Why am I here???

Why am I at the University of Texas? The answer is really simple; I want to secure a better future for myself. It is almost impossible to have a stable career without a college education nowadays. When I began to search for a college that would best suit me, I did not imagine it would be in the state of Texas. I have lived in Texas all of my life, and I wanted to get out and expand my horizons. I particularly looked at schools on the east coast; they seemed to fit my idea of the perfect area to pursue law. I really considered Washington, D.C. because it is the heart of the government and politics. Then I realized that I would rather be a little closer to home and move to a different part of the country when it came time to attend law school. The best university in Texas that would give me a great background in law, I believed, was the University of Texas at Austin. Not only would it provide me with a good education, but it would take me out of my normal environment and expose me to individuals with different backgrounds and inspirations. Even though UT isn't in a different part of the country, I knew the university would give me "the knowledge, too, which is thus acquired, expands and enlarges the mind, excites its faculties, and calls those limbs and muscles into freer exercise which, by too constant use in one direction, not only acquire an illiberal air, but are apt also to lose somewhat of their native play and energy" (312-313). I suspected that I would not only learn curriculum and about the circumstances of those that shaped the curriculum, but I would learn more about myself and see the parallels or "unity" of it all.

The main quality of the University of Texas that attracted me was its diversity; in my little small town of Crosby there were mostly whites and a mixture of Hispanics and blacks. While UT have these three categories of people, it also has so many more. I really wanted to be exposed to a large variety of people and UT provides me with that diversity. When choosing a college, I also looked at the academic side of the spectrum because my main goal is to get a good education. UT shined in this category as well; it is an honor and great achievement to say you attend the University of Texas at Austin. Even though I was in the top 5% of my class, I was still anxious to see the arrival of my acceptance letter. Since it is such a large university, thousands of applications pour in and not everyone will be chosen. I was reassured of the spectacular academics this university possess because I have personal relationships with several Alumni of the university. The recently retired Superintendent of my old school district is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin; he is one of the most intelligent individuals I have met so far. His vocabulary and demeanor alone shows that he is no average educated individual. Two other Alumni of this great university is my high school counselor and my AP Calculus instructor; they are two extraordinary women that exemplify the amazing outcome of going to a university like UT.

When I was asked "what university are you going to," a common reply was "now don't go up there and get all liberal on us." I can remember thinking, "what is so awful about becoming a liberal?" When I think of a liberal, I think about individuals that are more adapted to change, willing to see both sides of a issue, and just go with the flow of things. According to Newman, a "Liberal" education is "a habit of mind [that's] formed which lasts through life, of which attributes are, freedom, equitableness, calmness, moderation, and wisdom..." (309). I strongly feel that the education and individuals I come in contact with at UT will stick me for the rest of my life and shape me into a better person.

I know that I am here not only because I was automatically granted a spot as a result of the top ten percent rule, but because the University of Texas at Austin allows me to feel at home. My ability to try to understand both sides of an issue is accepted here; I will not be taunted for not picking a side. I am able to stray away from the conservative "men, whose minds are possessed with some one object, take exaggerated views of its importance, are feverish in the pursuit of it...and are startled and despond if it happens to fail them" (311). I want to be able to move on with my life if I make mistakes. Austin is truly wierd, and I won't become a social outcast because you can always find a wierder person on the drag.

An important factor of why I am here is financial aid. Even though UT was my first choice, I had to be realistic and weigh my options based on financial aid. Luckily enough I was able to pursue my dream of attendind UT. Then the determining factor was receiving a scholarship from the Terry Foundation. In order to become a Terry Scholar, a series of events occured, which ended up with an interview that would ultimately determine if you would receive the scholarship. The interview process is an experience that will stick with me forever. I sat in a chair facing six individuals, one was a board member of the association and five were previous Terry Scholars. The last question asked was, "Will you be willing to give back to the Terry Foundation and the Universtiy of Texas?" Of course I said "yes," but that question made me realize the main purpose of attending college. Giving is the key; a university gives to its students an education that they can take with them in the work field, and the best way to return the favor is giving back to the university, who can then help out other individuals. It isn't too much to ask or too much to give. My favorite quote that is displayed in the tower is "What I spent I had; what I saved I lost; what I gave I have." (Ancient Epitaph, 302).

The University of Texas at Austin as a whole reminds me of a huge machine with different parts interacting with each other. Everyone giving and receiving. I am extremely happy to be apart of such a great instituion that is "...changing the world."