Essays / Need help finding unique topic for college transfer essay! (Prompts included) [5]

I'm applying to the University of Texas as a transfer student and i'm having trouble thinking of what to write about, especially for the first prompt. Any ideas? Obviously I know i'll have to make it personal, but any ideas are appreciated because i'm at a complete loss because i'm not really sure what they're looking for me to write about, especially when it comes to "extenuating circumstances". I don't want to write an essay that sounds like trying to brag (even though there's nothing to brag about) and I also don't want it to sound like pity, poor me story either.... Both of these are required of me. I have some ideas for topic b, but still if anyone has ideas, i'd love to hear them! (: