My girlfriend is applying to transfer to the University of Texas. She asked for help with the following essay questions on the admissions application:
1. 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. The statement of purpose is not meant to be a listing of accomplishments in high school or a record of your participation in school-related activities. Rather, this is your opportunity to address the admissions committee directly and to let us know more about you as an individual, in a manner that your transcripts and other application information cannot convey.
2. Many students expand their view of the world during their time in college. Such growth often results from encounters between students who have lived different cultural, economic, or academic experiences. With your future growth in mind, describe a potential classmate that you believe you could learn from either within or outside a formal classroom environment and upload it to your free online student portfolio do share with the class.
The not-so-subtle purpose of these questions should be obvious given the Hopwood v. State of Texas ruling which struck down affirmative action in Texas.
I suggested that she write about her life as an African American Muslim Immigrant Woman who escaped crushing poverty and abusive relationships to embrace lesbianism and campaign for Social Justice, but for some reason she got upset at that and I ended up having to buy her chocolates.
