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An Unlikely Thank You

I never thought I’d see the day where I was grateful for being rejected from my top school. Six months ago if you had told me that I would eventually feel this way, I probably would have said you were crazy with that impressive cynicism only we teenagers are capable of. But here I stand, ready to embark on this nine month journey, truly thankful for that fateful rejection letter.

It is easy to talk about taking a gap year; it’s another thing to actually commit to it. So although I discussed taking a year off throughout high school, I’m not sure I would be here with Global Citizen Year had I been accepted back in December to my top school. The stress and excitement of the application process had consumed me, and I couldn’t imagine wavering from the path to college on which I was running full speed ahead. Being rejected halted me in my tracks, and allowed me to reevaluate the direction I was going. What I ultimately realized was I wasn’t ready for college. Tina Fey wrote in her memoir Bossy Pants that the most important rule of improv is to take risks. As an improv-er myself, I live by this idea. I see in Global Citizen Year a chance to prove my audacity. I want to experience something new and uncomfortable because I recognize that I thrive when I take risks. I want to harness the momentum I have right now in my life and apply it to something exciting and important. After twelve years of traditional schooling, I am eager to take what I’ve learned and apply it in a meaningful way. I am ready to break from analytically based education and dive into empiricism. With Global Citizen Year I will challenge my idealism and test the valor of my determination. College can wait.

Danielle Livneh

About Danielle Livneh


Born and raised in Lexington MA, Danielle has been a dancer her entire life. She mainly studied ballet and jazz at the Lexington School of Ballet, but has trained in almost all styles. Danielle was also a member of her school’s improv troupe, and sang with the a cappella group, Euphoria, throughout high school. As the vice president of her class, Danielle worked to organize school events and various fundraisers during her four years at Lexington High. Danielle feels passionately about challenging herself, and is described as adventurous and enthusiastic by her friends. Looking forward, Danielle hopes to help inform the public about important issues through a career in journalism.

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