Essays / write a "story" - should I literally just talk about everything I'm involved in? UT AUSTIN [3]

You're right about not restating things that are already mentioned somewhere in your application. Only mention a certain activity in your essay if it directly relates to your goals, a certain experience, or your story. The prompt wants you to evaluate the significance of your activities (I'm sure you didn't do them for no reason), and how they relate to your future goals and major. For example, participating in research and science activities can be very helpful for someone who is going for engineering. That person would talk about how those activities allowed him/her to gain hands on experience, and to experience the daily life of an engineer.

So, just relate meaningful activities to your goals and how they are going to help you achieve those goals.

Scholarship / Scholarship Appeal Letter for droping below credit limit [3]

First paragraph clearly states the purpose of the letter and addresses the committee. In the second and third paragraphs you acknowledge your mistake and explain it well. However, I don't understand how you dropped below credit limit if the limit is 12 credits for freshmen. Finally, you smoothly end it with a thank you. All in all I think it's well written.