Receiving a rejection letter from your dream school in the Early Decision round can seem like a heavy blow. You’ve put in countless hours of hard work to be a strong candidate and had high hopes for your future at UVA. It’s really important to remember, however, that the outcome here isn’t a reflection of your potential (or your worth). College admissions have become incredibly competitive and UVA’s acceptance rate is just 19%, according to U.S. News and World. And by the way, we don’t think this means you’re not qualified to get into similarly competitive schools. So, don’t despair. Read our guide below on what you should do next:
Take Care of Yourself
Before you begin planning your next steps, it’s crucial to prioritize self-care. You’ve dedicated an immense amount of effort to your NYU application and your academic journey in recent years, from standardized tests and AP courses to extracurricular activities and homework. Take some time (but not too much…) to process. Allow yourself to recharge for a few days. Put on some really comfy sweats, sit on the couch, hang with friends, and just chill. Be sad if you feel sad. It’s okay.
Review Your College List
Once you’ve had time to process a little, focus on regrouping. Remember, you’re not starting over. Everything you’ve done thus far is still in play. You will need to do some re-evaluating of your approach. Start out by examining your list of potential schools. Take a look at each one and not the average acceptance ranges for test scores and GPAs. Note where you fall for each. Now, double-check. Is your list balanced? Does it include a well-rounded mix of reach, target, and safety schools?
What you do next really depends on your comfort level. There’s no need to cross off other similarly competitive schools simply because you didn’t get into UVA ED. If you’re feeling confident, great! If you want a bit more reassurance, consider adding another safety or moving a target to the reach category. In most cases, a complete overhaul isn’t recommended here. If you did the research when you were developing your list, then trust the work you did and fine tune it a little bit.
Improve Your Common App Essay
The Common App essay plays a pivotal role in your application. It’s worth considering how you can make it better and make it stand out. We recommend our students craft exceptional essays that actually showcase their personalities. Admissions officers sift through a sea of essays and applications, so your goal is to captivate their attention.
Tell a compelling story with a clear beginning, middle, and end that highlights your distinctive traits. Keep it simple. Avoid overly complex or grandiose themes and narratives. Make it light-hearted, engaging, charming, and wherever possible, inject humor to make yourself memorable. Imagine you’re the admissions counselor and think about what type of essay would capture your attention after reading countless others. Strive to present yourself as a genuine, well-rounded person.
Seek Some Guidance
Getting an Early Decision rejection can be a daunting experience. It’s entirely natural to feel lost or uncertain about your next steps. Many students find it beneficial to seek advice from a college consultant. We offer a specialized “It’s Going to Be Okay” package tailored for students who received less-than-ideal news in the Early Decision round. This intensive two-week program is designed to help you put together a solid plan and regain your footing after a rejection.
College admissions have undeniably grown more competitive. But don’t lose hope if you have an Early Decision setback. There are actionable steps you can take to remain a strong candidate for an outstanding school.
Need help with a college essay? Call us. We’re experts at helping students write outstanding essays.