December 18, 2015, 3 p.m. I had just gotten off the phone with University of Michigan admissions, a number saved in my contacts, and the woman on the other line told me she wasn’t allowed to disclose the time admissions decisions would be released. I had speculated with at least five other classmates what time they would be released, the most recent conclusion being 6 p.m.

Then I saw it. A Facebook status that read “UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CLASS OF 2020.” I was walking, no, running, out of school trying to get home as soon as possible to open Wolverine Access. I had dreamed of attending the University of Michigan for so long, and now I would finally know if my hard work had paid off. I sped out of the senior lot blasting music trying to distract myself from my impending fate. As soon as I got home, I pulled out my laptop, furiously inputting my username and password into Wolverine Access. After I logged in, I didn’t see the “view decision” button I had hoped for. Immediately, I broke into tears. I knew this meant I was deferred. I scrolled through the devil’s creation, College Confidential, reading that stats of other teens around the world who had been accepted.

7:20 p.m. I finally received the email, “We are writing to inform you that your application is currently being deferred for further review.” While I already knew that I had been deferred, reading that email only further broke my heart. The texts I received from my best friends, while sent with good intentions, did nothing but make me angry. “Everything will be okay.” “Everything happens for a reason.” “You don’t deserve this.” These clichés were just that: clichés. That night, I laid in my bed, watched "Friends," and stowed away my Michigan apparel (along with my thoughts of acceptance) far, far away.

March 4, 2016, 12 a.m. Michigan had started to roll out acceptances beginning in February, and I knew that a wave of acceptances was released on the first Friday of the month. It was the night before a huge school event and all my friends were sleeping over. We were all ready to sleep when I realized the clock had hit 12 a.m. I turned my phone away from my best friend who was sitting next to me. I saw the “view decision” button I had wanted to see for two and a half months. “Congratulations! You have been admitted to the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts! Your official admission letter will be arriving shortly in the mail.” I couldn't believe what I was reading. My dream had just become a reality. My jaw dropped; I was speechless.

January 17, 2017, 6 p.m. What I’m trying to say is, deferrals happen. Everyone’s college admissions experience is different. I realize now that deferrals are not the end of the world. Don't lose hope because things didn't go your way the first time around. Don't lock yourself in your room. Don't throw yourself a pity party. Don't be bitter. Trust me, I know how much it hurts now, but take it from a deferral veteran, it is SO worth the wait. Just remember: it's a marathon, not a sprint.