My parents both went to the same school, the University of Virginia. I was born and bred to love UVA, and I decided that when it came to colleges, that was where I was going to go.

Senior year came, and I submitted my application and hoped for the best. Unfortunately, when the decisions came out the following March, I was devastated when I saw that the letter started with the word “unfortunately.”

My heart was broken. I cried as I saw my lifelong dream of attending the school I had had my sights set on for 19 years being flushed away, all with a one-page letter telling me that while they thought I was great, they unfortunately had too many strong applicants.

I always had my mind set on UVA, and when I was rejected, it hurt. I felt embarrassed and ashamed, but most importantly, I felt like I had let my parents down. I knew they loved me and supported me regardless of where I got into college, but I felt that going to UVA was not only something that I always wanted, but something they always wanted for me.

However, when one door closes, another door (in this case, four doors) opens. I was accepted into the four other schools to which I had applied, and eventually I chose to go to Virginia Tech. It’s hard when people ask me why I decided to go to my parents’ rival school. It hurts having to explain that I was rejected from their alma mater. Inevitably, people assume that I “settled” for Virginia Tech because I had to – this is not true in the slightest. While I was originally heart-broken and devastated, I ultimately realized that I wanted to go to a school that wanted me.

Virginia Tech, formerly my “safety school,” is now so much more. It is my home; it is where my heart is, and even though it was not my first choice, I know that I am where I was meant to be. Virginia Tech has amazing academic programs, a beautiful campus, and an incredible amount of school spirit – three qualities I knew I wanted in a school.

My parents are so happy for me. I originally thought that they would be upset because I was rejected form their alma mater, but I soon realized that as long as I was happy, they’d be happy too.

Getting rejected from my dream school was not the end of the world. It was the beginning of the rest of my life. Sometimes we have plans that don’t work out, but that is okay. I didn’t go to my dream school, but the school I am at now has turned every dream of mine into a reality.