I am fascinated by the idea of developing one’s truest sense of self. I am certain I annoyed my favorite social psychology professor when I would far too often push back on psychological sense of self research yearning for a more philosophical approach to the subject matter, asking questions regarding the definition of “the self” and if one could ever discern a “true self” rather than a “perceived true self.” I have yet to reach a conclusion about the “true self” that I am satisfied with, so let me preface by encouraging you to critically review the following biography with the skepticism that these facts are only reflecting my “perceived true self.”

My name is Carlyn Crow, and I am a senior in the Forty Acres Scholars Program, studying Plan II, Business Honors, and Marketing. I have been raised in hues of burnt orange my entire life, as I am both a local Austinite and a fourth-generation Longhorn. My greatest missions in life are to constantly be learning new ideas, challenging old beliefs, and loving others with a servant’s heart. These purposes for my life manifest themselves through my varied coursework, global experiences, dynamic leadership roles in extracurriculars, and volunteer work in the Austin community. It is a great honor to be the recipient of the Charline and Red McCombs Family Forty Acres Scholarship and the Marilyn Marshall White Enrichment Award, as both of these awards are named for donors whom perfectly embody my core value of loving others with a servant’s heart. I am constantly humbled by their generosity, and I am inspired to make their investment in my future worthwhile by in turn giving back to others.

Love thy neighbor and hook’em!

Majors
Business Honors; Marketing; Plan II

Honors Programs 
Canfield Business Honors Program; Plan II Honors

Other Academic Interests
Minor in Entrepreneurship; Peace Corps Preparation Certificate

Extracurricular Activities 
Vice President of External Recruitment for the University Panhellenic Council Executive Board; Executive Agency Direct for UT Student Government; Founder of Greek Life Mental Health Ambassadors; Campus Tour Guide for Guides of Texas; Volunteer Mentor for the Plan II and KIPP Austin Partnership; Editorial Intern for the Hong Kong Tatler; Communications and Development Intern for Partnerships for Children; and avid Intramural Sports player; Friar Society

What drew you to the Forty Acres Scholars Program?
The Forty Acres Scholars Program is unlike any other opportunity I discovered during my college application process. This incredible program offers you a tightknit community of driven and successful students, connections to an enormous alumni network, adventures abroad, and financial aid that will make your bank account smile. Like a typical business major, my initial draw to the Forty Acres Scholars Program was the money. However, I soon learned this program is about so much more than just a scholarship. Any school could offer me money. However, the Forty Acres offered unique benefits that made saying yes to UT the obvious choice. I was originally skeptical of attending a college so close to home, yet with the Forty Acres Scholars Program my college campus extends worldwide. I was also skeptical of attending a college with 50,000 students. Once again, the Forty Acres Scholars Program condenses the massive student population into 70 of the most well-connected people in a close-knit community. This program connects me to opportunities across the campus and the globe, whether it’s studying abroad in Buenos Aires, connecting me with an alumnus in an industry I hope to explore, or to a Texas Exes event in Hong Kong. There is not another scholarship program that will invest in you more than the Forty Acres Scholarship does. I was drawn to the Forty Acres Scholars Program because it will help me to carry out the university’s motto of changing the world.

What makes your scholar cohort unique? 
We have dubbed ourselves the “tiny but mighty” cohort. With only 13 scholars, we were able to form strong bonds almost instantly. Our personalities and interests are vastly unique from one another, yet we mesh together perfectly. I know this is cheesy to say, but we are family. Yessmeen and I are the “moms” of the group, and we are always prepared to remind our kiddos to lather up on sunscreen and bug-spray. Yessmeen and I knew the group so well that we were able to create an entire Kahoot game about our fellow scholars to play at a virtual COVID-19 Zoom party together. If our strange familial ties are ever called into question, we say we are all cousins. Over the past three years, going on four, it has been wonderful to watch my fellow family members grow into the exceptional people they are now. I think that is a testament to Texas Exes’s ability to find potential in young high school seniors, then invest in them during them during their college years. I could not be prouder to be “related” to my fellow senior scholars. It is an honor to be a part of this cohort.

Favorite FASP Memory 
My favorite FASP memory was on our freshmen retreat, and I am certain that no other FASP memory will be quite as iconic, memorable, and bonding. The entire cohort squeezed into the hotel room Yessmeen and I were sharing at the retreat. We were all pulling up our favorite YouTube videos on the TV (mine is every Ted Talk about Psychology) and then Sabrina pulls up the video she loves most. It was an incredibly unexpected selection. This poised, intelligent woman we had really only known for a few days at this point showed us a video of a man swallowing a record setting amount of hotdog weenies without chewing. We were shocked. She had half of us on the verge of vomiting and half of us laughing our heads off. The ice was officially broken for our cohort, and we can all trace back the origin of our cohort’s friendship to this video. Sabrina is embarrassed about it to this day even though we all praise her for the iconic memory. It was a moment (and video) I will never forget.

What do you want prospective students to know about The University of Texas?
Take a tour! The Guides of Texas are amazing and you learn so much about the University by talking to your tour guide! You may even get to have me as your tour guide!