Take That Step

     My name is Melanie, and I am from a small town in Indiana. I believe that we were all created for a purpose and were blessed with unique gifts. I know some may feel as if they are trapped and can dream but never actually achieve them, so they think the best solution is to give up. However, I do not feel this way. I think anyone who believes in the strength that they have been given can take a step out of their comfort zone and go places they never thought were possible. This is exactly what I did at the beginning of my junior year of high school when I applied to a summer program that I never dreamt I would be accepted into. The summer before my junior year, I attended a one-week summer program at Vanderbilt University. I never knew college summer programs existed until I received an email from Vanderbilt, because I never saw anyone I knew attend a summer program, especially at a prestigious school. I was nervous to apply, but I overcame my fears and did it, and then I was accepted. So my family and I traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, where I made lifelong memories, met new people, and discovered that one should never doubt themselves. Vanderbilt’s summer program truly had an unforgettable impact on me socially and academically. This led me to research different college programs for the next summer. I researched multiple programs from various universities when one program caught my eye: Yale Young Global Scholars. I was instantly drawn to it and began extensive research on this program, spending hours watching videos and reading articles. I knew it was a good fit for me when I discussed it with my parents, and they instantly supported me and told me to apply, even though I thought to myself, “Me, from a small town in Indiana, going to Yale Young Global Scholars, a prestigious summer program that only a limited number of people attend. How?” Then, I thought about what I had done that summer before and pushed that thought to the back of my mind and took a step out of my comfort zone. I spent days working on my application, and finally, I submitted it. Then I waited and waited until one day I received an email stating that I was accepted. I was filled with excitement as I realized I was chosen to attend. I truly never thought I would get in, but here I am planning my trip to New Haven, Connecticut, to attend Yale Young Global Scholars. It is impossible to know what might come next in life; you can make plans for your future, but when something is meant to happen, there is no stopping it. If I had never broken out of my comfort zone and applied for this prestigious program, I would not have the opportunity to go to one of the very best universities in the country. Everything happens for a deeper purpose, and I believe that Yale Young Global Scholars crossed my path for a reason. I am extremely excited to attend this summer and create lasting memories, along with expanding my academic knowledge. Remember, everyone is blessed with unique gifts, and never doubt yourself because you can achieve accomplishments that you thought were not even possible. When you take a leap of faith and believe in who you are meant to be, you will grow like a daisy in the glorious sunlight. Take that step.