Being an Asian daughter comes with a heavy responsibility—especially in a country where few invest in their daughters' education. But my parents are my heroes. Despite the discouragement they faced from others, they chose to believe in me. They invested in my future and gave me an opportunity that not every girl receives. Because of that, I carry the pressure of making them proud. I'm 17 now, and it's time for me to apply to universities. My parents dream of seeing me study at a top international institution. Since my early teens, I've dedicated myself to that dream—working day after day to prepare for competitive college admissions. Unfortunately, despite all the effort, I didn't get accepted into my dream schools: Harvard, Stanford, and UPenn. The day I received those rejections, I felt completely worthless—like I had failed as a daughter. My parents had high hopes for me, and I couldn't live up to them. They hoped I would score at least an 8.0 on the IELTS, but I got a 7. They wanted me to achieve a 1500+ on the SAT, but I scored 1430. They wished to see me win Olympiads, but I placed 4th for three consecutive years. It's hard not to feel like I've never been enough. That I've never done enough. Sometimes, the pressure and disappointment feel unbearable for a 17-year-old girl. Still, I'm trying. I'm thriving, despite everything. And to be clear: my parents are not strict—they are deeply supportive. That's what makes it harder. Their belief in me is unwavering, and because of that, I often feel guilty for not meeting their expectations. Now, I'm applying for government funding, since I've been accepted to a top-200 global university without a scholarship. This feels like my last chance. If it doesn't work out, I don't know what's next. I just know I am giving it everything I have. One thing is clear, all I want is achieve my goals, dreams despite any obstacles and fails. WISH ME LUCK!