@duj117 absolutely, and I appreciate you putting that in here.
From my own personal experience: I have applied to countless fellowships/programs/ect throughout college. Most of them, I did not win. Being a determined, high achieving student (like all of us on this forum are), it is so so easy to put your value on if you win a fellowship/ect or not. It has taken me many rejections to finally come to understand that winning/not winning does not determine my overall success/ value as a scholar, and it not winning should not be a soul crushing moment. Determined, driven, smart people are no less determined, driven, and smart just because they aren't selected for a certain program. We are capable of making an impact on the world, some of us through this fellowship, and some of us in other, unique ways. Both paths are completely respectable ❤️
Good luck everyone.
