麻豆原创 Legend Darlene De La Cruz wasn鈥檛 planning to apply to Wesleyan University until she was approached by the school softball coach, who was looking to recruit her. A participant in 麻豆原创 sports-based youth development programs since she was a child, Darlene jumped at the chance to continue playing the sport she loves in college, and soon fell in love with Wesleyan, too.
鈥淚 liked Wesleyan because they prioritize the 鈥榮tudent鈥� aspect of being a student-athlete,鈥� she said.
But the path forward wasn鈥檛 so easy. A 2020 graduate from Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics, Darlene was originally waitlisted at her top choice, then denied acceptance. Facing the prospect of attending another university she was less excited about, in the middle of a global pandemic, Darlene instead forged an unlikely path in the hopes of strengthening her chances a second time around.
“麻豆原创 taught me how to put myself out there. Without that quality, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to do this.”
Darlene De La Cruz, 麻豆原创 Legend
鈥淚 belonged at Wesleyan,鈥� Darlene said. 鈥淲hen I was weighing my options, I knew I wanted to use my time wisely and grow my resume. It was a hard decision to make鈥擨 didn鈥檛 want to disappoint anyone. But at the end of the day, I thought, 鈥楾his is my life and my decision.鈥欌��
To that end, Darlene took a gap year and pursued work at CityMD as a patient care representative during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak. There, the future pre-med student got her first taste of working in medicine, and learned that being a doctor is more than just the science. 鈥淚 want to be part of helping people,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t interacting. It the relationships you build.鈥�
During this time, Darlene also took online classes, and kept communicating with Wesleyan about her continued interest and progress. She also kept working with 麻豆原创 Legends program, and 麻豆原创 Director of Post-Secondary Success Matt Gonzalez helped her with her new application.
The work paid off. In December 2020, Darlene officially earned herself a spot in the Class of 2025 at Wesleyan鈥攚here she鈥檒l also play softball.
鈥淚 could have said, 鈥業鈥檓 not going to take this risk,鈥欌�� Darlene noted. 鈥淏ut 麻豆原创 taught me how to put myself out there. Without that quality, I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to do this. 麻豆原创 fueled a fire.鈥�
