Before we get into ways to cope and determine your next steps, I’m sorry you didn’t get into grad school. A grad school rejection can be incredibly hard to deal with – we know from experience.
To start, it’s okay to feel upset, disappointed, or any other emotion. Rejections are tough, and that’s completely normal. Grad school applications are long, complex, and exhausting. After months of effort, receiving rejections can be not only disappointing and demoralizing but also confusing. If you worked hard and already pictured yourself attending the school, the rejection will sting.
While we don’t recommend dwelling on it for days, it’s okay to acknowledge your sadness and take a break before deciding if you want to re-apply. After a little time to process, it’s important to build yourself back up and figure out what’s next. Below, we’ve outlined steps that have worked well for students (and ourselves) in the past—whether you choose to re-apply or move forward with a new plan.
Put things in perspective
If I were you, I’d try to put a positive spin on what might feel like a “dream-crushing” experience. Why? Because graduate schools will still be there next year and the year after that. The key is to pick yourself up and keep going. There are plenty of motivational posters (the kind you saw in middle school) that remind you to work hard, not give up, and keep your chin up. Get past the cheesy stuff and choose one to be your motivator.
If you’re truly interested in learning how to get into grad school, the lessons from this setback will make you more prepared for the next admissions cycle. Think of it this way: you now have insight into what kind of candidate doesn’t get accepted, and you’ve got 8-10 months to transform yourself into the kind of candidate who does!
Start by reminding yourself that rejections are incredibly common. Space is limited, and not every qualified applicant gets in every time. Even Sergey Brin, the founder of Google, was rejected from MIT before applying to and graduating from Stanford University! Each year, we see students who were previously rejected get into programs—sometimes even the very program that turned them down before—when they reapply.
The grad school evaluation process considers dozens of factors for thousands of applicants, trying to determine the ‘ideal fit’ for their program in just a few minutes. It’s far from perfect. So, remember that rejection from your dream school isn’t a judgment of your self-worth, hard work, or intelligence. Stay focused on your larger goal and keep working towards it—whether that involves a graduate degree or not.
Moreover, rejections can sometimes be a chance to find clarity and move forward more certain and focused on your next steps.
Then, start think about what’s next
After you’ve (if you’re like me) shed some tears over your rejection and accepted that it can happen to anyone, the next step is to pause and reflect on what it means to you. Set aside an hour for some self-introspection and try to answer the following questions:
- Do I actually care that I didn’t get in, or is it just my ego that’s hurt?
- Is grad school the correct path for me? Or can I achieve my career goals through other paths that I’d probably enjoy more?
- Can the time, effort, and money needed to get into my dream school be better invested somewhere else?
One note on introspection – it doesn’t have to be done in front of your computer! Sitting at your favorite coffee shop, going on a walk, or meditating are all great ways to reflect.
This introspection will help you understand what the rejection truly means to you and whether you care enough to reapply next year. If you’re still determined to give it another shot, remind yourself that this rejection just means you need more experience or time to succeed in your mission. Then, move on to the next step.
(If you decide to re-apply) Determine how you can improve your application
Once you’ve decided to reapply next cycle, the first and most important step is to identify where you can improve your application. There could be many different reasons, so it might be helpful to discuss them with a few friends or mentors to see where you can strengthen your chances.
While late or incomplete applications, missing recommendation letters, or low test scores are common reasons for rejection, sometimes it’s the more nuanced aspects of your profile that hold you back. Things like a ‘lack of leadership or volunteer experience’ or a ‘lackluster personal statement’ could be the factors standing in your way.
Examine every part of your application with an eye on both substance and style. Consider not only the content you’ve written and the skills you’ve highlighted but also how you present the information and the stories you choose to share.
Another crucial aspect is to review your work experience and how it aligns with your goals. Have you clearly explained your aspirations and career objectives in your application? Sometimes, connecting the dots between your past experience and future goals is what makes or breaks an application!
We often get asked if it’s okay to reapply and whether you’ll be penalized for doing so. Let me clear this up once and for all: No! Any negative connotation around reapplying is completely misleading. If anything, the admissions team appreciates dedication and persistence. What they don’t like is seeing the same candidate with the same application year after year. So, make sure to work on your application, address your shortcomings, and genuinely enhance your profile before reapplying.
Go straight to the source
While you should definitely review your own application, the best way to understand what led to a rejection is to follow up with an admissions officer at the school you applied to. It’s not always possible—schools have different policies on this—but it’s worth asking!
When requesting personalized feedback from the admissions team, approach it with professionalism and humility. Start with a thank-you note for reviewing your application, then gently request insights on what could be improved next time. Ask if they might be willing to schedule a brief phone call or share feedback via email. I also recommend expressing your continued excitement for the school and your intention to reapply as a stronger candidate.
Be respectful of their time and input. Whether the feedback is about this year’s mistakes or steps to follow next year, advice from the admissions team can significantly boost your chances for acceptance next time. Plus, it might be noted in your file that they took the time to speak with you!
Try all avenues available
Whether or not you hear back from the admissions team, seeking additional feedback is always valuable. Start by reaching out to faculty from the school to see if they’re willing to review your application and offer personal advice. While it’s helpful to consult mentors or friends who helped with your original application, it’s crucial to seek fresh perspectives as well.
Studying the program’s admitted class profile can be helpful (here’s an example from UC Berkeley’s MBA program). This provides valuable insight into the type of academic and professional experience the admissions team considers worthy of admission. If you notice many admitted candidates with similar backgrounds, you’ll realize the importance of making your application unique and compelling to stand out.
Was it my test score?
You might also be asking yourself the all-too-common question: how much of a factor was my test score?
Believe it or not, a perfect score won’t guarantee admission to your dream school. However, a very low score can hurt your chances of getting into a school that should be within your reach, given your GPA, experience, and letters of recommendation.
If you received an okay GRE score, say 152 on both sections, the GRE might not be what’s holding you back. Other factors, like omissions or weaker aspects of your record, could have influenced the admissions board’s decision. That said, improving your GRE score could help offset these other components—especially those that are more fixed, like your undergraduate GPA.
On the other hand, if you scored in the low 140s, your GRE score could have been a factor in your rejection. If you find yourself in this group, don’t lose heart. You can improve your score (I often see Magoosh students increase their scores by 16 points). By doing so, you can also improve your chances of getting accepted the second time around.
But I don’t just want to give you a pep talk and a pat on the back. Increasing your score, even by 10 points, means you’ll need to work not just harder, but smarter. When reapplying, you usually have the advantage of time. Use that time wisely and put in the effort to improve your score!
Remember – you can never know for sure
Grad school applications assess more than just your qualifications. The admissions team also considers the school’s strengths and weaknesses, faculty preferences, the size and diversity of the cohort they’re building, and often the available funding.
Sometimes, when you get rejected, it has nothing to do with you. While it’s crucial to analyze your application, talk to professionals, and identify 2-3 areas for improvement before reapplying, it’s also important to recognize that there’s an element of luck in the process. Your job is to put your best foot forward based on the information you have.
Start working with a fresh perspective
Along with gathering information and identifying ways to strengthen your profile, it’s equally important to approach the application process with a fresh perspective. Can you see yourself as a brand new applicant, rather than carrying the weight of previous rejections?
Additionally, consider how you’ll manage stress during the application process. You’re going to go through it again. How can you make it feel more manageable and positive this time around?
Need more support with reapplying?
We’re here to help! Check out our Graduate Admissions blog for more information about strengthening the non-test portions of your application. Then take a free practice test to see what your GRE score is at now that it’s been awhile since test day. You may have taken the GRE before the test format changed, so be sure to learn about the new, shorter exam. A proven study plan is a great way to stay on track with your test prep and make sure you’re learning everything you need. Finally, consider a Magoosh Premium Plan to access expert GRE and admissions support, including real ETS questions, custom practice, detailed explanations for all problems, and real application essay examples.
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