Handling Rejection and Reapplication in Graduate School Applications

Rejection and Reapplication: How to Respond [Show summary]Admissions guru Linda Abraham highlights four reasons that could cause a rejection and offers concrete, practical suggestions for moving forward. Rejection and Reapplication: How to Respond [Show notes]Some of you unfortunately are facing a fistful of dings. Some of you haven't heard definitively. You are either in waitlist limbo or haven't heard anything, but you know that rejection at this point in time for the previous application cycle is a distinct and increasingly likely possibility. How can you respond to rejection? How should you respond to rejection? How can you reapply successfully if that's what you choose to do?One of the challenges of admissions is showing that you both fit in at your target schools and are a standout in the applicant pool. Accepted's free download, Fitting In and Standing Out, The Paradox at the Heart of Admissions, will show you how to do exactly that, and both of them. Master this paradox and you will be well on your way to acceptance. I'm going to do a solo show today as I addressed the questions I raised a minute ago. It's going to be one where I both give a little high-level encouragement and then get down to brass tacks advice on what you should do if you decide to reapply.Rejection reality [1:42]First of all, let's face it, rejection is disappointing. It's frustrating. It's painful. It's maybe even a little embarrassing. Acknowledge your negative feelings. It's okay. You put a lot of effort into this year's applications. You spent money and time on them. You invested emotionally in this whole project, and some of you may feel that this is the end of the road for your particular career dream. Maybe you've applied before. Maybe you find rejection to be a terrible blow. Realize that rejection is disappointing. It is a setback. It is not a tragedy. No one has died, no blood has been spilled. You haven't lost your livelihood.What about my dreams and goals [2:23]You may say, "But what about my dreams, my goals?" Well, I have two thoughts for you. You may not need to give up your dreams and goals. You may decide to reapply and we'll get to how you should do that more effectively in a few minutes. You may apply to different schools that are easier to get into and that still support your goals. You may decide to achieve your goals in another way that doesn't require a graduate degree or perhaps would benefit from a different graduate degree. You may need to modify your dreams and goals and replace them with new dreams. In other words, to re-dream instead of reapply. I can tell you that there have been many times when my husband and I seemingly hit a dead end on a dream and had to re-dream, and things frankly worked out better than we had ever hoped. For an example of someone who had to dream differently, please check out episode 234 for the story of Andrea Benedict, who had to abandon her dream of becoming a physician, became a PA instead, and absolutely loves her work and her career.Handling the stress of reapplying [3:23]If you are faced with a rejection, give yourself an hour or two, and if it's the final rejection, maybe even a day or two to be a little down and then move on. In fact, pat yourself on the back for your effort and initiative in applying in the first place. You tried to improve your skills and education. You tried to move forward. You tried to grow and improve. That effort deserves to be acknowledged and praised. I, for one, salute you. And again, if nobody else is going to do it, take it from me or give yourself a pat on

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