Getting rejected from your dream school can be really tough. We want you to know that admissions are really competitive. In fact, the admissions rate for the University of Michigan is only 18%, and that includes in state. It’s a lot harder now than it was a generation ago. Additionally, we have some thoughts on what you should do next and in the run-up to your next round of applications.
Take Some Time to Chill
Between school, extracurriculars (hopefully a social life), and applications, you’ve been burning it on both ends. It’s really important that, following a rejection, you take some time to just chill out a little and be sad if you need to feel sad. This is actually part of the whole strategy so you can let yourself rest and process a little bit. Hang with some friends or be alone and watch movies for a day or two. Really, allow yourself to do nothing (except what’s essential for passing school). We give you permission!
Creating a Plan
Once you’ve taken some time to process, it’s about that time to get going. The good news is, you’re not starting over. You’ve already put in valuable work. You just need to tweak and reassess a bit, and yes, do a little bit more work. But the foundation is there and you are well on your way!
First, get out your college list. Ask yourself these questions: Do I have a strong mix between recaches, targets, and safeties? What are the average ranges for each of these schools? What are the next deadlines? Just because you didn’t get into Michigan Early Decision doesn’t mean that you need to cross off all schools with a low acceptance rate. Not at all! It’s totally fine to keep going for reaches. This is also why you have a college list in the first place. Hopefully, you spent serious time researching schools to create a list of places in which you could truly see yourself. There are a ton of amazing schools out there and you will get in somewhere great.
Next Thing
Next, you should take a good look at your Common App. We advise all of our students to treat the Common App essay as an opportunity to let part of your personality show. There’s not a whole lot the admissions committee can glean about you from just your resume, GPA, and test scores. They actually want to know about who you are. All colleges have a personality themselves and they’re trying to attract students who would be a good fit for the vibe. Showing your personality also helps distinguish you from the other hundreds or thousands of stacks of paper the admissions committee is reviewing. Make sure your essay is quirky or funny (if you can pull off funny). A lot of students think they need to sound sophisticated or intellectual. We totally disagree. This is about allowing someone to get to know you. It’s not a dissertation. Now, look to those January dates and put them in your calendar.
Get Some Support
Getting back on the horse and coming up with a clear strategy can be daunting, especially when your confidence is shaken. While we have full belief that you can do this, many students find it helpful to work with a college consultant. We offer what’s called the “It’s Going to Be Okay” package for students who didn’t get into their top choice Early Decision school. This is an intensive, two-week bootcamp to help kids devise a rock-solid plan and get everything in great shape following bad news in December.
The entire college application process can be really difficult and even emotionally taxing. If you’ve faced an Early Decision rejection, we want you to know that the future is still bright. There are steps you can take to shore up your plan and your application materials for the next round. You’ve already put in all of the hard work of being a great student and doing well on standardized tests. It will pay off. You’re in the home stretch!
Need help with a Common App essay? Call us. We’re experts at helping students craft stand-out essays.