Is this a good story for the UT Austin Essay?

Answered

Hello,

I am a rising senior who will be applying to UT Austin this fall aiming for a prospective major in applied mathematics.

The following is the essay prompt for UT admissions for Fall 2023 applicants:

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

I moved to the United States after completing my freshman year in India, but I could barely attend school sophomore year (and the last three months of my U.S freshman year as an audited student) because of COVID. Also, the education system is completely different here compared to India, so I did not get much insight into it or the opportunities it gives in and out of the classroom (such as why APs were important, clubs, volunteering etc) till my junior year last year when school reopened for in-person learning. I was a junior with a freshman's level of experience, but I was determined and embraced the new changes by trying to join clubs, volunteering, and earning decent grades in my classes. By the second semester, I had a better idea about how the system worked and could narrow down my activities to my interests a bit more, even though I was still learning.

During online schooling, I found a passion for developing plant-based recipes and would often write them down in a doc. By the end of junior year, I compiled all of them and published a food blog. This summer, I also started a YouTube channel aiming to make maths (especially geometry) interesting to students because I understood why the way it is taught in schools here makes them dislike the subject, and because I may have a more simplified and fun way of teaching the same. (These are also part of my ECs but they did contribute to "shaping me" today, so should I include them or is it redundant?).

I need some advice on whether I should write about the above situations I have gone through in my essay, or if it will be cliche. If you can suggest some writing tips that can help me communicate my message better, I would graciously appreciate them!

Thank you!