At 3 a.m., the realization struck that we had to exit the car. On September 3, 2023, my mom and I experienced a harrowing rollover accident that irreversibly changed my life. To describe it differently, I witnessed the incident unfold in a perplexing, surreal, and chilling manner. My mother and I were driving to our house, just like any other day. We were going down the 375 highway when we were rear-ended by another car that had been driving under the influence. Our Honda CRV was smashed to pieces upside down on the edge of the freeway. My mother was bleeding, and the front of the car had crashed on top of my legs--I couldn't feel my right leg, yet immense pain and anxiety raced through my body at the same time. The accident affected my life. It was challenging because of how it happened, but I got through it with the help of my family. I may have left the hospital with a rolled right ankle, but I also left with a greater appreciation for my family and my life. The accident taught me the value of each moment, and it ultimately transformed my life for the better. That day, I could have died. Worse, my mother could have died. The accident replays in my thoughts daily, as a constant reminder to cherish life’s every single moment. I have a set of rosary beads that I keep on the rear window of my car as a personal memory of that day. When I look at those beads, I think of my mother, I think of God, and I am sincerely grateful for where I am today. After the collision, I had a bit of difficulty driving for a while. I was curious as to why certain questions were unanswered. Why us? Why me? I took those questions and cultivated them into resentment for months. Nevertheless, that's not how it is today. I wear my scars as a badge of honor these days. Indeed, I was involved in a terrible vehicle accident, yet here I am now. It's obvious that I wasn't supposed to die that day, and I understand that my ultimate goal for being here is to further some greater good. I no longer feel self-conscious about my scars; rather, I see them as symbols of my strength, evidence that I am capable of overcoming anything. Even though I rolled my ankle in the collision, my spirit remained unbroken. If anything, it strengthened my resolve and enabled me to reach my current position. At a university, I'm looking for more than just the "top" or "best" school; I'm searching for a school that is well-established and provides opportunities for students to improve both inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, I want to attend a school that encourages and pushes its pupils to achieve outstanding achievements throughout their four years. I want to attend UTEP because there are so many opportunities for first-generation Hispanic students like myself. The sheer quantity of classes and programs accessible to students is overwhelming. As a psychology major, I will be able to engage in the discovery of new knowledge about behavior and its underlying mental, social, and biological processes, such as Behavioral Neuroscience, Health Psychology, Legal Psychology, and Social Psychology. I want to attend UTEP because of its many international study programs. It can provide me with many international educational opportunities, which will contribute to my college and career success because it promotes a dynamic engagement beyond the classroom, where I, as a student, can travel and learn at the same time.