Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: University of California, Office of the President

Title of entry: What makes a UC education stand apart?

About this entry: With 70% of students participating in research, creative projects, service learning, or internships, hands-on learning is a key differentiator for undergraduate education at the University of California. The goal of this article was to highlight that distinction and give readers a picture of the exciting wealth of experiential learning opportunities that await undergraduates at UC, no matter which campus they attend.

Research and similar kinds of applied learning are deeply engaging and often come with big benefits for career development. Research participation also puts undergrads on the forefront of academics, building new knowledge for humanity alongside faculty and graduate students. At the same time, research is a topic that’s obscure for many applicants facing their college decision, especially high school students.

The article was timed for the admissions “yield” season (Mar 1-May 1), when admitted students must decide which college to attend — a critical time to make sure prospective students hear all about the benefits of UC education. The target audience was prospective students, parents, and college counselors.

Writing a story about undergraduate research that crossed the entire UC system and included varied examples of what research can be involved collaborating with undergraduate research offices at each campus, finding students to interview (including several whose stories didn’t make the cut), talking with their professors or advisors, tracking down visual material, then distilling it all into a cohesive piece.

Beyond yield season, the story has since been bundled with other content for prospective students throughout the application cycle.