Applying to law schools is somewhat more terrifying than applying to college. Your parents have bragged to the universe that you’re going to be a lawyer. Now you have THAT to live up to.
I pretty much blanketed the east coast with applications. And then the waiting game began. Every day that I checked my mailbox and didn’t see a letter was agony. I was quickly rejected from the Harvards and Yales of the world… no surprise there. I’m not really “Harvard material” anyway.
Then one day after four agonizing months of waiting, I got my first acceptance letter. New England School of Law. You can’t imagine – and I can’t adequately describe – the relief I felt at receiving that letter. I would be going to law school SOMEWHERE. It didn’t matter that this school was in Boston. UGH! The heart of Red Sox country. Winter would last from October through April. It was so far away.
The next letter came. Franklin Pierce Law Center. In freaking Concord, NH. It was my dad’s school. He was literally the first graduate. If I went there, I would have that to live up to. 200 people in each class. There were more people than that in most of my lectures at Maryland! And let’s not forget it would be TEN HOURS away from my life in Maryland. Away from my friends. My boyfriend. My love.
I HAD TO get into a Maryland law school.
The rejection from Maryland School of Law came like a wrecking ball. It was heartbreaking to think I would have to leave my life in Maryland behind. But I had one chance left – my letter from Baltimore hadn’t come through yet. And when it did, I got in. I desperately wanted to like the school. But once I set foot on its campus, I knew I couldn’t go there. I HATED it. I had felt the same way about the school in Boston. I cried through most of my tour. I knew I was going to school in New Hampshire. And I couldn't stand the idea of it.
But I would stay if he asked me to. I knew it. He knew it. All he had to do was tell me he wanted me there with him.
He didn't say it. Couldn't? Wouldn't? I'm still not sure which...
And so off to Concord I went.
6 comments:
Alot of people would not have gone to a place that they really did not want to go to, especially leaving their mate behind. Much respect!
Otin: it was really hard. and while it was for the best, part of me will always wonder what would have happened if i had stayed...
My brother didn't get into his law school of choice and I think it still bothers him. He wanted to go to Notre Dame like my dad did. :(
But if you had stayed, you wouldn't have that tiny little person you love so much.
Blueviolet: i always thought that after you get your first job, it doesn't matter where you went to school. it's tough living up to (or down to) your dad's reputation at a school.
Rach: so true...
Those choices early in life are so freakin' hard.
I'm glad I'm done with the college thing. For better or for worst, I already selected schools. And a husband for that matter...now I just have to see how it all turns out.
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