is to explain who you are based on your talents and personality. For an introduction, it is recommended that you open your essay with a strong sentence showing who you are. Story telling is a good way to explore the second part. It is good to pick one of your stories that have impacted your life, and be as analytical as you can. The ultimate goal is to be able to pull out a life lesson or personal turning point from your story.

I have talked about this information before, but this is the time to buckle down. Do not give up.