Where I Was When I Got Into Harris: Asia Canady

When I decided to apply to grad school, I was conflicted about the choice.

I was in my fourth year of teaching and had finally found some semblance of a groove. I no longer worked on lesson plans into the wee hours of the night out of necessity, I had figured out how to fix every jam in the copy machine (trust me, this is huge), and most importantly, I was learning to enjoy all the little moments and opportunities with my kiddos. I, therefore, found myself in a tricky predicament when the thought of applying to grad school began creeping into my mind. Do I leave the comforts of my career and, more importantly, the work that I believe in so much in order to develop a skillset that would enhance my efforts in the communities I care so deeply about? In what felt like the most covert of operations, (trust me, children have a way of finding things out about you) I began applying to grad school just to “see what would happen.”

I knew that Harris would release their decisions on February 17, and when that day came I was a nervous wreck! I was checking my email every chance I could to the point my phone battery was about to die and it wasn’t even lunch!

My students had just come back from dance class and sat down for a snack break before our math lesson. I happened to have my phone out to record some of them showing off their dance moves when it rang. It was an unfamiliar number, but it read “Chicago, IL.” My heart sunk. I was expecting an email, not a phone call. Was there a problem with my application? Did they not receive my transcripts? I hushed the class and did something I would normally never do. I answered the phone.

“Hi Asia, this is Ranjan Daniels from Harris.” He sounded serious.

“Hi, Ranjan. How are you?” I sounded scared.

“I’m well. I am calling students that we’re excited about offering admissions to. Congratulations.”

This time the seriousness wasn’t so scary, but welcome. I am sure more was said, but by this point, the rock in my stomach had turned into butterflies. I was so excited that I was not only breathless but a little teary. It had happened!

The moment didn’t last long as I turned around and saw 25 pairs of eyes staring me dead in my face. I hadn’t planned on telling them anything until I had made a final decision, but here I was, potentially crying in front of them and I felt that they deserved to know about the phone call I just received. I explained that everything was ok and that I wanted to share something special with them.

Unprepared, I explained to them that I had applied to go back to school outside of New York and the phone call I just received was to let me know that I had been accepted. I explained to them that with college, after they accept you, you have to decide if you are actually going to go, but I haven’t made a final decision yet. After a couple minutes of answering questions and showing them pictures of the University of Chicago in relation to our home in Harlem, I asked them how they felt and what they thought. One of my fourth graders looked at me and said, “I’m going to miss you, and maybe we can be friends on Facebook, but I think you should follow your dreams.”

I don’t think I’ve ever heard more sage advice.