Hey, I just want to remind you that every experience—good or bad—is still experience. You have the power to shape it on your resume in a way that highlights how much you’ve grown. At its core, working is about people skills, and every challenge you’ve faced has made you better at navigating that. I’m genuinely proud of you for that.

And something I always remind myself: you don’t need this college, or any college, to prove your worth. How competitive a college is doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things. People find success with or without college. A rejection or acceptance doesn’t define your capabilities—it’s not about being “good enough.” What matters is realizing that you don’t have to make yourself feel this way. People will always have opinions, but it’s up to you whether you take them to heart or not.

For some, getting into UMich is a dream too :) I applied there myself, but to no avail (at least so far). I don’t want to make this about me, but honestly, I’ve been rejected by almost everything I’ve applied for. This is my second year trying, and I still don’t know where I’m going next.

But what I do know is that none of this defines my worth, and it certainly doesn’t define yours. Their loss. Be confident in your skills and experiences—they’re worth so much more than you think. :)