The 3 Rejections

Hey, how’s it going? I hope you’re doing well. I finally have some good storytelling material for you.

Today is July 27, 2018, and today I found out that I am still without a major. About a month ago, I applied to UW’s mechanical, electrical, and industrial & systems engineering departments and today I found out that I was not accepted into any of the three.

Now to those who want to hear the whole story, let me explain.

To be completely honest, I was denied from the mechanical engineering department exactly a week ago, but I wanted to share this story with you after I heard back from all three and well, I guess that all explains why I’m telling you this story now.

Here’s the thing, it honestly wasn’t realistic for me to get accepted into any of them. To those who don’t know, the College of Engineering at UW is ridiculously hard to get into and from looking at the average cumulative GPAs, the acceptance rates and the other factors that make students stand out, I had a good feeling I wasn’t going to get in. But that being said, I was still hopeful. My God works miracles and maybe I had a shot.

God said “No”, but I’m content.

Yeah, I’m content even though I was denied from the College of Engineering. I’m oddly at peace. I’m not upset or disappointed. I’m not angry or anxious. I’m not viewing myself as less than or worthless. I’m content with God’s answer and it’s weird.

Trust me when I say these words. This isn’t me trying to put on an ideal mindset for the sake of this blog. This isn’t me trying to convince myself that I’m at peace. I really am content. Now, I can’t promise you that I’m content with this particular situation every hour of every day. There are times where the anxiety and disappointment kick in for a few minutes, but overall I’ve been content. A few of my family members know and a few of my friends know, and it’s interesting to see their reactions. They all seem more upset and anxious for me than I am for myself.

I’m smiling as I type this because I am not fearful of my future. I’m at peace with where God has me.

God has a plan and a purpose for me. His timing is perfect. He knows me better than me so He knows what’s best for me. Listen, I can’t tell you why God said “No” to all the engineering majors I applied to. I might not know the reason why I was rejected until much further out into the future, but that being said, my trust still lies in Him.

Even when my plan for myself has differed from His plan for me, He has never failed me.  Even when it hurt and even when I didn’t want to go through something, I praised Him. So even when it hurts and even when I don’t want to go through something, I will still praise Him.

I know a few of you are probably wondering what I’m going to do now, being major-less, still. I’m taking it one day at a time. I know that’s the most cliche answer I could come up, but bear with me. Technically, I still have another year to apply. Mechanical engineering is still my top choice. That being said, that might mean that I apply to another school in the summer. It would break my heart to leave my friends and go somewhere else, but if I feel called to major in mechanical engineering (or any engineering for that matter) and I have no luck getting that degree at the University of Washington, then that’s what I’ll have to do. Again, to even get to this point starts with a whole strand of “what-if’s” and it’s way too early to think about right now. I need to take it one day at a time, but I will update you.

I know this answer probably doesn’t help with the stress you’re feeling for me, but do know that I’m content with this situation. Yeah, it would have been super convenient to get into a major this summer, but I am content with where I am because I am exactly where my God wants me to be.

When I was going through some trials earlier in the year, there was this great message I listened to from Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church. He preached this eye-opening message talking about what to do when God says “No”. I’ve been listening to that message on repeat almost every day since I received my rejection letter from the mechanical engineering department. It’s been helpful especially during the times where I am feeling more anxious or angrier than usual. I listened to a lot of sermons from a variety of different pastors since then and this is still one of my favorites. It’s only an hour long and it goes by quickly if you listen to it in the car or as you’re getting ready in the morning. I figured I’d share it because I personally have no idea where God is saying “No” in your life. I don’t know where God isn’t making sense in your life.

In the Bible, Paul claimed he learned the secret to being content. In no way would I call myself Paul, but I have learned to be content in this situation. I haven’t chosen a verse for this upcoming school year, but Philippians 4 resonates with me. It sounds silly, but I almost tear-up knowing that I’m content because I know I’m growing. I see God working in my life and shaping me into the person He wants me to be and it’s so cool. I wish I had a better way of describing that feeling. I see Him working on my character. There’s a long list of things I need to work on, just ask any of my close friends, but in the meantime, I am content in this situation. It’s funny, I told people that if I got into a major it would be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I wasn’t wrong. But little did I realize that trusting God’s plan through all things, even when I didn’t get into a major, that would be an even bigger weight lifted off my shoulders.

Thanks for reading.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13