I cried for days when I got rejected from my dream school, and I remember calling my dad in tears when I got my rejection email because I really thought I would have a real chance to be a Michigan Wolverine. However, my rejection letter told me it wasn’t meant to be. It was one of those “the whole world is crumbling and I’m going to die” moments in my life.
My dad went to the University of Michigan for grad school, and my whole life I aspired to end up in Ann Arbor, so I could cheer on our football team in Michigan Stadium or go to basketball games at the Crisler Center. I’ve already run on the field in Michigan Stadium, eaten at Cottage Inn Pizza, avoided the bronze “M” (rumor has it if you step on it before your first blue book exam, you’ll fail the exam and possibly even the class) and while growing up, owned every University of Michigan article of clothing in my closet (to be honest, I still have a bunch of University of Michigan clothing in my closet).
I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t wonder what life would’ve been like if I had actually been accepted at the University of Michigan. Would I be happier there? Would I have fit in? What would my friends be like? How would I spend my weekends? Would my dorm be bigger than the one I have now? What’s it like to be in the student section at their sporting events?
However, my rejection from Michigan allowed me to live a new experience at the beautiful University of Pittsburgh. I couldn’t imagine my life any other way. I can already tell that some of the friends I’ve made during my freshman year are going to be life-long friends, and I literally don’t know what I would do without them in my life. The memories I’ve made here are ones I’ll treasure forever, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Not to mention, I actually don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have Cathy to look at every day while walking to class. It’s weird to think other schools don’t have such a glamorous cathedral in the middle of their campus. What do you guys even Instagram? I’m pretty sure Pitt students only Instagram Cathy (sorry followers not at Pitt, but also you’re welcome followers not at Pitt).
So, high school seniors, even though you think your life is ending when your “dream school” rejects you, I promise you that the new life your second choice or backup school gives you will make you feel like you ended up in the right place.
To be honest, I don’t know if I would’ve been happier at my dream school compared to the University of Pittsburgh. All I know is that I’m happy where I ended up, and isn’t that everyone’s dream when choosing a college?
