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Dealing with Graduate School Rejection

  • By: Scholarships Cafe

The beginning of a journey is usually really exciting and ladden with great hopes of success because of course, nobody starts out to fail. So it is understandable that those great hopes turn into great feelings of despair and disappointment when plans do not work out. It usually is a gradual progression as initially with the first rejection, you might think, 'oh it's not a big deal, it's just one no'. But then one becomes two and then five and sometimes more.

At this point you might feel so demotivated and wonder why you even try. You might be tempted to just give it up, because why bother? And it doesn't even help that you see others succeeding where you're 'failing'.

These feelings sound familiar? If yes, rest assured you are not alone. It'd surprise you just how many 'nos' successful scholars got before that 'yes' that turned things around. This isn't a 'misery loves company' motivation. It is a ' you can turn that no to a yes' motivation. Here's how:

1. Do not panic, take charge. Do not let disappointment fester. You need to maintain a positive outlook to be able to deal objectively and not emotionally with rejection.

2. Revisit your application package, that is, your CV, SOP et al. to identify the weak points. 'Most things disappoint till you look deeper.'  You just might discover a thing or two you were missing or you weren't getting quite right. To turn things around, you need to do things differently. For instance, it could be that your CV, SOP or cover letters were generic and lackluster and using the Do-it-yourself format might just be the trick.

3. Ask for feedback. Instead of chucking the rejection to you just being 'unlucky', ask for a honest feedback on why your application was rejected. This would point out areas you probably wouldn't have given thought to and tells you what to do or not do in future applications. An example of a feedback request is: 

'Dear Professor Smith,

Thank you for your email. I will appreciate a feedback on my application in order to identify my weak points. This would also help me in my future applications.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Amadi, David.'

4. Write necessary tests including GRE/GMAT if required for your major. This could definitely give you the edge you need to stand out.

5. Invest in volunteering to build your leadership skills. These would demonstrate to the admissions panel that you are not defined just by your academic achievements. It shows you're dependable, take initiative and have community spirit. 

6. Remember the undergraduate or master's thesis you wrote, dust it and  publish them in peer-reviewed journals. This just goes further to add to your credibility and shows your ability to research both of which are  greatly desired in a graduate student.

7. Attend conferences and workshops  to hear about latest and novel research in your field. Your future PI (Full meaning) might just be there. 

Note that rejection is not the end of the world! Sir Bayle Roche said "disappointment is the nurse of wisdom". So when you get a rejection, don't stay down. Wise up and who knows, you just might be the motivating story the next scholar needs.