@RealLuchiano , a younger relative graduated from GWU graduate school a couple or four years ago. Like you, she is a URM and female. She earned great grades while earning her Masters degree in Political Science, and immediately landed a great job in DC in her field. She is now earning just shy of $90K and living her best life ever.
Don’t look at your acceptance as something you did not earn. Just the fact that you even have to have that thought cross your mind is reason enough to prove that an entire history and trajectory of systemic unequal treatment is what causes you to feel you don’t deserve good things, like to attend a great university and receive grants and scholarships. After having it insinuated by others your entire life about some Affirmative Action myths and misconceptions, you now start to doubt your own worth.
All it takes is a couple of people to ask ridiculous questions about whether or not you were accepted only because of your female minority status, and the cascade of doubt ensues in minorities. Don’t let the ignorant and spiteful doubt of others cause you to doubt yourself. Their enmity is theirs to own, and their petty jealousies are their cross to carry, not yours. Your successes are yours to be proud of.
Fight that feeling of a dozen nagging doubts. You EARNED the right to attend GWU and you most certainly DESERVE every good thing that happens to you going forward. As you work your way toward you degree, always remember that you BELONG at GWU.
Keep up the great work!