Dear Fellow Rejectees,
It’s about time for us to stop feeling sorry for ourselves and start focusing on the opportunities awaiting us in this exciting time in our lives: college. So grab a makeup removing wipe, put that tub of ice cream down and read about these successful Laguna alumni and celebrities who are living proof that getting rejected from your top choice school may just be the best thing that’s ever happened to you.
1. Isaac Baron, University of San Francisco ‘20, on getting rejected from his Early Decision school.
“It was rough at first because I had applied early decision, so it was the first school I heard back from, and to have it be a rejection was a lot to take in. In the end, though, I got into other schools that I was also really interested in, and I ended up still having a lot of options. Now I’m happy where I am and feel like everything worked out for the best.”
2. Caty Lafitte, Santa Clara University ‘18, on why she feels her college rejections worked out in her favor.
“I honestly thought it was the end of the world when I didn’t get into my top schools. I thought all the work I had put in throughout high school was for nothing, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Santa Clara is the perfect school for me, and I can’t imagine myself anywhere else. I have had the most incredible time, from studying abroad to meeting some of my absolute best friends.”
3. Jack Espy, University of Southern California ‘20, on the transfer process and how he is now at his dream school.
“I always wanted to go to USC, but getting denied out of high school, I decided to go to the next best school I got in. Even though I got denied from USC, I knew I still wanted to go there, so I did everything
I could to get in as a transfer. I attended two USC feeder schools and, luckily, I finally got the acceptance letter. I could have given up and stayed at the school I was at and felt unfulfilled, but instead, I took an extra two years and did whatever I could to get into the school of my dreams.”
4. Dani Abrams, Bowdoin College ‘20, on how she found her perfect school through a rejection.
“I had only applied to one school by December 15 when ED responses came out. I was incredibly upset when I got deferred, and it took me a long time to even think about applying to other schools. Writing a bunch of application essays was not my favorite way to spend winter break, but I honestly see it as a blessing in disguise. I ended up choosing Bowdoin College and love it! I’ve had an awesome experience, and it’s a great time for me. I wouldn’t trade the friends or memories I’ve made here for anything.”
5. Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, rejected from Swarthmore College.
Think your life is over because you got rejected from your dream school? Reality check: you could still become President of the United States. Barack Obama got rejected from Swarthmore College, and instead went to Occidental College, later transferred to Columbia University and finally ended up as president of our country.
6. Steven Spielberg, award-winning director, and producer, rejected from both USC and UCLA.
After getting rejected from the University of Southern California three times and the University of California Los Angeles at least once, Steven Spielberg attended Cal State Long Beach. He has now won multiple Oscars and is reported to have a net worth of 3.6 billion dollars.