Growing up in the South, it was very patriarchal. When I applied to Stanford, I was told by a [male] college counselor, "You're never gonna get in, don't bother. They don't want you." I said, "I'm going to try." And I got in! But I wouldn't be the woman I am if I hadn't had that conflict to overcome. It has given me an underdog feeling all my life.
![Growing up in the South, it was very patriarchal. When I applied to Stanford, I was told by a [male] college counselor, You're never gonna get in, don't bother. They don't want you. I said, I'm going to try. And I got](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/reese-witherspoon/growing-up-in-the-south-it-was-very-patriarchal-when-i-applied-to-stanford-i-was-told-by-a-male.jpg)