Miriam Knight is an intelligent but unattractive young woman who is disrespected by those around her due to her homely appearance. She has changed colleges five times in three years. In that time, she has taken a lot of different classes, but is still unable to find a boyfriend. At her new college, things go from bad to worse. She is either ignored or humiliated by almost everyone. Miriam finally lands the lead in a play, but her jealous roommate, knowing Miriam is allergic to roses, places some in a box during Miriam's performance, causing Miriam to sneeze herself into humiliation. She tearfully speeds away from the college campus, but is involved in an automobile accident.