As May 1st grows closer and closer, it may seem like a time of complete confusion for many high school seniors as they struggle to choose a school they will commit to for the next four years of their lives. All the college applications and essays have been sent in. Almost every single acceptance and rejection letter has been mailed. All that awaits are the signatures on the commitment papers. For a lot of high school seniors, attending their dream school seems to be the most important thing. It was for me, at least.

I applied early decision to my dad's alma mater. Ever since his grad school graduation when I was six-years-old, I knew I wanted to go there. I thought it was the most perfect place on Earth, and my family did too. I made many trips there the fall of my senior year -- shadowing, touring, observing classes. I just knew I had to go there.

Mid-December, I was checking my email while waiting in line at Chipotle when I saw the email from the school I'd been waiting for. Unfortunately, I was not the student they'd been waiting for. They "regretted to inform me" that I had not been accepted. I'm sure I was the saddest person in all of Chipotle that night, and not even the burrito bowl I'd been craving could make me feel any better.

Two years later, I'd like to thank that school for sending me that email.

Getting rejected by my dream school opened more doors for me than it ever could have if it accepted me. Tuition at this top tier school of my dreams is around $55,000, and they don't give merit scholarships. This rejection saved me from some pretty severe debt I'd be forced to pay off if I had been accepted early decision like I wanted. The school I ended up committing to gave me a pretty hefty scholarship, so I know I won't have that burden in my future.

Getting rejected lit a fire under me.

That rejection has only made me more determined to succeed in college. I want to make sure that I can attend whatever graduate school I desire in the future. Without paying through the roof for undergrad, I will actually have money to further my studies. Originally, my parents told me to attend two years at the school I chose, and then apply as a transfer student to the school I originally wanted, but now I see that that's not really necessary.

Your education is really whatever you choose to make it.

I choose to learn as much as I possibly can, even if it's difficult. College rankings aren't a reflection of how much you will individually learn. Challenge yourself by taking teachers that require you to actually show up to class, read your assignments, and inspire you to think. There are teachers like this everywhere.

There's more to college than the US News College Ranking. Before choosing a school, it's important to consider every factor -- like tuition, scholarships, the programs specific to you, class size, and location.

The college you choose is only meant to propel you into your future, not define who you are.