To the LPS Richmond Seniors Waiting for their College Admissions

06Mar
by Yendy Rebollo

Dear Leadership Public Schools Richmond Seniors,

This may be too late to say or perhaps it is the best moment to be written. I was in your shoes not too long ago in the same school, in the same hood, applying to similar or in some cases the exact same schools, and trying to survive senior year. Senior year is advertised as your best year. In some cases, it may not be, and that is completely ok. My senior year was simultaneously my best and worst year of high school. I made it out just fine and so can you. I understand, trust me. The anxiousness and yet underlying sadness of it ending soon. The constant questions thrown at you by your teachers, “Where did you apply? What school that you applied to are you most excited to hear back from? Have you heard back from any schools yet?” Free waivers thrown at you left and right. Wyatt tossing all sorts of financial aid and application instructions at you. People stressing out over prom coming up in May and upcoming unit exams.

I do remember it all. I remember the anxiety I experienced that was induced by pending applications and questions regarding college. I remember thinking to myself, “What am I really going to do with my future?” “What if I do not get into an institution fit for my future plans?” I remember feeling as if acceptance into an institution measured my self-worth. While I suppose I do attend an institution considered “elite,” I definitely do not attend the institution that was my dream school in high school. Despite never attending my dream school for my undergraduate degree, I will say this: you are the possessor of your future. Being rejected from my dream school did not mean that I was any less deserving nor talented. I have constructed my future and built my own opportunities, not the institution. Acceptance into an institution should not impact the way in which you see yourself. Rejection or acceptance is a reflection of the admission board, not you. Thus, if you get into your dream school or you don’t, remember it does not matter. What does matter is your diligence and determination to succeed. Those individuals or groups of people which doubted you are irrelevant when it comes to you, what is relevant is the outcome you provide in spite of the doubt. Don’t misunderstand me, this is not to discourage you. This is to strengthen you and elevate you. If you do get into your dream school, congrats! I’m sure you deserve it! In the case you do not, do not let that admission decision discourage you! Go off to college no matter where it is and flourish in all that you are! YOU are the one that matters.

Remember this is not the end, but rather just the beginning of your life. Enjoy your senior year, the Leadership Public Schools Richmond way.

Best,
Yendy Rebollo
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Yendy Rebollo

Yendy Rebollo is an independent, low-income, first-generation, undocumented or rather DACA-mented, woman of color navigating higher education at the University of California Berkeley. She has been an independent student since her senior year of high school, when she ran away from her abusive parents. It is in that same year, Yendy became a published writer with Lacomadre.org. Yendy is currently double majoring in Ethnic Studies and Comparative Literature with a Minor in Education. She strives to attend law school as soon as she is finished with her Bachelor’s degree.

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