How Not to Suck at Grad School: Rejection from Grad School
by Sierra Pecsi
You put the work in to fill out all the forms, met program requirements, ensured references were done on time, had a strong statement letter and still, you were rejected from graduate school and it sucks. This sense of inadequacy and uncertainty is understandable, but not uncommon. I have encountered plenty of students in my past work as a career counsellor that experienced those similar feelings after not getting into law, medicine, and grad school. Of course, I also have had my own share of rejection from psychology graduate programs. That being said, I hope to share what I think may be useful advice for anyone not sure what to do next or how to handle rejection. This applies to all graduate programs, research-based or not.
The feeling of rejection can make you question your abilities, career goals, and force you to obsess about your weaknesses. It will make you wonder why you applied to grad school or whether you should have done something different. Even so, your application may have been quite strong, but with so few spaces in many graduate programs it often comes down to the smallest details that determine whether you’ve made the first round or not. I understand this information won’t change the outcomes, but I hope it offers a new perspective on rejection.
You might be thinking why did I apply at all? This is an opportunity to reflect on whether grad school is right for you. Most students that I encountered applied because they thought it could help their career or because they did not know what else to do after graduation. This is part of a bigger issue, but don’t be afraid to ask yourself why do I want to go to grad school? Do I want to try again? What is my backup plan? What do I want to do instead? If these are some of your questions, I encourage you to reach out to your university’s career planning services for support; they often serve alumni as well. There is nothing wrong with uncertainty. When we are stuck it allows us to refocus our attention to explore what is really important to us and what we are interested in.
You might also be thinking, “what if I apply again next year and still don’t get in?” That is always a possibility. However, re-applying to the same program is proof you are seriously committed. It shows the selection committee that you take action and follow through on your goals, an important quality for completing a master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. It might also help to know that groups of applicants change each year. Some years there may be a lot of strong applicants vying for the same supervisors, other years there may not be. You never know who else will apply. You do not have to be the best applicant of all time, but you just might be for that application year. Therefore, instead of thinking, “What if I don’t get in again?” think about what you can offer this time around or the advantages you have by applying again.
How to Ask for Feedback
Once you’ve understood rejection, it is important to discuss how to handle rejection. How to cope with failure on a professional level can go a long way in your career. It is far too easy to send off a poorly thought-out email to any administrator, or faculty member, the moment the rejection email comes through. Inquiring about why you were not accepted or how many people were admitted can be viewed as inappropriate, not to mention they may not have the authority or information you crave. This is especially true for any potential supervisor you selected on your application. If you were in contact with a potential supervisor, they may be able to help, and decorum will go a long way in how much someone may be willing to assist you. Therefore, I strongly encourage applicants to wait several days before inquiring for information to gather your thoughts and avoid potential missteps. Below are some points to consider should you want to ask for feedback:
· Contact the right person. Review the program’s contact policy regarding who to communicate all application questions to. Often there is a specific email or point of contact that is the gatekeeper of such requests. If you cannot find the information, then contact a general inbox to kindly request that your inquiry be forwarded to the appropriate person.
· Be kind and respectful in your email communications
· Include a reminder of who you are, what program you applied to, and when (some graduate programs having rolling admissions)
· Be clear about the purpose of your inquiry at the beginning of the email
· Tactfully state the feedback or information you would like and how this will help your goals
· Keep it short and end on a positive note
· Express gratitude for their time or support
· Importantly, understand you may not receive the information or closure you deserve
Asking for feedback can be incredibly uncomfortable. Rather than thinking about what went wrong, I like to think of it as a chance to see what changes can be made to future applications- if you were going down that path. Responses are likely to be pleasant and helpful. Still, always keep in mind feedback is a privilege, not a right. When you view criticism or rejection as opportunities, you expose yourself to growth.
What do to next
Feedback is just the first of many steps you can take. Below are additional suggestions if you are considering applying to grad school again or want to pursue research further. This is not an exhaustive list and will not guarantee acceptance. These are steps I have found helpful for myself and from experience speaking with other grad students, professionals, and supervisors.
· Build your research skills or work in a professional setting. Remember experience does not equate to volunteering or free work. Ensure you will get something in return whether it be a reference, or your name on a poster abstract, publication, etc.
· Aim to work closely with potential supervisors either directly or part of a research lab. This will allow you to see if your supervisor is a good fit. They, too, need to know how you work in order to later support your admission to the program.
· Produce research or written content (e.g., posters, abstracts, manuscripts) that will add to your resume, grad school application, or funding application.
· Demonstrate strong writing ability by contributing to a blog post or editing manuscripts.
· Aim to present a poster at a conference (especially local conferences). Many university programs or departments host conferences run by students, and literature reviews are often welcome.
· Grow your network. Meet or link with graduate students in programs of your choice to learn about their path to graduate school. I found grad students to be incredibly helpful in the process.
· Consider to applying for funding. This is a big job however, being apart of a research lab with access to grad students and a research supervisor can help you with the application process. Not only will this add value to your grad school application but will also teach you how to write succinctly.
It is now time to think about your next moves. With more time to polish your skills and build your resume, you are on a stronger path of development whether it be in graduate school or applying to a job. You can take as much or as little from this but at least the application is already done.