Well recently, I got REJECTED by a university. Yep, it was an
unpleasant experience alright. Long story short, I have been studying for the
upcoming entrance test since August 2014 but unfortunately I got an email that
said I am not in the short list. So that's that but now I am not here to rant
about that "sad" (at least people will think so) moment and I am going
to talk about how to deal with university rejection.
Before you read please mind that I am writing this to you guys who is rejected so for you guys who is still in the process of achieving it...just don't give up! because people like me envy you.
Okay the first thing you gotta do is to change your mindset.
Perfect?
Okay I need you to answer these questions: Why is it considered perfect for you? What possibly caused your rejection?
Well the answer for these questions in my case are:
1. It is perfect because they have great facilities, program, amazing scholarship deals
2. Competitive, they usually except the brightest among the bright students.
So after answering these I don't really feel it is the right place for me since it is really competitive and full of smart people with perfect report cards (which I am not). If I got in, I would not be able to catch up with the other because (it is really hard for me to admit this but it is true) they are smarter and capable to understand the material faster than me which will made me ended up with bad grades and loads of stress. So the second question is really important because it will also determine what type of student they (the university) are looking for and those people will be your classmates (a competitive and ambitious classmates in my case) so you have to think if you are not smart like the others do you feel comfortable in that environment? My answer is no! because for me choosing the right university is not only about the facilities bla blah blah but also the environment surrounding us every single day.
They don't know YOU
You know what? They don't know you. They rejected you based on paper. Maybe a SAT result, test examination paper, an essay...these things can not presented you as a whole. Even an interview can not show the whole story. They do not know how you are determine to get a better score over the years or your sacrifices when working on your portfolio. You are worth more than you think and some university do not see it but some other university will be glad to have you because well you are that awesome. So I think it is not your lost, it is their lost for not having you there.
Okay a short story from my experience, I applied to three different universities, I got rejected to the university on the top of my list but I got accepted to the other two. One of them even offered me a scholarship because I did really well on the test and they are really looking forward to have me there. So I think the perfect university for you existed! It might not be a top university in the world but it is perfect because they are able to see this side of you that other university might not able to see.
Next point...
Good university?
I think many universities want to have a smart and active student that is why we got eliminated right? because there are just some people who are smarter than us (sadly). Well once a person talked in a seminar and asked us to compare between two universities. The first university have been considered as a top university with successful alumni which is hard to get into and they only accept smart students. And the other university is a university with so so quality but they are able to transform a so so student into a successful person as well. Which will you pick as the "better" university? Well she said that the second one is better because they are able to transform a so so student into a successful person while the other accepts smart students which will most likely be a successful person no matter where they study.
I think she does had a great point and remembering her words kind of made me feel better but I still think that being successful in the future depend on ourselves and that so so university doesn't always produce successful people which brings me to the next point.
It is up to YOU
What is the purpose of getting in the university? A career in the future, right? Being successful is something that doesn't affected by the university but it depends on you. I think a top university is only good for your CV and being successful is determined by yourselves not your university. No matter how nice your university, if you don't work well in the future, you will stay as is. I always remember the phrase "All roads lead to Rome" so there is not only one way to reach your dreams so being rejected is not the end of your dreams because there are so many road that leads you to Rome.
And you know what? Show them you are capable to be successful no matter where you are studying. Make them regret it for not having you. See this rejection as a new motivation not something you cry all day long because you know what people says....
So, I hope you are all still able to smile and keep in mind that many universities will be glad to have you as a part of their community. I really hope you'll eventually find it!
Okay, good luck on your journey!
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