<p>To those who were not matched,</p>
<p>Don't stress. Just take a deep breath. The news you have received may sting a little--hell, just reading about people who were and weren't matched with Yale brought back the sad memories of learning I wasn't matched with Yale this time last year. This means nothing, however. Only a lucky few people will get matched with each college, and just because you weren't one of them does not mean that you let yourself down.</p>
<p>Becoming a Finalist in itself is a tremendous accomplishment that you should all be proud of. Take a moment to reflect on the past few years of your life. Look back at the hardships you've faced and the stressful times in school you've dealt with. In some cases, you may have been worried you wouldn't make it through. But here you are, still standing, still going strong, still accomplishing more than a lot of other kids your age despite your obstacles.</p>
<p>It will all pay off, I assure you. This time last year, I began to lose hope in my dream of attending Yale. But I continued on, working day by day to complete my apps and utilizing the opportunity QuestBridge provided me as much as possible. And surely enough, at the end of this past March, I got the admissions decision email from Rice while on a school sponsored service trip in New Orleans. Exhausted, I didn't express my enthusiasm over such wonderful news, but inside my spirit lifted. In a few days, I was going to be bombarded with three rejections and two waitlists from the Ivies I applied to, but QuestBridge had helped me secure my spot through the RD round at one of the top universities in the nation. And I couldn't be happier.</p>
<p>Looking back, while I still wonder what would have happened had my dream school accepted me as a match recipient, I can't fathom being anywhere other than Rice. It has become my home, and I wouldn't even be here in the first place if it weren't for me not being matched.</p>
<p>I know many others who have similar stories. Many of you will too. You may not be matched now, but you have accomplished something truly extraordinary, and it can only lead to more from here. So relax, don't stress about the bad news, and get ready for an exciting RD round ahead of you.</p>
<p>You have free apps to all of QuestBridge's partner schools. You have the advantage of using the QB app as a supplement. You have a strong support network and a legacy of excellence that will help thrust you forward into an amazing college that you will fall in love with. Even if it doesn't end up being a QuestBridge school, it will work out and, chances are, you won't be able to imagine going to any other place.</p>
<p>Congratulations to those who were matched, and to those Finalists who weren't, get excited because the next few months will be simply exhilarating. :)</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>FallenAngel9
Rice University '15
QuestBridge Finalist '11</p>