CarolinaSLP

It is okay to be disappionted about not getting in- especially when you worked as hard as you did! I would take the time to allow yourself to feel upset, angry, or any other emotion: they are all valid. Try to take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and you are joining the ranks of many others who didn't get in as well (and totally deserved to). Graduate school is really stressful and you could try viewing this next year as an unexpected year of growth and self exploration, a time to just sit back and enjoy the phase of life you are on for awhile longer before the beginning the struggle of being a grad student. Also, COVID19 is going to affect a of programs and acceptees this next year (classes could remain online, prices may go up, etc.) so maybe it is a blessing to have circumvented going back to school during this messy time. 
You don't have to jump into figuring out where to apply/how to improve your application for the next cycle just yet- instead, just allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling and try to find the positives to next year not going as planned! It sounds like you worked super hard and I hope that you will get in next cycle, wherever that may be!!

It is okay to be disappionted about not getting in- especially when you worked as hard as you did! I would take the time to allow yourself to feel upset, angry, or any other emotion: they are all valid. Try to take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and you are joining the ranks of many others who didn't get in as well (and totally deserved to). Graduate school is really stressful and you could try viewing this next year as an unexpected year of growth and self exploration, a time to just sit back and enjoy the phase of life you are on for awhile longer before the beginning the struggle of being a grad student. Also, COVID19 is going to affect a of programs and acceptees this next year (classes could remain online, prices may go up, etc.) so maybe it is a blessing to have circumvented going back to school during this messy time. 
You don't have to jump into figuring out where to apply/how to improve your application for the next cycle just yet- instead, just allow yourself to feel whatever you are feeling and try to find the positives to next year not going as planned! It sounds like you worked super hard and I hope that you will get in next cycle, wherever that may be!!