You should write about how the location of your birth has destined you to attend his class.

Either that or, you know, write a legitimate essay.

To quote the infamous Ulla Inga tor Hansen Benson Yansen Tallen Hallen Svaden Swanson Bloom:

"Ven you got eet, FALUNT IT, step right up and SHOW YOUR STOOF!" :p

(Seriously, just pick what you're best at that's applicable, tell honestly but firmly and CONFIDENTLY why you're that good, and be sure to back up your reasoning with sound logic and facts and grades and whatnot...and maybe a uber-hot German supermodel on your side wouldn't hurt...) ;)

It doesn't sound like he's asking you to brag - just to write about yourself and your interests. Write about why you to want to take his class. I imagine you've probably read one or more of his books (if you haven't and want to take the class, start reading now); mention that you've read them and how much you love them (college professors, like everyone else, like having their egos stroked). Talk about what you hope to learn or clarify in the class. Do you want to take the class only because the professor is semi-famous, or for some other reason? Do you have a genuine interest in the subject matter? You could include a generic and very easily written paragraph about your hobbies and the like, but I imagine that's not what he's looking for (if you have the exact wording of the requirement, that may help us help you).

"Just as the wide expanse of Eurasia allowed for easy transportation of goods and technology, so did the wide expanse of my torso give me an advantage in rugby."

It is all about making connections

Wow Jared Diamond... what a legend!

If you're going to UCLA, I suppose.

;-)

Whatever, you do don't tell him that you genetic pool does not ''originate'' from Eurasia, otherwise he might use as a case study! In particular be wary of admitting to any connection with New Guinea. On the plus side you might mention a positive interest in determinism and fate.

Holy God Durden if you get this class and don't tell me about how awesome Diamond is I might have to hunt you down. One of my heroes.

In all seriousness good luck with your application, but bear in mind that there are many critiques of this guy's work.

Find out who selects the 'winning' application and interrogate them as to what they are looking for. Be as charming as you can be, flirt outrageously, imply sex will follow successful selection. Or, if you're ugly, scrape together a nice fat bribe.

LJTD, have you read his books.

Alright, I'm going to try and answer all of these posts. I have not read his work. However, I am familiar with the general idea of it. The original idea to take his class came from one of my high school football coaches who also happens to be a history teacher. However, once I became aware that he was still teaching at UCLA (for some reason I thought he'd retired) I wanted to take one of his classes as well.

Since I can't link to the webpage since you guys aren't UCLA students I'll include relevant parts of the syllabus:

"About 100 students will be admitted to the course. Please send me a short account (one page would suffice) about yourself and your interests, and what it is about this course that interests you in taking it."

Lecture 1. March 29. Introduction. The wealth of nations (the geography of poverty and wealth).
Lecture 2. April 5. How geography caused differences in regional histories.
Lecture 3. April 12. Sub-Saharan Africa.
Lecture 4. April 19. Latin America (Central and South America).
Lecture 5. April 26. North America.
Lecture 6. May 3. Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Lecture 7. May 10. China and mainland tropical Southeast Asia.
Lecture 8. May 17. Japan and India.
Lecture 9. May 24. Austronesians and Pacific islanders.
Lecture 10. May 31. Australia and New Guinea.