If I get rejected

[elephantsyeah]

I have not heard back yet from a school I really want to get into. I think I'm qualified and a good fit but I'm getting more and more worried about their decision. After one gets rejected, is there anything that can be done? Is it possible to contact a professor and tell him/her you really wanted to work with them and request something provisional?

Is rejection final or can I follow up with any hope of changing their mind?

[outside]

nothing is final, it never hurts to ask. plus, if you dont get in this year, ask what areas of your application could be improved, work on it for a year, save money and reapply. whatever you do, dont settle for less than whatever is your dream

[Minnesotan]

whatever you do, dont settle for less than whatever is your dream

That might not be the healthiest advice. Some people would do well to "settle" for less than their dreams, if their dreams are unrealistic, or if they place too much importance on prestige (which seems to be a trend around here).

Five years from now, wouldn't you rather have a phd from Iowa than 5 rejection letters from Harvard?