The US college application system is a grueling, brutal, and tiring process. As a high school senior, Stephen Pyon talks about the confusion and disappointment involved while forming his application. After being deferred from his dream school and later accepted, Pyon realizes the hard work that must be invested to achieve success and the self acceptance required to not lose one’s identity. High school student in Thailand. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx