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Summary of Question:	I Want To Be A Teacher ... Need Some Advice
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Tuesday, 11/29/2005 11:56 AM MST

Hello,

I've been reading your advice for many months now and I think you are doing an excellent job. It is now time for me to ask of your assistance since I believe there's no one else to turn to.

I am a 23 year old female and I need your help with my education. I wish to be a teacher and I have completed my undergraduate degree. However, I am having a lot of difficulty getting into teacher's college (in the country that I live in you have to get your undergraduate and then apply for admission to the college afterwards). I first applied two years ago, but I did not get in. I was devastated, crushed, hurt beyond belief and even suicidal. I spent days crying and didn't talk to anyone for such a long time. I was confident that I would get admission, but then the rejection letters came and I did not know what to do with my life. I even began questioning why God would do such a thing to me and why He was putting me through such pain. I grew up in a family in which religion was important and I have always had a strong belief that God will make things better and that I am the person that I am today because of the blessings of Waheguru. However, not gaining admission made me question those beliefs. I had always been a "good girl", never done anything against my parents wishes, tried to be the best Sikh that I could be and everything else (haven't been in any relationships, have never been out, don't cut my hair etc. ... ) I wondered why I wasn't given admission but those that club, drink, smoke, have many relationships got in. I became very angry and reclusive and even got into a fight with my parents (I had never done that before). My parents saw how hurt and devastated I was and were supportive of me (I thank God for that, don't know what would have happened if they hadn't been). My local Gurdwara began doing regular simran and I started participating and I found such peace and tranquility there. I eventually realized that maybe it just wasn't in my kismat to get admission that year and maybe it was a test from God to see if I could handle things.

Anyways, I applied again last year but again I did not gain admission. I did some more crying, but I was a lot stronger than I had been the year before. I have applied this year as well (applications are due on Dec. 1, but I mailed mine a couple of weeks ago - the previous times I had usually waited until the last moment). Now my parents are getting serious about my marriage and I desperately need to get admission this year as I want to be a teacher and I don't know how my husband and future in-laws would react if I decided to go back to school when I'm married.

After my long rant and rave above, here is my question .... is there a path that I can do to increase my chances of gaining admission? Also, I wanted to know why you think I did not gain admission even though I meet the requirements and everything.

I thank you in advance for your response and advice.
Sincerely,
Determined to be a Teacher

---reply

"It's not the life you lead, it's the courage you bring to it." Life gives us many challenges. It is not the challenge that is important but how we choose to handle the challenge. I was glad to hear that you have gained peace from Wahe Guru and that you have gotten stronger.

Now about your admission. I would call the school and talk to the Dean of the Education Department. Explain that you have been denied 2 times, but that you are very determined to be admitted. Ask if there is anything more you can do to guarantee your admittance. You want to make an impression...you want to stand out, so when your application comes up to the committee, you will be remembered and considered someone worth taking special note. Don't just wait around. Do something. Make yourself known. Be very polite, positive, kind, and enthusiastic - just the kind of person they wouldn't dare reject. My daughter was rejected from medical school 2 times. Today she is in her residency at a very prestegious hospital. Don't give up and don't sit around and wait for your fate. Be pro-active and be the "squeeky wheel," that has grace and charm. Let us know what happens. GTKK