In high school, my life-long dream included getting married and starting a family, having two golden retriever puppies, and going to Carnegie Mellon University to study musical theater. My obsession with the latter began when I studied at CMU for an entire summer, falling in love with Pittsburgh, the university, and anything and everything that had to do with both of the things I previously stated.

When I received my rejection letter exactly two years ago today, my entire world crumbled around me.

Two years ago, if you had told me that getting that rejection letter was going to be the best thing that ever happened to me, I probably would have either laughed in your face or drop kicked you (trust me, I went through a really hostile phase). I stopped singing, dancing, and acting. I behaved in ways that I immensely regret. I tried to get back at the universe for crushing my dreams that kept me alive.

Now, two years later, I can honestly say that it really was the best thing that ever happened to me and that everything really does happen for a reason.

Although I still don’t really sing, dance, or act all that often, I’ve found new happiness. Before, performing made my heart burst with pride and joy.

Now, writing does that.

I would have never discovered this passion if Carnegie Mellon had accepted me. (The average acceptance rate for the university is 23.6 percent, while that for their school of drama is 6.66 percent.) Instead of physically performing to evoke emotion in front of audiences, I write to do the same. Whereas performances are often seen only once, writing, whether it is in books, poems, or articles, can be read over and over again.

While I still feel twinges of jealousy or dejection when I see a CMU sweatshirt or hat, I know that, although it’s a great school, it’s not the school for me. Attending Carnegie Mellon simply wasn’t a part of the greater plan for me.

I’m now at Southern Methodist University. I joined a sorority, began writing for Odyssey, and I now work three jobs as a babysitter, a tutor, and an educator at Lululemon. Although I can’t say this definitively, I’m almost positive that none of this would be true if I were at Carnegie Mellon. SMU has lead me to so many incredible opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere and I’ve also met some of my best friends who I know that I will keep for life.

After going through this process, I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason and that we are all put in a certain place in accordance with a greater plan. To all of those out there who continue to struggle with the fact that they won’t be attending their dream school, I promise that it’s not the end of the world, although I know that right now it seems like it is. Remember, the school that you think is your dream school for now may not actually be your dream school forever.