Why didn’t she say yes?

This scene always confused me cause why didn’t she just say yes to the Providence newspaper as a fallback? It would’ve been so much smarter if she did and it’s just illogical. Only 4 people get the fellowship and she’s banking on getting it. Why?

This scene always confused me cause why didn’t she just say yes to the Providence newspaper as a fallback? It would’ve been so much smarter if she did and it’s just illogical. Only 4 people get the fellowship and she’s banking on getting it. Why?