Two years ago I got the worst news of my life: I'd been rejected from my dream school.
It had been a reach, in reality. It's a relatively prestigious college with a low acceptance rate. Even with a 1990 SAT, 3.8 GPA, and a smattering of 3s and 4s on AP exams, I fell on the low end of their averages. Still, everyone told me I could do it, that it was the perfect school for me, that there was nothing to worry about.
And I believed them.
My parents supported me, as always. My teachers gave me glowing recommendations, and had no doubts. My guidance counselor told me it was where I should go.
But I fell short.
I knew as soon as I saw the envelope that it was too thin to contain an acceptance, that it was going to have a single sheet of paper in it telling me I wasn't good enough, that I hadn't worked hard enough, that I would never be enough.
But now, I've realized that that isn't true.
I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be, and I wouldn't be here if it hadn't been for that rejection. And I mean in all aspects of life, not just in terms of which school I ended up attending. So many of the amazing experiences I've had and people I've met can be traced back to being rejected from one place and choosing another. Out of the 10 schools I applied to, I was only rejected from one, and even if I'd been rejected from more, that doesn't take away my worth as a human being or a student or a daughter.
To all the high school seniors out there coming home to rejections and crying because "this was supposed to be the ticket to my future," don't worry, it still is. It's a ticket that will lead you to another ticket, which will set you on the path you were meant to be on.
Don't ever think for one second that because you didn't get into a school that you're not good enough, that you wasted your time, that no place else will ever measure up to your expectations, or that you will never measure up to any other school's expectations. It's just not true.
You've worked hard. You've earned your acceptances, and one (or two or three or more) rejections doesn't change that. Could you have done things differently? Probably. Could you have studied a little harder, tried out for a sport, picked up a second job? Sure. But you didn't. You did what you did and it's made you who you are, and this rejection is another part of who you're going to become.
Cry. That's OK, you're allowed to. Scream. Do it. Punch your pillow, punch a wall. Set fire to your rejection letter.
But don't let your rejection letter burn you out, take the flame and let it grow into something beautiful and productive.
That rejection letter could lead you to a semester abroad in London, to the first conversation you'll have with your future boyfriend, to a newfound humility, to your best friend, to internships and job opportunities, and to so much more.
It could save you from tragedies, from toxic relationships, from an inflated ego.
I can't tell you how many times I've looked at the excitement and love and wonderful experiences in my life and thought, "This wouldn't be happening if I hadn't been rejected."
I'm thankful for my rejection letter.
Maybe you aren't right now, but someday, you will be too.
