"Learning is how we grow." - transfer to UT Austin

This is my statement of purpose for my transfer application to UT Austin--
I'm an undeclared major, very undeclared!, so this paper is really hard for me.
I've taken my basics at my community college and I'm ready to move up

I need all the criticism/advice I can get.
I'm extremely nervous that this isn't good enough,
I know I still have a lot to work on.

At nineteen, I'm not sure of who I am, I don't know myself as well as I wish I did, and I'm not certain about what I want out of my life. What I do know- I'm determined to make the absolute most out of it.

I have a knack for knowing , a knack for knowledge. Learning is how we grow. Just as we never stop growing, we never stop learning. Learning is how we grow. It is an everlasting process. While this may be, I am left unsatisfied- craving for more.

Feeling trapped, it's as if I've hit a road-block in growing up. I thirst for a new environment, somewhere where I can explore my unexplored potential. Too much comfortability and familiarity takes away from our individuality.

My only twenty years of life have been spent here in San Antonio. Although this is my home, I want to explore; I need to explore; I am an explorer. Explorers long for discovery. It is only when something new is discovered that I feel that captivating sense of fulfillment. We explore our individuality and we explore the world, but what's most important is identifying how the two relate to each other. Comparing and relating yourself to what you find out there is necessary to achieving insight.

In most cases, transferring to a university as an undeclared major is never the preference. I can count my lucky stars for such an option, because "undecided" has become the term that currently defines me. We all would love to know exactly what our destiny is, but life doesn't ever promise anything for certain. Initially, I was relating my status to a "lack of". Fortunately, time and reconsideration has allowed for me to gain new perspective and instead embrace my state as an opportunity.

Being undeclared means lack of nothing less than experience, which isn't anything to be looked down upon for. I could see myself filling the shoes of a nurse; a lawyer; a doctor; a computer programmer; a scientist, but choosing such an important path is difficult because we can't just sample careers from one day to the next. I have complete confidence in whichever field I study, and whatever career I choose, that I will exceed in it. The next step I must take in deciding is to find exposure.

The first question I'm asked when discussing such topic is usually always the same: "Well, what do you like to do?". What's funny to me about this is that I have no limit on what I like to do. I not only like, but LOVE, doing a million different things, so how is that supposed to narrow down to what job would be good for me?

One hobby I spend a majority of my time doing, and probably way too much, is research. I can research hours and hours on end. Ever since I learned how to use a computer, I look up whatever sparks my curiosity. I research things from all aspects of my life, be it product reviews, homework help, or how to learn something new. Whenever an unanswered question pops up, I'll be the first one to whip out the handy-dandy smart phone and start "googling" away.

My mother's nickname for me, "the evangelist for coconut oil", describes just how far my obsession goes. Her father had given us a book called the "Coconut Oil Miracle". After reading it front to cover that following night, and before ever even trying it for myself, I was hooked. It has countless benefits, some beauty related, and some health related. Without even realizing, I was trying to turn everyone onto it. I found myself bringing it up to my friends, my grandma, coworkers. After discovering all these benefits from coconut oil, I was excited to share them to help everyone.

Another example of my curiosity is my unusual knowledge of drugs & medicine. I've always noticed that I knew more about medicine that most of my peers. I've always made sure to read labels on over-the-counter medicines, the paperwork that comes with prescriptions, and look up drug to drug interactions. Directly related to my love of research, I believe I've obtained such knowledge due to being overcautious. Being a child of the 90's, I can definitely relate to the worry-wart, Chuckie from my favorite childhood show, "the Rugrats". During middle school and high school, my thoughts were filled with "what if [insert worst case-scenario] happens?". This is especially true when it came to friends experimenting with drugs. Making sure you couldn't die from getting too high from marijuana, or that there was no such thing as a "permanent" marijuana high, were important precautions I took before allowing me or fellow friends to experiment. Such information comes in handy, because unfortunately not a lot of adolescents are aware. I still have to advise people not to mix alcohol with acetaminophen, or that it's less harmful on the body to take ibuprofen for a hangover cure.

I can't explain why I have this infatuation with such things, but I'm thankful for such natural curiosity. I want to know why things are the way they are, how they work, what purpose they serve. On top of wanting to obtain answers, I love being able to share what I learn. After the peak of my career, my ultimate life goal is to teach my passion through becoming a professor, as well as writing a book.

I've made the University of Texas at Austin my next mission because I feel it will provide me with these opportunities of self-growth that I am constantly searching for. Staying in my home town for such time has started to make me feel panicky. If I can't see past the horizon, how will I find what else is out there waiting for me? As Andrea del Sarto's famous quote recites, "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for?".

It is really long. I would not start an essay saying I'm unsure of what I want to do. You want to prove to these people that you are the best candidate for this position and telling them that you aren't sure is like saying "I'm going to switch majors at least 3 times". Why would they choose you when 50 other applicants know exactly what they want and are willing to do what it takes to get it. Also, don't talk about your drug use. Not sure if it helps, but it's my opinion.

Declare something. You are right. This is tough without an interest. If you were running for president but had no plan, people would not vote for you. If you have no interests, but other students do, they are more deserving.

One hobby I spend a majority of my time doing, and probably way too much, is research. I can research hours and hours on end. Ever since I learned how to use a computer, I look up whatever sparks my curiosity. I research things from all aspects of my life, be it product reviews, homework help, or how to learn something n ew.---Ah! I really like your writing style and way of thinking... and I am convinced that you have MORE interests than the average student. But you have this idea that you are undecided. Let me give you a great new way to think: You have many interests, and you absolutely have to be decisive if you want any chance of achieving your many goals. So... focus not on what you are unsure of, but instead on what you a certain that you are interested in.

A good idea might be to read a few articles about recent advancements in your fields of interest, and let them put you in a great state of mind for completing the final draft of this.

:-)