How did you handle the rejection?

[Muddypuddy40]

Greetings all,

 

My second post here. I've recently applied to several doctoral programs(UC Berkeley, Johns Hopkins to name a few) and so far I'm 0-2 despite my 3.7 GPA and 10 plus years of work experience and undergrad research.

 

When I struck out on Berkeley and Hopkins I was devastated. Now I'm awaiting UC Merced but honestly I've been depressed about being rejected. I know people get rejected all the time but how did you overcome that depressed feeling?

[poorducky]

I'm in a similar boat. Honestly, the way I've been trying to cope is just by getting through each day as normally as possible and lettings my routines carry me along. Continuing to act like everything is fine has been helping me realize that rejections really aren't the end of the world. Plus, a "no" isn't a "never", right? I've seen a lot of folks here telling each other to not take the rejections personally, and that they aren't necessarily rejections but redirections-- maybe that's what we need to keep reminding ourselves.

I hope you hear good news from UC Merced, and that you find your stride!

[Goegraphy Tutors]

Thanks for sharing this—it resonates. Rejections, especially from places where you've poured your hopes and effort, can hit hard. I’m sorry to hear about Berkeley and Hopkins. Those are incredibly competitive programs, and it’s completely valid to feel disappointed.

I went through something similar last cycle, and what helped me was reframing the rejection as part of the process, not a reflection of my worth or potential. A 3.7 GPA, a decade of experience, and research work? That’s already a strong, meaningful record. Sometimes it’s not about what you lack, but about how you fit within a department's very specific needs that year.