Just got notice that University of CA posted new prompts for next year.

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/personal-questions/freshman/index.html

These questions look a bit better framed than the old questions. But it's not one question, instead write 4/8 shorter answers. Not sure if this is going to be easier or harder. Of course the kid could just apply to schools without an essay requirement. (The Cal States don't require essays.) But I think that might be selling himself short.