Academic performance, often measured by grades and test scores, may not truly encapsulate an individual's potential. My personal journey from athletic admission to graduate school, navigating racial representation and affirmative action, proves this. Despite initial low grades, my later achievement of the Dean's list shows that dedication, non-academic skills, and addressing socioeconomic factors can transform academic success. As the only Black person in my cohort, I recognized affirmative action's role in combating institutional racism, while also highlighting individual merit. Conversations around academic ability must extend beyond race and acknowledge the multifaceted nature of potential.