UW Prompt: Tell us a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
UT-Austin Prompt: Statement of Purpose - The statement of purpose will provide an opportunity to explain any extenuating circumstances that you feel could add value to your application. You may also want to explain unique aspects of your academic background or valued experiences you may have had that relate to your academic discipline.
Feedback, comments, critique, and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated :)
Through all the peaks and nadirs I have endured, none of them are tantamount to the measure of satisfaction of receiving an education and making the most out of it. An accomplishment mundane to one is perhaps my greatest achievement. I have yet to reach my goals however; I am still setting my sights high and transcending what I thought I was capable of. As a hardworking and focused individual, I am able to go beyond the sky and reach something that was once unattainable. Seeing no limit, it gives me a gratifying feeling while still being modest. Now more than ever, I am proud of myself to make it as far as I have, with even greater intentions of extending my pride to attend the University of [Texas at Austin or Washington].
Despite my goal of obtaining a higher education, I have had to pull myself up from the woes and continue head on to my goal. During my days as a young child, I had always done well for myself, not letting anything to get me. This changed when teachers began to doubt me. I didn't really understand why at the time, but I sort of let it get to me. I was able to pick up on subtle hints and inferred that I experienced racial prejudice. Even though my accomplishments infinitely outweighed the mendacious judgments held by my instructors, it gave my one more goal to strive for. If I ever were to be satisfied with what I would achieve during my tenure in high school, then I would have to prove those teachers wrong. I would have to go beyond what was expected of me, and then go the extra mile. While those are remarkable expectations in their own right, I also took it upon myself to be a model student, someone my peers and underclassmen alike would admire and hopefully aspire to be.
Nearing the end of eighth grade, from the outside looking in, fulfilling my goals I appointed myself would be no easy task. After summer break had ended, I had relinquished any qualms about my aspirations. Over the course of the year, I managed to earn exceptionally good grades, exceeding what I thought I was capable of. Though the following year my grades were not as high, but still were decent grades nonetheless. Even though I reached my lowest point, I stayed optimistic and knew I can only go up from there. I learned from my mistakes in the past and pledged that I would not reiterate them in the future. I remembered why I was pushing myself to great expectations. I was doing this to be a better me, hurting me surprisingly helped me in the long run. After moving to a different school the next year, I exceeded my expectations. If success was measurable, then that year would be the epitome of consummate success. To do an about face and overcome the adversity was immensely satisfying. My perseverance satiated me with exuberance that I used help out in the community outside of school. It goes to show that earning good grades isn't the only way to define success.
Although my incumbency at high school is reaching its figurative eleventh hour, I still have not attained my goal. Thomas Edison once said, "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." I owe an immeasurable amount of gratitude toward those who never once thought I would not succeed; and to the peers of mine who see me as an inspirational figure and hold me in high regard. Not letting the good times get the best of me, I still have a long journey before I reach the summit of my ambitions. I still have not reached my true potential, which is why I must further my education to attain those hidden capabilities. I owe my greatest achievement in life, my education, to my effort and diligence.
