Rejected from PhD program - won't tell me why.

[ApexLegend]

Hi all,

This morning I found out I was rejected from the grad program that is run by the department I currently work in - despite having a very strong application, backed up by good references, research experience and years of professional experience.

This was upsetting, as you can all imagine, but what I found most frustrating is the lack of feedback that was not given.

In short I was told to apply to other universities next time around - but no reason was given, or pointers on how to improve my current application for the next round. This hit me the hardest as I know several members of the application committee, and all of them were silent.

What worries me is that I was rejected based on a complaint that was leveraged against me by a student last year, a complaint that was proven to be unfounded, but has still been noted on my employment record.

Is it possible that the committee would reject me based on this historical complaint?

[rockwizard]

I mean, it would depend on what sort of... "complaint" it was. Committees can technically reject you for pretty much any reason...

[ApexLegend]

Thanks for the reply rockwizard. Wouldn't that be classed as retaliation though, aren't there laws against such things?

[rockwizard]

Not sure. I mean, they could just argue that your personality wasn't the right fit for the department if you bring up laws. I would move on, personally. 

[ApexLegend]

I think your point is what upsets me the most right now, because these are people I work with on a daily basis, I share lunch with them, department hang outs, and I am regarded as one of the most reliable, approachable and friendly members of staff.. and yet 'I'm not a right fit for the department'... that really hurts.

The question is.. do I now quit my job knowing that there is no way for me to proceed here and that the same people who wrote me off from the grad program are the ones I have to work with everyday?

Edited February 6, 2019 by ApexLegend

[rockwizard]

What do you mean by staff? Are you currently a masters student and are a research/teaching assistant?

[ApexLegend]

I have a masters degree, and I am working as a research scientist in the department.

[rockwizard]

Maybe they are not taking PhD students, maybe they don't have funding, maybe they don't thinking research interests align, maybe one of them is trying to go on sabbatical/retire/etc. 

There's a lot of possible reasons why they would reject that you shouldn't take personal.

[Boolakanaka]

Take it from someone that is long in the tooth—one of the biggest gifts we can receive in life is clarity. It may not be on your terms or timing, but in many ways this provides you clear instruction and now you can create your own liberation....

[ApexLegend]

I wish I could be optimistic, but I'm 40 this year, and I can hear the clock ticking. Doing a PhD in my field has been a lifelong dream and I can feel it slipping away as each year passes.

[crackademik]

This is probably terrible advice, but here goes nothing. So I think you have every right to be offended. Regardless of the reason they should have the decency to tell you. It would be one thing if you were 1/700 applicants, but you're an employee. If you haven't already, I personally would ask people on the admissions committee why they rejected you/what you can improve on. Make sure to do this in person since it is generally harder to ignore someone to their face. Then, if they decide to write you up or fire you, that's when you can actually take legal action. Just make sure that you are polite and document everything. 

[Ternwild]

33 minutes ago, crackademik said:

This is probably terrible advice, but here goes nothing. So I think you have every right to be offended. Regardless of the reason they should have the decency to tell you. It would be one thing if you were 1/700 applicants, but you're an employee. If you haven't already, I personally would ask people on the admissions committee why they rejected you/what you can improve on. Make sure to do this in person since it is generally harder to ignore someone to their face. Then, if they decide to write you up or fire you, that's when you can actually take legal action. Just make sure that you are polite and document everything. 

@ApexLegend Before all of this, you need to clarify what this "complaint" is.  This "complaint" may be something you feel is unsubstantiated but depending on what it is, the program/board may be not interested in having any incidents in this program.  You need to clarify before I can even remotely take your side on this.  Everyone is the hero of their own story. 

[historygeek]

8 minutes ago, Ternwild said:

Before all of this, you need to clarify what this "complaint" is.  This "complaint" may be something you feel is unsubstantiated but depending on what it is, the program/board may be not interested in having any incidents in this program.  You need to clarify before I can even remotely take your side on this.  Everyone is the hero of their own story. 

Absolutely this. 

[crackademik]

Just now, historygeek said:

Absolutely this. 

Yeah you guys are right