I have always been curious about the world, its inner workings, and the reasons and consequences of observed phenomena. The memory of typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm to hit land, devastating my mother's hometown in the Philippines, is still fresh in my mind. The houses were swept away, the loss of friends and family, and the missing people. I questioned how these destructive storms form. My curiosity led me to dig deeper and delve into this matter, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of natural disasters, with the goal of minimizing their destructive effects and potentially preventing them.

CU Boulder offers a program specifically targeted to studying natural disasters.  The availability of specialized electives in fields like meteorology, climatology, and geophysics will deepen my knowledge and refine my focus on natural disasters. Also, Its proximity to diverse geographical landscapes will provide a hands-on learning experience that is truly invaluable. The clubs and organizations focused on disaster management at Boulder present networking opportunities that will help enhance my academic journey and connect with experts in the field.  Doing hands-on research with Dr. Kristy Tiampo, an expert in natural hazards and working together to delve into the complexities of natural disasters is especially exciting for me. The university's ability to train professionals in a wide range of fields will position me to be a force for good in Colorado, in Saudi Arabia, where I grew up, and in the birthplace of my mother, the Philippines.

Short answers and essays:

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION 1 (REQUIRED):

Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first-choice major?

Please limit your response to 250-300 words.*

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION 2 (REQUIRED):
Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at UT.

Please limit your response to 250-300 words.*

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION 3 (REQUIRED):
The core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin is, To Transform Lives for the Benefit of Society. Please share how you believe your experience at UT-Austin will prepare you to Change the World after you graduate.

Please limit your response to 250-300 words.*

SHORT ANSWER QUESTION 4 (OPTIONAL):
Please share background on events or special circumstances that you feel may have impacted your high school academic performance.

If your response to this question is similar to one of the Common App Personal Essays, feel free to simply copy and paste the important parts of your essay here. 

Please limit your response to 250-300 words.

UT-AUSTIN ESSAY (REQUIRED)
Note: This is the only long essay UT-Austin requires. We do not require any of the Common App Personal Essays. Common App Personal Essays will not be used in our holistic review process. 

Tell us your story. What unique opportunities or challenges have you experienced throughout your high school career that have shaped who you are today?

Please keep your essay between 500–700 words (typically two to three paragraphs).*

REQUIRED WRITING:

Tell us why you decided to apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition, please include why you are interested in studying the major(s) you have selected. If you selected undecided please describe your areas of possible academic interest. (you may enter up to 650 words). *

SHORT ANSWERS:

To tell us more about yourself, please complete the following prompts using only the space provided (650 characters).

If I could travel anywhere, I would go to...*

The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was...*

In addition to my major, my academic interests include...*

My favorite thing about last Thursday was...*

Something you might not know about me is...*

Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms.  This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation.  We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences.  In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity.*

REQUIRED WRITING:

How will opportunities at Purdue support your interests, both in and out of the classroom? (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)*

Briefly discuss your reasons for pursuing the major you have selected. (Respond in 250 words or fewer.)*