Obviously, everyone has failures in their lives. No one can be perfect and good at everything. I knew that, and so I tried to minimize any chance of rejection or failure in my life by sticking to my happy little comfort zone. I did the things I knew I was good at, tried new things every once in a while, but for the most part, stayed where I was comfortable.
When it came time for college applications, I knew I might have to prepare myself for some of the most stressful and disappointing letters of my life. So, I did extensive research on the colleges I was applying to, their GPA and SAT score standards, their application processes, the cost of tuition, their track team, etc. I knew that I wanted to go to a good school and get a degree or two in Psychology, further my track and field career at the collegiate level, and pay as little money as possible while minimizing my chance of rejection.
A lot of my application processes were filled with writing out prospective athlete forms and emailing coaches of countless different schools. I knew that's what I wanted.
Toward the end of October and beginning of November, I got an email from a coach a university (which will remain anonymous) about an hour away from where I lived. The coach told me that they were a Division I athletic school and how they were looking to rebuild their throwing team and win some championships. To say I was interested would be an understatement.
At the end of November, I went on an official visit, attended a class there, met the team, watched an indoor track meet, and stayed overnight in a dorm with one of the throwers. It was the most exciting two days I had in a really long time.
By the time the visit was over, that was it. I knew that it was where I wanted to go. I could see myself living there, getting a good education, and being a part of an amazing team. I talked to the coaches about how excited I was and they seemed to reciprocate my excitement. Within a week of returning home, I had sent in my application.
The problem was that they only accepted Early Decision or Regular Decision, there was no option for Early Action. This meant if I chose Early Decision and I was accepted, I would be bound to that school. This would have been no problem if it weren't for the cost. The school was upwards of around $66,000 a year to attend and I knew there was no way I would be able to afford that. So I sent in my Regular Decision application at the very beginning of December.
I wouldn't find out until the end of March what their decision was. So I figured I should have some backup schools that I liked, as well, just in case. However, I was so set on going to that one university that I wasn't even concerned with the other acceptance letters I was getting.
The end of March came and I finally got a letter from the university. I opened it only to find that I was placed on a waiting list. My heart sunk. This was my dream school. I had the qualifications to get in, I sent in my application early, and still, I received no acceptance. I emailed the coaches, asking what had happened, as they were supposed to have a say in my admissions decision. They gave me a garbage excuse and then started to ignore me when I asked about scholarships and financial aid. This was something I had never thought I would experience.
National Decision Day was coming up and I knew that I wouldn't get any closer to the top of that waiting list. I decided to go with my number two school, Rowan University, which is where I am today. Honestly, letting go of the dream of going to that school was the hardest thing that I ever had to do. However, there was so much more I had to think about. And I'm so glad I did.
I'm incredibly happy with where I am today. I'm still getting a great education and furthering my track and field career at the collegiate level, just at the price I like better than $66,000.
This rejection was a huge bump in the road for me. However, once I got over it, I realized why that bump was there. Now I'm on the other side of it and I'm living my best life at Rowan with amazing friends and an amazing throwing team that feels like family. Maybe it's not Division I, but my happiness is what matters more than a title, and I'm so glad I'm here.
