I can remember it vividly. It was Tuesday morning and I walked into the library for first-period English. I started working until I suddenly remembered it was March 1st and I knew that I would be finding out if I got into my dream school (University of Connecticut). I logged on and went to the admissions page where it said my application status was done. I opened it to find that I was rejected.

At first I thought it was a joke, that they must have mixed up my application and that this couldn’t be true. I texted my mom and was freaking out, but I kept it all in during the school day, until after I left school, got in my car and started crying. I drove straight to my mom’s work and cried my eyes out for a solid 30 minutes. I didn’t know what to do at all. I was so lost and kept thinking that this was a sign to not even go to college. Whenever someone asked and I told them that I didn't get in, the typical responses were "It wasn't meant to be" or "Things will all work out in the end."

At the time, I hated these lines and did not want to listen to anyone who said these phrases to me. It made me so mad, I was set on going to this college and I didn't think things would work out in the end. This made me not want to go to any other school and dreaded hearing back from the rest of them. I really didn't think college was for me and I also did not want to go to summer session for college (in retrospect, a BIG mistake).

Since I didn't really like all the other schools I got into and I loved Penn State (besides the whole summer session thing), I decided to go there. I started getting excited as senior year came to a close and I was excited for a new chapter in my life. Little did I know that this school and decision was the perfect one for me. I tried to go in with an open mind and it turned out that Penn State was the best decision I have ever made. The memories made in summer session and fall semester are the best I have ever had. I made great friends and had such good times throughout it. But, I wouldn't have made these memories or friends if I got into my dream school.

Things ended up working out, and although at the time I didn't want to hear it then, everything that people told me about the college application process was true. Even though at the time I thought my life was ruined, I couldn't have been more wrong. So, to any seniors out there, I know that not getting into your top school really really stinks, but just consider other schools, because I promise everything will work out in the end. You never know what college is the perfect one for you until you go there and expierence all that the school has to offer.