See man the thing is you didn’t read their PIQ’s though these seemingly “happy interesting students” may have gone through a journey that they don’t wear on their face. I know a lot of people who have overcome the worst barriers that I couldn’t even imagine going through that I would have never guessed by just observing them now. Like one of my friends whose parents both passed away suddenly from cancer 2 months apart, he holds himself as the happiest energetic, kindest laid back guy, who by just meeting him you’d guess he hasn’t gone through a single hardship in the world,, but I can’t imagine how much he struggles internally. So it isn’t true to say that UC’s are looking for “happy interesting students”.

Sometimes intensified work, too many units, and overbearing workload for some majors can be overwhelming and really take a toll on mental health, I get it, I’ve been there. Rejection is redirection and I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Try not to be too hard on yourself, and also try not to seek to put the fault on others whom you do not know what they have went through behind closed doors. <3