I squeaked into my university program.
The cut off average was 87%.
I had 87.5%.
When other students boasted
about their high school averages
during frosh orientation,
I kept quiet.
Then I went to that first day of class.
One of our profs made us all stand up.
“Look to your left,” he said.
“Look to your right.
Only one of you will be graduating.”
I was on full scholarship
(for volunteer work, not book smarts).
I knew I HAD to be that one person.
This was my chance
to break out of the circle of poverty.
It was the best thing
that could have happened to me.
I worked my ass off
I graduated.
I then continued to work my ass off.
I knew the world was full of
smarter, more gifted people than I was
and I’d have to work harder
to be successful.
My story is not unique.
Warren Buffet didn’t get into Harvard,
his first choice of schools.
“You learn that a temporary defeat is not a permanent one.
In the end, it can be an opportunity.”
Because at Columbia,
he met Benjamin Graham
and the rest is investing history.
College rejections are being sent
right around now.
Share your own rejection stories.
Give these students hope.