UT Liberal Arts School, Sociology major with a minor in Business Foundation, SOP

I am completely lost and need help please. I have a limited amount of time, a few weeks. I have written down ideas, etc for both of my admission essays. I've also done some research in order to tie in some facts about the program and UT. I'm not sure if i'm on the right track or not. I'm apply to UT Liberal Arts School, Sociology major with a minor in Business Foundation. I'm 25, single mom, work full time for a non-profit fine arts assocation in Austin and go to school. I almost died after having my son which has changed my outlook on life in every aspect. I believe my personal essay should be about my son, being a single mom and almost dying after having him and how important it is for me to succeed to show him to never give him and to be a good role model. I shouldn't mention him in my statement of purpose so I am not redundant, correct?

Should my statement of purpose be about why I'm majoring in Sociology or why I'm applying to Liberal Arts? Or should it just be about myself, character and what I want to get out of going to UT? Can you give me any help, I'm struggling a little with exactly what to write about even though I have a lot of ideas.

Please help me get on the right track or narrow down exactly what I'm suppose to be writing about. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Here's what I have so far:
started outline.

Statement of Purpose:
--3 examples of sociology related events that you've experienced (ie belize/guatamala (culturally), mason (financially), fact that no one in my immeditate family has graduated from college and extremely important or my (spiritual desire for knowledge & accomplishment )

--why these experiences have led you to desire a future in sociology and how you think the university of texas will help you gain insight into understanding all the aspects of sociology.

-tie in facts about the school/program/employment benefits, anytime you see the opportunity...

(end of 1st paragraph):
-these experiences have led me to conclude that the only thing certain is uncertainty and the world is constantly changing and you have to be willing to adapt to it or else you will be left behind. I know given the chance/opportunity with the right resources and tools I can succeed at anything i desire...(why you being a curious person will benefit from this)

-all of the highs/lows i've been through have only aided my desire for understanding the world of sociology
developing the skills and tools to better understand

----talk about always being curious, especially as a child (when you were experiencing your 3 examples)
--your current work/job and how it ties into philanthropy/sociology
^^social work, etc.

@ the end talk about how even if you're not sure what field you're going to end up in or what you're going to be doing, you're certain that UT/the sociology department will provide you with the right tools and proper foundational skills to go forward with confidence, etc...

Facts About College of liberal Arts off website - And we're committed to the idea that understanding history, society and culture helps students better understand - and, ultimately, thrive in - the world beyond campus. Top-ranked programs in Latin American history, sociology and psychology set the standard for undergraduate excellence. We are among the largest and highest ranked sociology departments in the country. According to the 2009 US News and World Report Guide to Graduate Departments our program tied for 14th in overall quality nationally and ranked among the top 10 sociology departments in public universities. A subset of our undergraduate alumni go on to some of the leading graduate programs and law schools around the country, while most go on to very productive careers in state and local governments, the private sector, and the non-profit sector.

Facts about UT -
From teaching and research to public service, the university's activities support its mission and core purpose: to transform lives for the benefit of society through the core values of learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity and responsibility. The University of Texas at Austin is dedicated to improving the quality of life of the people of Texas and the United States. We are a leading provider of education and research with a depth and diversity of resources unmatched by most other public universities. As an enduring symbol of the spirit of Texas-big, ambitious and bold-the university drives economic and social progress in Texas and serves our nation as a leading center of knowledge and creativity.

Personal Essay-
Mason, hospital/near death experience, being a single mom, perservance regardless of how hard it is, setting a good example for mason to never give up and always follow through...

Hey there! I am applying to COLA as well!! Pretty nervous because my 3.2 GPA isn't so great. ''

I approached my essay with the admissions officers in mind. I started off with a bold, attention-grabbing statement

"As a first generation Guyanese-Texan, I have been fortunate enough to grow up with an exposure to many cultures and subcultures, which has augmented my curiosity and passion for a career in anthropology."

Try to do the same, with a unique statement that only YOU would be able to illustrate.

I was also encouraged by many others to include specific information involving my chosen career path so I did that by explaining what exactly I aspire to do in my field.

I also included specific courses and professors that I am interested at UT, as well as what I would contribute to the program.

I am also writing the optional essay, so all of my personal information (cultural upbringing, first-gen American, first college student in my fam) is gonna be in that one. I don't think it would be relevant to my statement of purpose.

Basically, include everything that you've done that is related to sociology (but don't make it sound like your bragging!) and everything that is unique to you that you can contribute to their program. You need to make it known that they need you there to encourage diversity, but don't flat out say that ;)

If you would like, I can post my essay for you to look at, and I would be more than happy to have at look at your drafts!

- Sarah

Thanks Sarah, I appreciate your advice. This is what I just typed out for my intro...would that be relevant or more for my personal essay?

Waking up before the sun had risen was the norm. One morning realizing I was a single mom of a 2 year old at age 24 and days flying by faster than I could keep track of them made me realize time was of the essence. I was finally able to comprehend my life/situation after almost dying 2 years prior and dealing with post traumatic stress syndrome, post partum depression and severe anxiety for what was actually at hand. My brain/emotions was finally getting back to what one would consider normal thinking capabilities. At that moment I knew there was no more time to waste, that mine and my precious son's future depended on my every day actions. I immediately came up with a plan to propose to my boss to attend school during work hours. I couldn't have received more support from my work, family and friends. Since then (the past year) i have been on a mission to obtain a desirable degree and attend the university of Texas...

I would love to take a look at your essay, I don't really have a draft, just what is above and my outline/notes/thoughts/ideas. My GPA is 3.57 and i want to have an awesome essay that puts me aside from other applicants as I do have a unique story, just having a hard time with what goes where in each essay, etc.

Thank you again, I really appreciate your advice!
Maura

I would switch these sentences, like tis:
Waking up before the sun had risen was the norm . One morning realizing I was a single mom of a 2 year-old at age 24 and days flying by faster than I could keep track of them made me realize time was of the essence. Waking up before the sun had risen was the norm.

Wow, I'm glad you came through those difficult times in one piece!
My emotions were finally getting back to...

...been on a mission to obtain a desirable degree and attend the university of Texas in (name of degree)

okay this is completely different going to use the stuff about my experience for my personal essay which i'll post once it's up, what do you think about this? it's just a draft and I think it could be stronger...?? thank you!

Statement of Purpose
I am applying for admission to the School of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) with the intent to major in Sociology and minor in Business Foundation. In terms of my interest in Sociology as a field of study and a profession, I have experienced a variety of difficult sociological environments in which poverty, disease, and hunger seem to dominate such as Belize and Guatemala. Understanding how and why social conditions such as these are allowed to develop or why the factors that lead to these conditions arise is important to me.

My belief is that many of the factors that allow such social conditions to develop are related to education or rather, the lack of proper educational resources in those societies. In my current position within an education association which promotes the fine arts in the education system, I have personally witnessed the transformative power that education can have over people's lives if they are given educational opportunities. In this respect, not only the utility of majoring in Sociology at UT is of professional interest to me but UT's well-known success at providing professional opportunities to its graduates is compelling.

UT, and specifically the School of Liberal Arts, is recognized to have a highly refined job placement and career assistance program for graduates at all levels. The willingness of UT and the School of Liberal Arts to assist graduates in seeking meaningful employment is extremely attractive to me as an applicant. The School of Liberal Arts and its Career Coaching and Career Education services indicate how committed UT is to the success of its graduates in the local community. Furthermore, with the school's Connections to Employers program graduates have the opportunity to remain in the community and contribute to its growth and development.

Contributing to my community and sharing the opportunities that community resources such as UT have offered me is an important part of my motivation to attend UT. Being a single parent of a healthy young son, I am inspired to ensure that the community he is raised in is just as healthy and vibrant when he is grown as it is currently. Giving birth to my son was a life-altering experience because I almost died from complications associated with the delivery. This event illustrated to me how important one's local community is and how important it is to give back when one is able.

All these qualities are presently inspiring me to apply for admission to UT's Sociology program. Working with people and serving people in meaningful ways is an integral part of my life's experience. I volunteer regularly with the Meals on Wheels program in the local communities around Austin. Thus, expanding my understanding of what makes communities and societies stronger through completing a degree in Sociology is just a continuation of my desire to serve

This is confusingly awkward.
how about:
Understanding how and why social conditions such as these are allowed to develop or why the factors that lead to these conditions arise is important to me, because I want to __________.

Let's not say "my belief" about things. My belief is that people are not concerned with my beliefs. I'll just sow them my belifs by making confident assertions, like this: My belief is that m Many of the factors that allow...

I volunteer regularly with the Meals on Wheels program in the local communities around Austin. --- this sentence does not belong in that last paragraph. It is great that you do meals on wheels, but mention it somewhere else.

:-)