Reviewed by:
Mary Banks
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Reviewed: 4/26/24
Have you recently received a rejection letter from a college you were counting on? Here are the next steps you should take.
Rejection stings, especially when it comes from a college you've set your heart on attending. But before you crumple up that letter and throw in the towel on your college dreams, take a deep breath. A rejection letter doesn't have to be the end of your academic journey.
In fact, receiving a rejection letter from a college is more common than you think. It's not a reflection of your worth, intelligence, or potential. Rather than letting a single rejection define you, this is an opportunity for growth, reflection, and starting your new path forward.
In this article, we'll explore some common college rejection letters, what to do after receiving one, and how to cope with being denied admission to a school you were hoping to attend.
How to Deal With a Rejection Letter From Your Dream College
If you’ve recently received a rejection letter from a college, don’t let it get you down. There are many reasons a school may reject you: try not to take a school's decision personally. Instead, refocus on how you can improve your chances of acceptance moving forward.
Let’s go over the steps you can take to deal with an admission rejection letter from college.
1. Remember You’re Not Alone
Many students receive rejection letters every year. Unfortunately, you’re not the first student to receive one, and you certainly won’t be the last. Try not to let your letter get you down. Take some time to get yourself into a better headspace first. Then you can pick yourself up and determine your next move.
2. Check Your Status With Other Applications
When one door closes, another opens. If you’ve been accepted to other schools, celebrate those wins! Even if a school isn’t your first choice, it may offer unique opportunities that will give you an amazing college experience.
3. Consider Your Other Options
Listen to your heart when it comes to taking the next steps. Your options include:
- Accepting an offer at another school
- Taking a year off to pursue meaningful experiences, retake classes, travel, or work
- Apply to other colleges if you still have time to do so
There’s no wrong answer here. As long as you keep your head high and move forward, you can pick the choice that makes the most sense for your timeline and goals.
4. Retake Tests and Try Again
If your test scores were low or you didn’t meet academic requirements at your target school, you may want to use this time to improve your future application. Remember to evaluate the average of the incoming class rather than the minimum requirements when setting your academic goals.
5. Seek Help From an Admissions Consultant
If you want to increase your chances of acceptance, consider reaching out to an experienced admissions consultant. Admissions experts who are former admissions committee members and writing experts can help you perfect every aspect of your application.
Reasons Colleges Send Rejection Letters
There are several reasons you may receive a college rejection letter. Not getting into a college doesn’t necessarily mean your application wasn’t strong or that a school wouldn’t accept you the second time. Let’s go over the most common reasons colleges send rejections.
You Didn’t Meet the School’s Academic Requirements
One common reason schools don’t accept students is because they don’t meet academic standards or requirements. This may mean you didn’t complete the necessary prerequisite courses, your test scores were below those of admitted students, or your qualifications weren’t at the same level as those of other candidates.
When applying to college, it’s important to research the average grades of the current class to understand academic expectations. With most schools, only meeting the minimum requirements isn’t enough to get you accepted.
You should also thoroughly research the necessary prerequisites and testing requirements before applying to avoid missing anything.
Your Application Was Incomplete or Had Errors
It happens more often than you think; many incomplete applications are rejected each year automatically. This means that no matter how strong your application is, it may have been rejected before an admissions committee got the chance to review it.
Before sending each application, ensure that every field is filled out and every necessary document has been sent to your target school. Similarly, errors can cause rejection of your application before your qualifications are reviewed. Common application errors include:
- Grammar and spelling mistakes
- Using the wrong school name
- Providing incomplete or inconsistent details about your experiences and academics
The best way to avoid rejection because of incomplete applications or mistakes is to carefully review all materials before submitting them.
Your Program Is Full
Program seats can fill up quickly, especially at more competitive schools. As a result, many qualified applicants might be turned away. Sometimes a school will put you on a waiting list or defer your application if this is the case, but not always.
There may not always be a surefire way to avoid rejection at selective programs.
However, you can help avoid the issue by sending in applications as early as possible before the program fills up.
The School Doesn’t Match Your Needs
Sometimes a school may send a rejection letter if they feel your goals don’t fit the school. For example, if your application states that you’re looking for a big city experience, but the school is located in a rural area, your application may be rejected.
This typically only happens when the school has to make tough decisions between multiple qualified candidates.
Understanding College Rejection Letters - What to Do
Receiving a college rejection letter can be disheartening, but it's important to remember that it's not the end of your academic journey. Here are some common examples of rejection letters and tips on how to respond:
Example #1
Dear [Applicant],
We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to our institution for the upcoming fall semester. Our admissions committee carefully reviewed your application, but due to the highly competitive nature of our applicant pool, we are not able to provide you with a place in our incoming class.
Thank you for your interest in our university. We wish you the best of luck in your future academic endeavors.
Sincerely,
[Admissions Committee]
Tip: Thank the admissions committee for their time and consideration. Express your disappointment but also your understanding of the competitive nature of the admissions process.
Example #2
Dear [Applicant],
After careful review of your application, we have determined that we cannot offer you a place in our incoming class. We received a record number of highly qualified applicants this year, making our decision process extremely challenging.
While we are unable to provide you with admission, we appreciate the time and effort you put into your application. We encourage you to continue pursuing your educational goals and wish you success in your future endeavors.
Best regards,
[Admissions Committee]
Tip: Acknowledge the effort put into reviewing your application. Inquire about any feedback they can provide to help you improve future applications.
Example #3
Dear [Applicant],
Thank you for applying to [University Name]. While your academic achievements are commendable, we had an exceptionally competitive applicant pool this year. Regrettably, we are unable to offer you admission to our university for the upcoming fall semester.
Please know that this decision does not diminish your accomplishments or potential. We encourage you to continue striving for excellence in your academic pursuits.
Sincerely,
[Admissions Committee]
Tip: Thank them for recognizing your academic achievements. Ask about the possibility of being placed on a waitlist or if they can suggest other institutions that might be a good fit for you.
Example #4
Dear [Applicant],
We appreciate your interest in our university, but unfortunately, we are not able to offer you admission at this time. Our admissions committee thoroughly reviewed your application and carefully considered your qualifications.
Although we are unable to provide you with a place in our incoming class, we want to acknowledge the effort you put into your application. We wish you the best as you continue your educational journey.
Regards,
[Admissions Committee]
Tip: Show appreciation for their consideration and the opportunity to apply. Inquire about the possibility of transferring in the future or attending a summer program to demonstrate your commitment to the institution.
Example #5
Dear [Applicant],
Your application was thoroughly reviewed, but we have decided not to offer you a place in our freshman class. We understand the disappointment this decision may bring, as we know you have worked hard to prepare for college.
Please do not let this outcome discourage you from pursuing your academic aspirations. We are confident that you will find success in your future endeavors, and we wish you the best of luck.
Sincerely,
[Admissions Committee]
Tip: Thank them for the thorough review of your application. Ask if they can provide any insights into what you could improve to strengthen your application for future admissions cycles.
Example #6
Dear [Applicant],
Thank you for applying to [University Name]. Despite your impressive achievements, we are unable to offer you admission due to the limited number of spaces available in our incoming class.
We had an exceptionally talented pool of applicants this year, and the admissions process was highly competitive. While we are unable to provide you with a place at our university, we encourage you to continue pursuing your goals and exploring other educational opportunities.
Best wishes,
[Admissions Committee]
Tip: Express gratitude for acknowledging your achievements. Ask about alternative programs or campuses within the university system that might have availability.
Example #7
Dear [Applicant],
We regret to inform you that your application for admission to [University Name] was not successful. Our admissions committee carefully evaluated your application, but we are unable to offer you a place in our incoming class.
We understand that this news may be disappointing, but we want to assure you that this decision was made after thorough consideration. We appreciate your interest in our university and the time you invested in applying.
We wish you success in your future academic pursuits.
Sincerely,
[Admissions Committee]
Tip: Thank them for the opportunity to apply and for notifying you of the decision. Consider asking for guidance on how to improve your application for the next admissions cycle.
Remember, a rejection letter is not a reflection of your worth or potential. Stay positive, explore alternative options, and continue pursuing your educational goals. Consider seeking guidance from your school counselor or a trusted mentor to help you navigate the college admissions process and find the right fit for you.
Can You Appeal a College Rejection?
What if you get rejected from every college you applied to? What is the best way to proceed after you’re denied admission everywhere? Well, another option is to appeal your rejections. But, whether or not you can appeal a college rejection depends on the school’s policy.
So, how do you appeal a school rejection letter? The first thing you should do is take some time to gather your thoughts and feelings: you don’t want to communicate with colleges when you’re angry or upset.
There is typically a timeframe in which you can appeal a college rejection letter, which varies by school. For example, UC Berkeley first-year applicants have four weeks to appeal, while transfer applicants have two weeks. These are the steps you should follow if you plan to appeal:
- Research the school’s appeal policy
- Plan to submit your appeal within the designated time limit
- Present factual, new evidence that positively impacts your candidacy (a higher GPA, updated test scores, new extracurriculars, etc.)
- Don’t come across as too defensive or accusatory
- Review your letter/materials carefully before you submit them
- Prepare for all possible outcomes
Ensure you check what the school asks for to appeal a rejection. For example, students appealing to UC Berkeley can write a 500-word letter. Don’t send anything extra that colleges don’t ask for.
Your chance of acceptance after appealing a rejection letter is challenging to gauge, but various estimates indicate you have a 1-2% chance of winning your appeal. If you have new information to provide your first choice school, it’s worth a shot!
FAQs: Dealing With a Rejection from College
If you received a rejection letter from a college and have more questions, check out these FAQs.
1. Do Colleges Give Rejection Letters?
Yes, colleges send rejection notices to students who weren’t admitted.
2. How Should You Respond When You Receive A Rejection Letter From A College?
How you deal with getting rejected from college is up to you. You can choose to appeal your rejection, take a gap year, accept an offer at another school, or apply to more schools if you have time.
3. Can I Ask a College Why I Was Rejected?
You could theoretically ask why you were rejected, but you’re likely to receive a generic response (or no response at all). We suggest directing your time and energy toward your next steps rather than lingering on why you weren’t selected.
4. Can You Reapply to a College After Getting Rejected?
You can reapply to colleges that rejected you in the next admissions cycle. Ensure you strengthen your application and edit it to perfection before submission.
Getting Into Your Dream College With Quad
Although it can be disappointing, don’t let a college rejection letter get you down. Take this time to consider all your options, improve your application, retake tests, and keep moving forward.
If you have more questions about how to get into college after receiving a rejection letter, speaking with a Quad Education admissions consultant can help provide you with the clarity you need. We’re passionate about helping students craft compelling applications: set up a call with us today to see how we can help!
