Deal With College or University Rejection

Submitting an application to college can be an exciting time in your life; however, receiving a rejection letter from that college can leave you feeling disappointed , stressed, and like your dreams have been dashed. What will you do? Don't worry. This is merely an initial setback and not the end of the world.

Steps

Dealing with Your Feelings

1. Allow yourself a day or two to feel disappointed. You've worked hard to get to the point of submitting your application. As a result, reading that you weren't accepted at a desired college or university can understandably be devastating. Therefore, it’s normal to feel upset for a day or two, but don’t let yourself wallow.
2. Don’t take an admissions rejection personally. Universities make admissions decisions based on a competitive applicant pool. Not getting into a particular college isn’t a personal rejection, but an outcome of many complex factors. Many times, the school just didn't have enough openings to accept all of the good applicants. In fact, even top-notch students get rejected from colleges.
3. Reach out to your social network for support. Don’t isolate; rather, let your friends and family comfort and support you. Seek out people who love you no matter what. They'll encourage you and help you feel better about yourself.
4. Speak with a counselor at your school. A school counselor will help you deal with the feelings of rejection that you may be experiencing. He'll also be able to improve your application by evaluating it for any weak spots. He'll then be able to help you understand the admissions process as well as assess your options.
5. Plan your next move because you still have choices. This isn’t the end of your life. Even though you’ve been rejected from some or all of the colleges to which you applied, you still have options. You can still go to college. With four thousand colleges in the U.S., you can find one that fits your needs and goals.

Examining the Role of College in Your Life

1. Getting into the right school is less important than having a good college experience. A 2014 Gallup-Purdue Index Report from interviews with 30,000 U.S. graduates found that “where graduates went to college ... hardly matters at all to their current well-being and their work lives in comparison to their experiences in college.” A key is to focus on having a good experience, not on getting into the “right” school. Some good experiences include involvement in extracurricular activities and/or having an internship. Ultimately, it's not where you went to school but what you did while there that will have a stronger impact on quality of work after graduation.
2. Realize that there are many ways to get an education, build a career, and live one’s life. College can be an important part of that process. However, if it doesn’t go the way you planned, there are many ways to get the education and experience you need. You can obtain an education through mentorships, apprenticeships, internships, and studying abroad. Attending another school affords most of the same benefits as your dream college. While there, you'll still make some great friendships, have the opportunity to get involved in activities for both fun and professional reasons, create memorable experiences, and get a quality education.
3. Expect the possibility that embarking upon the college journey can be stressful and can lead to haphazard decisions. Don't expect this expedition to be clear-cut and predictable. For most people, going from high school to desired college to internship to fantastic job is more of a dream than a reality. Actually, it's become more common to change majors more than once in a college that wasn't a first choice.

Regrouping, Reapplying, or Reconsidering

1. Reconsider your options if you were rejected from all your colleges. There are several other ways to go forward after not receiving any acceptance letters. Use this as an opportunity to research alternatives and to come up with a well-thought-out Plan B. Gather information on other schools and alternative paths.
   • For instance, if you want to pursue a career as attorney, you may want to consider attending a technical or vocational school to become a paralegal or court reporter, or you may want to attend a police academy to become a police officer. You'll then have hands-on experience that you can add to your application and apply when you do become an attorney.
2. Consider attending a two-year or community college. This can be a way to improve your grades and build a proven track record of academic success while saving money. Numerous community colleges have open admissions policies. You can then later transfer courses to a four-year institution.
3. Apply for a later term. Some colleges accept applications for terms other than the fall term. For example, you might be able to enter during the winter or spring term. Summer terms can offer smaller classes and more individualized attention.
4. Appeal your rejection. You could write a letter asking the school to reconsider, although it is extremely rare for a college to reverse their decision. You should include persuasive reasons why they should change their mind about you. Whether or not your appeal is accepted, you can at least know that you tried everything you could to get into that college.
5. Take a gap year. Taking a year off between high school and college can be a great choice for some people. You can work, travel, or simply enjoy this time in your life. It's a great opportunity to learn about yourself. It’s also possible to participate in an organized gap year program. There is always more time later to pursue an education, and pausing for a year can help you reassess your career goals.
6. Improve your application and reapply next year. Many factors go into college admissions decisions. Look at the weakest points of your application. Then incorporate any feedback you received from colleges into your plans to improve your application. You may need to improve:
   • Standardized test scores.
   • Personal statements and admissions essays.
   • Academic performance.
   • Volunteer experience.
   • Work experience.
   • Extracurricular activities.
   • Portfolio.
   • Subject test scores.
   • Interviewing skills.
   • Core academic requirements.
7. Keep a positive outlook. Even though things haven’t gone as you planned, you can still work to create the kind of college experience you want. Rejection from college is a common experience. Believe in yourself. You have what it takes to succeed.

Related Articles

• How to Do Well in College
• How to Choose a College
• How to Cope with Depression
• How to Apply to College
• Deal With Rejection Letters

Sources and Citations

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