The Secret of a Top Scorer novel
The first time, I got accepted into Harvard University.
The second time, I got accepted into Yale University.
Though I've consistently scored above 1500 on the SAT in every exam, both acceptance offers were revoked without exception as soon as the admissions offices saw my name.
I thought it was because of background checks that both schools revoked the admissions.
But my parents, Gideon Easterlin and Lydia Easterlin, are honest farm workers who live quietly and responsibly.
Until my third SAT attempt, I still scored over 1500.
I applied to Stanford University, thinking this time it was a sure thing.
But the interviewer, who was initially excited to conduct my final interview, froze upon seeing my name and immediately decided that Stanford University couldn't accept me.
I just couldn't figure it outwhat's wrong with my name? Why, despite my excellent grades, do all universities refuse to admit me as soon as they see my name?
*****
"You are this year's top scorer, Ashley Easterlin."
"Stanford University will not admit you. We can't take a student like you!"
The interviewer checked my application materials right in front of me and finally shook his head.
My joy turned to disappointment, and a sense of helplessness overwhelmed me.
I desperately wanted to know the reason and couldn't help but ask him, "Why can't you admit me? I clearly have the best grades!"
"At least let me know the reason!"
In response to my question, the interviewer just gave me a faint glance.
He said, "A student like you won't be accepted by any school!"
I tried hard to figure out the meaning of this sentence.
But no matter how hard I racked my brains, I couldn't find the answer.
Devastated, I collapsed to the ground, trembling and holding my head as I sobbed uncontrollably.
My mind was filled with confusion.
Why did I achieve nearly perfect scores three times, yet no school was willing to accept me?
The first time, my SAT score was 1500, and I got into Harvard University.
Just when I was eagerly waiting for the admission letter, I was informed that my acceptance had been revoked.
I couldn't believe it and immediately called the admissions office.
But when they heard my name, Ashley Easterlin, they didn't investigate further and simply said Harvard University wouldn't admit me.
The second time, my SAT score was 1540, and I got accepted into Yale University.
I thought Yale University would definitely accept me.
But the result was the same, I still wasn't admitted.
When I called again to inquire, they didn't admit me after hearing my name.
I couldn't figure it out. My scores kept improving, so why wouldn't Harvard University and Yale University admit me?
I thought it was because of a background check issue, so I specifically looked into whether Gideon and Lydia had committed any crimes.
But the result showed that our family has been clean for generations.
Besides, Gideon and Lydia are honest farm workers who usually keep to themselves.
I couldn't find the truth and refused to accept fate, so I resolutely took the SAT for the third time and reapplied to schools.
This time, I still achieved an almost perfect score.
Thinking about my previous experiences, I didn't choose to apply to the schools I had applied to before but instead applied to Stanford University.
With this score, I can easily get into Stanford University.
When I met the interviewer for the final interview, I confidently thought that this time I would definitely get into college.
Unfortunately, the interviewer rejected me once again.
When he saw my name, he was certain on the spot that Stanford University wouldn't admit me.
I still wasn't admitted.
After being rejected three times, I was utterly desperate.
Gideon and Lydia, seeing me sobbing uncontrollably, also shed tears.
"How could this happen?"
"Ashley has such good grades, how could no university accept her?"
They couldn't believe the result either.
Lydia, with red eyes, knelt directly in front of the interviewer.
She pleaded cautiously, "Please, let my daughter go to school. We'll find a way to gather whatever amount it takes!"
The interviewer ignored her.
Lydia simply started kowtowing.
Her forehead was bruised, and she grabbed the interviewer's pant leg.
Her voice choked, "My daughter is waiting to go to college! Her father and I have worked on the farm all our lives. Our biggest wish is to support her education so she can have a better life and not suffer like us. Please!"
Gideon also knelt down.
He hunched over, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and handed one to the interviewer.
He said, "I may not be educated, but I know my daughter's grades are top-notch, and she will definitely get into college.
"If she doesn't go to college, her future will be ruined. I'm begging you to help!"
Gideon smokes only the cheapest cigarettes to support my education.
Watching Gideon and Lydia, who had never bowed to anyone, humble themselves like this for me, my heart ached deeply.
Although our family is ordinary, Gideon and Lydia had never endured such humiliation despite all their hardships.
At this moment, he was kneeling and pleading for me to go to college.
Unfortunately, none of this worked.
The interviewer was not moved at all.
He said, "Don't do this, we will not admit Ashley."
Gideon thought his sincerity wasn't enough and even grabbed a sleeve to shine the interviewer's shoes.
He polished the shoes while begging, even kowtowing again.
Even so, the interviewer remained unmoved. "Stop pretending to be pitiful here, it's useless. We won't admit a student like Ashley."
The interviewer's tone was firm.
But no matter how much Gideon and Lydia pleaded, the interviewer refused to pay us any attention.
After the interviewer left, Stanford University revoked my admission.
I, the person involved, was completely baffled.
I desperately searched for reasons within myself.
What do you mean by a student like me?
What exactly did I do wrong?
In my memory, I never did anything wrong.
Since childhood, my grades have been good, my conduct upright, and Ive been a role model for other students.
Gideon and Lydia saw me looking dazed and came over to comfort me.
Gideon patted my head and said, "Ashley, it's okay. If this school doesn't want you, you can apply to another one. There are so many universities in the country; one will definitely accept you."
Lydia wiped away my tears and agreed, "Ashley, your grades are so good, how could you not get into college? No matter what, we'll do our best to help you fight for it!"
Theyve gone quite gray because I failed to get into college three times.
After the first rejection, they willingly paid for my tutoring.
They told me not to worry, they would always have my back.
After the second rejection, they hired a tutor for me at a high cost.
They worked multiple jobs, trying every way to earn money to support me.
They have always given to me unconditionally.
The reason my SAT scores kept improving was all thanks to their dedication.
But the third chance our family waited for still fell through.
At this moment, I feel deeply indebted to them.
I looked at their aging faces and rough hands, choking up as I apologized, "Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. It's my fault for letting you down again."
"I'm the burden, I've been holding you back."
They, of course, didn't blame me and just told me not to overthink.
That night, I tossed and turned in bed, replaying every detail in my mind.
Stanford University has already rejected me, so I can only rely on the other schools on my application list.
The first two times I applied, I was too confident about Harvard University and Yale University, so I didnt apply to any safety schools, and they both rejected me.
This time, I also applied to other universities.
Although my grades are enough to easily get into Stanford University, I also applied to other lower-ranked universities.
I was so afraid of being rejected by even these that I applied to the universities with the lowest requirements.
I thought, if the Ivy League and top schools don't want me, maybe regular universities will, after all, I've always been top of my class.
Sure enough, I still found hope.
When a regular university sent out admission notices, my name appeared on the provisional admission list.
The school heard that the top student in the city applied to them, and the next day they sent people to my home with great fanfare to welcome me.
We looked at the crowd at the door, and smiles finally appeared on our faces.
The school leader warmly approached, shook Gideon's hand, and said, "Having a top student like your daughter at our school is truly a great honor!"
"You two have truly raised a wonderful child. Rest assured, once your daughter joins our school, she will be a priority, with resources tilted in her favor."
Hearing these words, Gideon and Lydia's eyes lit up.
Lydia tightly held my hand and happily said that I had finally succeeded.
Gideon also straightened his back, his face full of pride.
The atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.
The school leader quickly took out the prepared admission letter for me and even asked us to take a group photo together.
He opened the admission letter with a beaming smile.
"Ashley Easterlin, upon approval, you are granted..."
He was reading and suddenly paused.
He stared at the admission letter, completely frozen.
Two minutes later, he looked up at me, his voice trembling slightly, "Ashley Easterlin? Are you sure your name is Ashley Easterlin?"
I looked at his expression, and my heart sank with a bad feeling.
Just as I was about to answer, Gideon responded first.
The school leader staggered upon hearing that.
He suddenly raised his hand, silencing the crowd, and the room instantly fell quiet.
Seeing this, Gideon and Lydia panicked a little.
The two turned to look at me, but I didn't look at them.
My eyes were fixed on the school leader's lips.
The next second, he coldly said, "Sorry, our school cannot admit you. I will immediately report to the admissions office to revoke your application."
In an instant, I felt dizzy. Fortunately, Gideon and Lydia caught me in time.
I looked at the school leader and asked him calmly, "Sir, please give me a clear reason."
"Your school has already admitted me, so what gives you the right to revoke it now?"
My hanging hand clenched tightly, my nails digging painfully into my skin.
I swore to myself that no matter what, I would uncover the truth today.
Gideon and Lydia chimed in, "Exactly! You've already admitted our daughter, how can you just change it like that?"
"Even though we haven't had much education, you can't do this. You must give us an explanation!"
The neighbors watching nearby whispered among themselves.
They all knew about my high SAT scores but no school was willing to admit me.
They were indignant, suspecting if I had offended someone. Otherwise, with my grades, every school would be competing to admit me.
Facing our questioning, the school leaders still said little.
He would only say, "No school would be willing to admit a student like you."
I kept asking, but got nothing.
As soon as the school leaders left, my family became the village's gossip, mocked and ridiculed.
"Ashley is just a money-waster, right? She tried for three years, but no school wants to admit her. It's a total waste of money!"
"You should give up on her going to college. Let her work and earn money! She's just a girl and will get married sooner or later."
"Exactly, let her work and earn back the money spent on her all these years!"
Hearing what everyone said, Gideon and Lydia were so angry they almost rushed up to fight them.
Lydia grabbed a broom and started chasing people out, her voice sharp. "Get out now! Stop being an eyesore to our family!"
"Our family matters are none of your business. If you dare talk nonsense again, I'll tear your mouths apart!"
Gideon said with a cold face, "Even if I have to work several jobs, I will make sure my daughter goes to college!"
Seeing our family's firm stance, those people had no choice but to leave while cursing.
I looked at the returned file again, unable to figure out what was wrong with my name.
Why did the schools that admitted me revoke it after seeing my name?
I can't figure it out, and I've pulled out quite a bit of my hair.
Gideon and Lydia looked at me squatting on the ground with bloodshot eyes, feeling both heartbroken and anxious for me.
Gideon smoked, helpless and frustrated.
Lydia was afraid I might hurt myself and kept trying to comfort me.
But at this moment, my mind is filled with failure after failure.
Could it be that Gideon and Lydia worked hard for me most of their lives, only to end up with nothing?
Suddenly, a light bulb went off in my headI thought of vocational colleges.
I suddenly looked up. "Dad, Mom, I still have one last chance!"
"One week later, the vocational college admission results will be out. Maybe I can get in."
Hearing this, Gideon and Lydia also breathed a sigh of relief.
I thought to myself, vocational colleges are the most basic schools, even the lowest scorers can get in. Besides, I got the highest scorethere's no way I won't get in, right?
Our whole family pinned all our hopes on the vocational college.
After all, my grades are good. As long as I get into vocational college, I can continue to improve my education later.
Our family anxiously waited for a week, and finally, the admission letter arrived.
We held the admission letter, hugged tightly, and cried tears of joy.
Early the next morning, Gideon went to the street to buy some treats to celebrate.
Lydia bought me two new outfits, saying I couldn't look shabby when I went to college.
Our family sat together, happily eating and celebrating.
I said with great anticipation, "Dad, Mom, when I start working in the future, I'll definitely buy a big house and bring you to live there so you can enjoy life!"
Gideon and Lydia smiled with joy.
Lydia said, "Our biggest wish is for you to be safe and sound, and not to endure hardships like us in the future."
"I believe you will achieve great things in the future."
But I never expected the principal of the vocational school to personally come to my house and ask for the admission letter.
Thinking of the previous ordeal, my face turned pale instantly, and my legs went weak.
I instinctively wanted to hide the admission letter on the table.
But he was faster, and when he opened the admission letter, I cried.
When he saw "Ashley Easterlin," his face instantly darkened, and he took back the admission letter right in front of us.
He said, "Ashley, sorry, this admission letter is void. You can't attend our school."
I don't understand why it's still like this.
After the principal left, I locked myself in the room, devastated.
"Ashley? Ashley?" I murmured my name as if entranced.
Then, I rummaged through the entire room, frantically searching for my ID card.
I need to see for myself, what curse is on my name?
I pulled out my ID card and saw the name on it.
In that moment, I suddenly understood something!
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