getting feedback after rejection

[Zelda311]

Today I received a rejection from letter from the only school I applied to, which happens to be my undergrad school.  I suppose it may have been naive to apply to only one school but honestly, it's the only program that I felt like I really wanted to do.  I actually said that if I didn't get in I would not go to grad school and tried to accept the possibility that I might not (because really I just wanted to be in this city) but I was pretty confident in my chances, particularly because one of my former professors who is involved in the program that I applied to wrote me a recommendation and was really enthusiastic about it (hope to see you here!)  I didn't even ask for funding so I can't blame it on that.  I didn't have the best gpa ever or anything (though perfectly acceptable) but I have been out of school for a few years and have experience to show for it.  My math section of the GRE was pretty weak, I must admit, but I was hoping it wouldn't come to that...

 

Also, everyone I talked to about this which is, like, everyone I know (I wasn't going to tell anyone that I was applying but I suck at not telling everyone everything about my life, apparently) thought I would get in for sure so not getting in is slightly humiliating.  I have no idea what to do now, as I am currently living with my parents because my year-long job (an Americorps position) recently ended and have no job prospects (though I haven't really been looking for a permanent full time job because of this.)  And I am feeling pretty dejected... I really have no idea what I even want to do with my life right now.

 

But I'm just venting.  Anyways, the point of my rant is that I want to follow up to see how I could improve my application for next year, if I decide to reapply.  Has anyone done this?  Who should I contact?  Does anyone have any other advice?

[daydreamer254]

I went through the same thing: I applied to only one grad program and was rejected. I was devestated and didn't know what to do. My career counselor suggested that I call the department and ask why I was rejected, but at the time I didn't want to. After a few weeks I did and I was surprised at the reason (not enough research experience--I thought it was my grades or personal statement). But who I called was the graduate coordinator and he had my file on record. He was nice about it.

 

Currently I'm in my second round of applying to grad schools and I've learned a lot, such as that I didn't even want to attend that program (and my reasons for applying weren't realistic). I also applied to three schools instead of one. So far it's going pretty well. Also, I found programs that were better suited for what I really wanted to go into. (I did a bit of soul searching for careers before I landed on the right one).

 

Rejection feels like the end of the world, but it's not. You can be down about it, but eventually you need to get back on that horse again and keep on moving. Do not give up.

[fancy35]

It sucks to not be accepted but don't feel bad. You have no control over the decisions of others and the same goes with getting a job too. And you should call, that way you'll know for next time and it will show them that you genuinely wanted to go to that school. 

[Reatha]

First of, on the "Is anyone planning for the future rejections" forum post there is a really good post on page two about this situation. Its a really long one about half way down the page and I highly recommend you read it. 

 

Secondly, here's my story:

 

I was accepted to medical school for the entering class of 2012 but after working in a research lab for well over year I realized that this was not in fact what I wanted to do. I turned down the offer, to a summer research internship that lasted for only a few months and looked for a job. Come August my internship expired, even with an engineering degree I had not found a job and was forced to move back with my parents. I watched my friends, roommates and classmates move on to high paying jobs and continue their lives relatively unhindered. 

 

I spent four months with my parents, during this time I applied to graduate school draining 1000 out of my already tenuous savings. After Christmas I got a call for an internship with a Chemical Company and a full time job offer with a company. At this point I had already applied to graduate school and really wanted to go in August. I turned down the full time offer (which paid more and had benefits) because I was not in the position to make a long term commitment. I'm currently moved out and working however my rejection letters have really started to pour in. 

 

During my down time I applied to 10 schools, one of which my recommenders did not get his letter in on time, so it came out to be 9. 

 

I interviewed with one program, but other than that I've gotten nothing but no. Currently, I've been rejected from 5 programs and an unofficial rejection from one. I'm still waiting on 3 (one of which was the school I interviewed with) but its not looking good at this point. I feel the need to emphasize, I turned down medical school and a well paying job to pursue this opportunity and now it looks like I'm going to end up with 9 rejection letters. 

 

Despite all this, I will reapply with a very different and improved application. I will apply to external funding, probably more schools and ones that align better with my interests and I WILL EMAIL MY PROFESSORS OF INTEREST BEFORE HAND. (sorry for the caps. but this is really important)

 

I made a lot of mistakes this application season and I will have a better application next year. On top of that I'm going to talk to the schools that I applied with to see why I was rejected. If its something I can change/address then I will. 

 

I feel I need to say, I have an advantage in this and so does Arianna, I know that I want this. I know that I can committee to these programs and at the end of the day they are all looking for that. 

 

You need to decide if this is something you really want, and if it is keep trying. Email the school that turned you down, pursue other opportunities and reapply. I believe that persistence is rewarded and good things come to those who try. Yes, some people need to work harder than others, but that makes their accomplishments even greater. Tesla, the man who invented the electrical system that is used worldwide, dug ditches for two years to make ends meet. Its not over until you stop fighting for it and decide it is.

 

With that I say good luck, to you and everyone else that has a rejection year story. 

[doobiebrothers]

I went through the same thing: I applied to only one grad program and was rejected. I was devestated and didn't know what to do. My career counselor suggested that I call the department and ask why I was rejected, but at the time I didn't want to. After a few weeks I did and I was surprised at the reason (not enough research experience--I thought it was my grades or personal statement). But who I called was the graduate coordinator and he had my file on record. He was nice about it.

 

Currently I'm in my second round of applying to grad schools and I've learned a lot, such as that I didn't even want to attend that program (and my reasons for applying weren't realistic). I also applied to three schools instead of one. So far it's going pretty well. Also, I found programs that were better suited for what I really wanted to go into. (I did a bit of soul searching for careers before I landed on the right one).

 

Rejection feels like the end of the world, but it's not. You can be down about it, but eventually you need to get back on that horse again and keep on moving. Do not give up.

I just love your response. Sending you hearts and flowers and wishes for success.

[zapster]

If you had mentioned specific POIs in your application or SOP you should get in touch with them. Ask them questions in both areas - reasons for rejection as well as what can be done to improve your application in the future.

 

p.s.You should know that they may not all necessarily respond to you (depends on the individual, and I have heard mixed stories on this one), but if they do, you can get some really good insight.

 

Best of Luck!

[mav1113]

Hello Zelda,

 

Did you apply to Phd or master's degree programs, a!nd in what fields?

 

I'm a doctoral applicant to public policy programs for Fall 2012 and finished my master's in applied sociology last year after working in research for three-years and completing a year of AmeriCorps (congrats on finishing your service!). In applying to schools/programs this year, compared to when I went for  my master's in '09, I noticed that a majoritty of them requested not only a 3.5 min. GPA, but a master'[s degree in a related field....and these were state/public schools! In particular, more "professional" degree programs, such as policy and administration want folks with experience since these programs tend to be a bit more applied than others in the social sciences. With that said, and regardless of field of interest, I would try and get as much research, work, and/or volunteer under your belt---which will also help counterbalance bad GRE scores--which I also had both times I took them! However weak the weakest part of your grad application is (for me, this was also my GRE scores and quite possibly the fact that I completed a master's degree and didn't do a thesis or have publications), you need to make sure that the strongest part is THAT much stronger. For you, it sounds like that will be your experience.

 

Be confident about your americorps experince...it is HUGE. My undergrad was completed at a pretty low-ranking school---the only thing it scored in the top 10 of in the past decade was a list of party schools, but with my americorps and work experience under my belt, I got into 4 out of 5 master's programs I applied to--including 1 that offered 50% tuition remission and 1 was full remission. Remember, AmeriCorps not only speaks to your character and commitment to various causes, but more often than not, you're getting exposure to work enrionments and tasks that a "normal" undergrad would not. There is something to be said for that--use it to your advantage.

 

As I was leaving my master's program, one person in my cohort applied for the PhD, and got denied....so, I understand how embarassing that can be. However, unbeknownst to her, the person in our dept. she wanted to CONTINUE to work with was actually leaving, which is also part of the reason as to why she got denied---there wouldn't have been enough faculty in her area of interest, and they weren't intending to hire additional faculty in that area b/c they were trying to bulk up on other areas. My point in relating this story to yours is that there could be a multiude of reasons as to why you get rejected---many applicants may want to work with the same faculty as you (thus increasing your competition), the person you knew may not have sat on the review/admissions board (and, afterall, they only represent one vote), there could be an impending faculty change, the department may be in the midst of changing direction/focus area...etc. etc. There are only so many variables you can control, and you'll NEVER know all of them, despite what  the person (who, ultimately, doesn't really care--they have more to do than field calls from disappointed applicants) tells you when/if you decide to call the department.

 

Anyway, things happen for a reason...and not going to school this year will do nothing but HELP make you a better applicant for next year!

 

Best of luck~

Edited March 6, 2013 by mav1113