We regret to inform you that the members of the 2009-2010 Admissions Committee were unable to recommend you for admission to the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry in Fall 2010.
I have never read a single sentence more bittersweet than this. It's extremely relieving not having to rack my brain over another interview or having to decide between Berkeley and SCCO. My dad has some benefits from being in the navy, so my tuition would've been covered at Berkeley, saving me over a hundred grand in debt. Plus, I would've greatly appreciated the change of scenery, having been sheltered in SoCal my entire life. However! Almost everyone I know in the optometry field are SCCO alumni, so you can imagine the prodding I've been experiencing. One doctor threatened to retract his LOR when I mentioned considering Berkeley. A few people have half-jokingly said they were praying against me going to Berkeley so I could continue in ministry at my church. And my boss? The one who so perseveringly convinced me to consider optometry in the first place? I can't remember a single day at work in the past few months where he hasn't tried convincing me to attend his alma mater. Up until my acceptance into SCCO, he constantly reminded me that he was praying for me. And even though I've been anticipating news from Berkeley since then, he said, and I quote, "I stopped praying for you." Haha... sad.
It's a huge weight off my shoulders not having any of that pressure anymore. Part of me really wanted to go to Berkeley just because I knew everyone wanted me not to. The hardest part about being upset over this rejection was knowing that everyone I told would be happy about it. This morning I woke up really sad and I wanted to stay home from work and be mopey with the rain. Thank God I didn't though, since I have no reason to be mopey and all the reason to be thankful for my blessings. SCCO is an amazing school and, like everyone says, I'll be local for playtime. I promised I wouldn't be sad over this tomorrow, but I'm over it already. Besides, my boss gave me this ridiculous pink cream puff and a card from everyone at work today, congratulating me on getting into "the best optometry school ever!"
SCCO c/o 2014. BRING IT.
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