To the Dean of students,

Thank you for your letter dated January 28, 2015. I do appreciate the time that you took to write it and the ink and paper that you used. But after careful consideration with my board, which is me, myself and I, I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me the chance to study at your university.

This year alone - which as you know has just begun - I have been a lottery winner in receiving rejection letters. With such a varied and promising number of rejections, it is impossible for me to accept all denials. I just can’t "please” everyone and it is with utmost sadness that it is you I have to say no to. By the way, my no is a no, it isn’t about to change to a yes.

Before I applied for university, I thought critically about which university I wanted to attend prior to applying to your campus. Need I remind you that Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have applications online unlike your university where I have to come in person? I decided to forego the luxury and apply to your university and you are not going to turn me down just like that.

I know the students whom you chose have outstanding qualifications but I highly doubt they used as much effort and prayer as I did. I had to go shopping last week because all my clothes don’t fit me anymore due to the number of days I spent fasting for this opportunity. In my village, I have been nominated for an executive position upon graduation and you are not about to take this chance from me.

I find that your rejection does not meet my needs at this time. Therefore, I will be coming to class one week after the starting date due to the vacation I will be taking in celebration of this very unique chance. I look forward to seeing you then.

I also have dreams of becoming the guild president of the university and later on becoming a minister. It is during this time that I will critically look out for whoever had a hand in my rejection letter.

Best of luck in rejecting future applicants, it isn’t easy I know, but sometimes you just can’t take everyone. I am only among the lucky few.

Yours sincerely,

The Campus Inspector

campusinspector@newtimes.co.rw