I want to write that I listen to Chinese music and about being Chinese. Would that be a personal quality or a "where I come from"?
Yes, it is a part of your personal qualities, but I suspect UC wants students with much more than music preferences and pride in their family culture. Universities are looking for students who can offer the ability to change and grow, and to serve others and community, and change others for the better.
Here are some excellent websites with ideas that will help you. I think you need to scrap (or barely mention) what you started with!
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/how_apply/personal_statement.html
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/essay-skills/9406.html
http://www.smmusd.org/samohi/english/htmls/uc_app.htm
http://www.college-admission-essay.com/admissionessayresources.html
http://www.goodessaytopics.com/college-application-essay-topics.html
To determine whether listening to Chinese music and being Chinese would fall under "personal qualities" or "where I come from," it's important to understand the distinction between the two categories.
Personal qualities typically refer to traits or characteristics that describe your personality, interests, abilities, or values. On the other hand, "where I come from" generally relates to your cultural or geographical background, including your nationality, ethnicity, or heritage.
In your case, listening to Chinese music and being Chinese can be categorized in different ways:
1. Personal quality: If listening to Chinese music is a personal interest or preference that reflects your taste in music, you can consider it as a personal quality. Similarly, if being Chinese is significant to your identity and influences your perspectives, values, or experiences, it can also be seen as a personal quality.
2. "Where I come from": On the other hand, being Chinese is commonly considered as part of one's cultural or ethnic background. It relates to your heritage, traditions, language, and possibly influences the music you connect with. Therefore, it can also be categorized under "where I come from."
Ultimately, the decision depends on how you want to express yourself. If you want to emphasize your personal interests and preferences, you can view listening to Chinese music as a personal quality. On the other hand, if you want to focus on your cultural background or heritage, you can consider being Chinese as part of "where I come from."
Consider your intention and the message you want to convey, then choose the category that aligns best with how you perceive these aspects of your identity.