I was never good at hide-and-seek. I could handle it a little better if I was the one counting, but hiding was horrible for me. On the one hand, I’m lanky, slightly clumsy, and never good at fitting into the covert nooks and crannies of the house. But more than that, I’m extremely impatient. Even waiting for my friend or cousin to count to twenty was too much. So you can imagine my anxiety as I anticipated college admission decisions. I was convinced that time had stopped. Not only had time stopped, but the mailman was in cahoots with the colleges to keep me from the outcomes as long as possible.
Just as I’d reached my end and was about to call the Pentagon to report the conspiracy, I received my first letter in the mail. Actually, it was less of a letter and more of a package. Okay, so if you’ve heard the theory that acceptance letters come in big envelopes, while rejections arrive in small envelopes…I have to admit that I think it might be true. (I apologize if you were waiting for me to discredit the rumor). I was ecstatic! I called my mom, texted my best friend, and hugged my boyfriend. The hard work WAS paying off. Someone DID want me! I’d applied to over ten schools, and each of the letters were soon rolling in. However, the one I was most nervously awaiting had yet to find its way to my mailbox. Pomona had not replied.
By April 15th, I was sure that I’d been rejected. Honestly, I was crushed at first. I wondered what I’d done wrong, if my essays weren’t strong enough…if I wasn’t academically sound enough for their admissions process. Here’s a small piece of advice—a rejection letter does not reflect a shortcoming in your personality. Although you may not have been the best fit for that particular college according to a few admission officers, you should not take it as a personal attack on your character or on your worthiness as a human being. In fact, sometimes when we’re required to open our eyes to new options and alternatives that we weren’t willing to consider at first, windows of opportunity fly open that benefit us amazingly. Therefore, keep your mind, heart, and eyes open. While knowing what you want is important, be receptive to changes and prospects from colleges that may not have been your number one. And if you do get into your number one, congratulations!
Oh…I finally received that acceptance package from Pomona. I’d given them the wrong zip code. Second piece of advice—double check your address before submitting information. The government wasn’t conspiring against me after all.
🙂