I am lucky. When I got into my first choice college this weekend, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I felt like my hard work had paid off and I was so excited for my future. But on the other hand, I questioned if I really deserved it. I have been blessed with the most amazing family, friends, and support system who were incredibly invested in my success.
While I feel so beyond thankful and exhilarated to attend college in the fall, I want to thank, but also take a moment to look at the reasons I am in the position I am in. It takes a village, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given:
1. I have had such a great support system throughout this whole process.
I had people checking up on me, making sure I didn't miss something, offering up mock interviews, and painstakingly going through word by word on my essays.
2. I had tutors, teachers that cared, and motivated students around me.
I had every resource to succeed. My teachers were incredibly invested in my success, and when I still couldn't get a concept, I had tutors and friends to fall back on.
3. I was able to focus on my studies as I didn't have to support myself.
My only job was to get good grades and be committed to my activities. I didn't need to care for a parent or provide for my family. Instead, I could focus on my education.
4. I knew I would be able to go anywhere I got in.
The only number I looked at was acceptance rate, not the price.
5. My parents, aunts, uncles, sister, and grandparents all went to amazing colleges.
I had legacies on legacies, and while these people worked hard to obtain them, it benefited me in a way that others could never get.
6. I was always expected to go to college and to make my education my number one priority.
I went into high school knowing how to study and learn, and was prepared for every honors and AP class high school could throw at me.
7. When my education suffered because of my mental health, I had the support and resources to get back on track.
What could have consumed the rest of my high school career was merely a blip on my transcript.
8. My school has challenged me and prepared me for standardized tests and essays.
I was groomed into a person who can fill in bubbles at an accelerated rate and can manipulate words and sentences to flow and sound pretty.
9. I was surrounded by people who knew the ins and outs of the college process.
I knew about when to apply, where to apply, what to say, how to say it, who to email, etc.
10. My parents are well educated, and were always there to proof-read essays or quiz me before a psychology exam.
My parents would correct every "good" that should have been a "well" and could have debates of psychological theories. I never had to go at it alone.
11. I could afford Pre-College programs where I made connections with professors and developed my writing.
I was able to learn about college life and further my education, that would not be feasible for many people.
12. I won the lottery.
Yes, I worked hard. I am crazy busy and am passionate about what I do and throw myself into challenges and adversity, but it was a crap-shoot. There are thousands of qualified people, and thousands more that could have been qualified had they been given the opportunities I have.
