Rejected, seeking encouragement

[daylate]

I haven't received official rejections from most of my schools, but based on the decision postings here, I'm sure they're forthcoming. I've moved from depression to acceptance, and now want to start thinking positively about moving forward.

 

So to anyone here who has previously applied, been rejected, then tried again, and was accepted: any words of encouragement for us rejects? What did you do the second time around (or third) that improved your application and made the difference?

 

I've been out of school for eight years, and took a couple of post-bac classes to get back into the swing of academia, improve my grades, and get recent recommenders. It wasn't enough this time, but should I keep at it? Take more classes, improve my writing sample, hone my statement? Any practical advice, or just positive thinking advice, would be very welcome.

[ak48]

First time applicant here and I'm going into science/engineering, not humanities, so I don't know much about your situation.

 

But all I want to say is that you haven't been rejected yet. It's good to have a plan to move forward if such things were to occur, but things can still pan out.

[geitost]

I am on my second round of applications. Last year I applied to two schools (only) and got two rejections. This time I've applied to three and got two offers and am still waiting to hear back about the third. And I know there are plenty of people on here who were successful on their second or even third attempt (you may want to look through some of the other threads). It's definitely worth it to keep trying!

 

As for me, I retook the GRE and improved my score, and I completely rewrote my statement of purpose. I wrote a new one from scratch and realized in the process how less than perfect my first statement was! I think it made a difference that this time around I was more aware of what I want to do, why I seek a PhD and how my life and career to date have equipped me for it. If you've been out of school for a while it might indeed be worth it to take some more classes, develop a specialty (if you haven't yet done so) and mull over a few potential thesis topics.

 

Unfortunately, I am no expert on positive thinking but maybe it helps to know that so many of us got into great programs on our second try! Some even say that, in hindsight, the first rejection ended up being something of a blessing because it helped them discover their true research interests. Plus, one year can go by extremely quickly

 

But don't lose hope until you've heard back from all your schools.

[iExcelAtMicrosoftPuns]

Lucky you, Daylate. You've got an entire year to prepare- to work for yourself- to learn on your own agenda- pursue your own dream- learn a new hobby (pottery perhaps?). Those poor suckers that got accepted, chasing that carrot (the whip hand is strong).