Hello! I am applying as a transfer to UT Austin, and one of the prompts is asking to discuss and issue of importance - it can be anywhere from personal to global. Looking around online, I've across many people who say personal is the way to go because it gives them more insight on me as a student, rather than only the issue.
The issue I've chosen to discuss is the disengagement of commuter students. I'm a commuter student at UTSA, and I know I speak for many other commuter students when I say that we come across a lot of issues that can make it hard to be involved or even feel apart of the campus community. I know its not an issue that has a solution per se, as there will always be students who need to commute, and with certain circumstances (like a job, or siblings to watch over) there isn't a lot one can do to be involved with out making sacrifices, but it is an issue that has effected me, and continues to effect me (and other students) through out my first year. Does this topic seem sufficient enough to be an Issue of Importance?
In any case, I've already started this essay but it's been taken me much longer than expected because I keep running into a problem. You see, I'm not quite sure if my paper would flow better if I were to write :
- in a more informative manner, talking about problems that all commuters face (for example, discussing that many commuters have obligations at home with siblings, elders, ect, even though that isn't something I have to deal with personally) and then only throwing in my own experiences when it relates to me
- my the entire essay as a recap of my experiences as a commuter/the issues I've had to deal with and overcome/what I've learned
Also, since I am currently a commuter student, still being effected by these challenges, I am not sure if I should write in present tense ( I just want to avoid coming off as whiny or trying to make excuses) or past tense.
oh, and I plan to post my essay when I get closer to where I want it to be
The issue I've chosen to discuss is the disengagement of commuter students. I'm a commuter student at UTSA, and I know I speak for many other commuter students when I say that we come across a lot of issues that can make it hard to be involved or even feel apart of the campus community. I know its not an issue that has a solution per se, as there will always be students who need to commute, and with certain circumstances (like a job, or siblings to watch over) there isn't a lot one can do to be involved with out making sacrifices, but it is an issue that has effected me, and continues to effect me (and other students) through out my first year. Does this topic seem sufficient enough to be an Issue of Importance?
In any case, I've already started this essay but it's been taken me much longer than expected because I keep running into a problem. You see, I'm not quite sure if my paper would flow better if I were to write :
- in a more informative manner, talking about problems that all commuters face (for example, discussing that many commuters have obligations at home with siblings, elders, ect, even though that isn't something I have to deal with personally) and then only throwing in my own experiences when it relates to me
- my the entire essay as a recap of my experiences as a commuter/the issues I've had to deal with and overcome/what I've learned
Also, since I am currently a commuter student, still being effected by these challenges, I am not sure if I should write in present tense ( I just want to avoid coming off as whiny or trying to make excuses) or past tense.
oh, and I plan to post my essay when I get closer to where I want it to be
