Senior UG. E/E/E/G/VG/E --> HM
I am proud, but still disappointed. A HM is just so close and I didn't apply with the intention of aiming for HM. My GPA is 3.8+ in engineering and I have strong research experience and accolades. A very good friend of mine also a senior UG in engineering got awarded, still great research experience and we have similar CV strengths, but her GPA is < 3.3.
However, I know that a LOT comes down to chance (i.e., variability between application years and who your reviewers are), and not receiving the award does NOT in any way indicate that you are not, or will be, a superb scientist. The application pool is so competitive, and a lot of people who don't get awarded are so deserving (just a reminder ).
I am very happy for my friend who got it, who personally deserves the extra funding more than I do because she has student loans she can now pay off, even as I am disappointed in myself. But I know I will move on from my disappointment. It's perfectly reasonable to look forward to getting awards, and to be disappointed when you work so hard and don't get one, especially if you feel like your work is up to scratch with your peers who get awarded. But if you go into grad school for solely the prestige, you are in the wrong field.
