Welcome to the section called “how to be rejected in approximately 6 months”. Well at least didn’t loose a man in 10 days (a great romcom to watch today btw).
Going back to our topic of interest:
So last year I took a leap of faith thinking I could get into a prestigious university, we will conceal its name for diplomatic purposes, but I then realized I wasn’t going to follow a purpose well I was going to write a lot but overall, I just genuinely wanted a full ride scholarship since I really need one, but was unable to get it and more talented journalist took the spots.
Anyhow, I really liked how my essay came out so I will proceed to share the essay in question. (Drum Rolls please) I am not willing to loose this masterpiece according to me, myself and ummm I!
The essay that got me rejected and some exhibits that weren’t allowed in the format:
¿Can a television interview shift a young woman´s career aspirations?
It all started back in 2011, when the bravest journalist in Honduran history was courageous as a lion, with the strength to open a complete Pandora’s box on national television. At 13 years of age, I sat with my grandparents listening to all the ugly truths he had to reveal in the most watched political morning show in Honduras. From that very moment, Mr. Alfredo Landaverde became my role model allowing me to understand the basic notions of journalism: always be truthful, find data where no one else does, and defend your morals at all cost if you have evidence to back up your claims. He knew the current government had tight relationships with drug cartels and organized crime, and he had no fear of speaking up. (I deeply admire Mr. Landaverde and his legacy, you should read about him and his legacy to Honduran journalism)
That was the moment I decided I wanted to be a journalist since I fight for honesty and I really liked the green color of Landaverde´s shirt, that transmitted hope in the midst of such an eerie interview. Unfortunately, Landaverde was assassinated for stating the only truth that could never remain hidden. The 7 of September of 2011 changed my life forever. He became the first journalism martyr in Honduras and we still mourn him deeply. In 2024, ex-president Juan Orlando Hernández was charged guilty of all accusations in the Manhattan Federal Court; all the claims had been announced in some way, not with names or titles by Landaverde, he knew something very dark was going on inside democracy (not precisely the Hernández potential Netflix series) but time gave him reason yet people cut his time too short.
When I was just entering my teenage years, I told my mother and grandparents that I wanted to be a journalist just like Landaverde. They encouraged me to follow my dream but they gave me cautionary advice: if you want to be a transparent journalist, your life might be in danger in this politically tribulated country. They knew the seed they were growing at home had a big mouth and a great investigative vein to pursue stories like a hound puppy. I still consider myself a hound for unknown causes, misunderstood phenomena and those interesting interviews that are an enormous challenge.
Since I honestly wished for longevity, I ended up getting a degree in Audiovisual Communication and Advertising, where I became a storyteller without a formal journalistic approach. I kept having a journalistic vein in my body, but it lay dormant for a few years, until now that I am old enough to know, the truth is more important than any prize, threat or recognition.
During my bachelor’s degree, I received the Summa Cum Laude honor and got to write a pandemic set graduation speech, but to me, the biggest recognition was knowing I gained solid production notions and writing techniques during my time at college where I also worked half time as an academic excellence scholar to afford my full tuition.
After graduation, I decided to work at the country’s biggest media network and actually got to work side by side with great journalists who believed in me and gave me interesting assignments such as: a radio show to promote women’s rights, the project management of an educational campaign, investigative journalism tasks for a documentary on irregular migration and multiple challenging interviews which included a remark from the one and only María Celeste Arrarás, a role model for any aspiring latin american journalist. My work at the network showed me interviews are fascinating even when they do not involve such renowned figures.
The best part of any challenge: the mentors you gain (shout out to Selene, Sergio, Samantha, all my teachers and maybe a couple of people at my current work place) and the classmates that you help out (shout out to my now colleagues), two things I wish to relive in the (rejecting University). I want to pursue this journalism program with the purpose of redefining journalism for any Honduran that wishes to tell all the impactful stories, undertake challenging reporting assignments and eradicate the sensationalist approach that has been proliferated in the media.
I was proudly born and raised in Honduras, a country that is marvelous in culture, tourism, kindness of its citizens and so many positive aspects that get lost in the only narrative media put a spotlight on: how dangerous our country is, how government officials are rotten to the core and that we need an external savior as important as Jesus Christ himself to carry the crosses of all the lives lost in the hands of violence. I am nowhere near our Lord when it comes to being a global changemaker but I truly believe I have the power to transform the narratives that are hurting a whole country. This particular MA in Communication can enhance my skills to analyze the impact of politics, culture, media and the tone the press has within my beloved Honduras.
Narratives tend to remain obscure because you really have to love Honduras in order to look past fog curtains that are not just part of ambiental contamination. I have always been fond of writing so at 16, I challenged the system and even got an opinion article published in a whole page on a Sunday, a deep and very diplomatic analysis of all this mystical political game. 10 years later I am thrilled to have found this MA program that will ensure my positive voice is heard as loud as Landaverdé´s roar. Being a (rejecting University) student will be the first step towards my own transparent media narrative and multimedia platforms that can have a considerable impact in my community.
I have been writing since I have the ability to read and use a pencil properly and even took the courage to start a personal blog this year to begin my preparation for all the writing that awaits me at (rejecting University) . Being a part of such a prestigious faculty would be a complete honor and great opportunity for data analysis software to take my reporting skills to a next level. New technologies, artificial intelligence and data mining is something I really want to reinforce within the program and bring back to my country where data remains hidden due to the lack of the proper resources.
Thank you for reading this first statement of the aspiring journalist Andrea Rodríguez, hopefully her next piece will be published personally at Meet My Words because an admissions committee thought it wasn’t enough. Disclaimer: I have no political preference and the parts with parenthesis were added for practical, inspiring, honest and funny purposes of this entry.
What did I gain from this? I remember a great book called “The Choice” by Dr Edith Eva Ever (a MUST READ) where she says no one can reject you except yourself. Outcomes can be a yes or a no. You decide how to process them.
So today I decide to allow this NO to become a failed experiment to get into a 3% admissions rate university. Don’t let the big NO’S to become a rock in your shoe, cry if you need to, process your anger and then look for somewhere in the world where your dream can come true. I later found a program in a country where art flourished during the Renassaince, still waiting for an answer, if you pray can you please help me out? And if you just cross fingers that will be very useful too!
Salutations from a non journalist who now wants to be a writer and Communication Strategist!
Oh and an irreverent ending to this post jajaja Meli if you are out there thanks for the picture. So Rejecting University thanks for reviewing my application but this is how I felt when I got my letter of “I regret to inform you”. Sorry for the disrespect but it wouldn’t be me without this funny ending. Bye and thanks for reading my application. 🥹📚
Final exhibit? I will keep you posted on the old continent application if it goes well. Dear university who might find this if you enter into my blog: I promise I won’t be sending a “Chingue su madre picture” if you reject me okay? I really like your program and we can make great things together.
-Andrea Rodriguez (the rejected one) @meetmywords
Happy Valentine´s folks, you now know men can reject you in countless ways jajajaja.
MEET MY WORDS 
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