grad school rejection | my experience and lessons learned
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ม.ค. 2021
- As we are now in the part of the application cycle where application decisions are being made, I wanted to share my experience with getting rejected from 4 schools (including my dream school) and what I learned can really be behind the rejections.
I am currently a PhD student at The Ohio State University studying History
it sucks even more when you are an international student and get shortlisted almost everywhere knowing that the only thing that didn't grant you the position is were you where born. Still got accepted at 2 places at the end of the day, which brings me to the obvious advice: "Don't apply to places you wouldn't want to attend".
Cheers, from a newly admitted Math PhD student.
I'm so sorry to hear about all the shortlists, but glad you still got accepted somewhere - that's big! Congrats and good luck on your journey 😊
I got my first rejection letter this afternoon, and even though it was one I expected (mainly due to fit of the department), it is still really hard not to internalize that and take it personally. Thanks for making this video, it's such a good reminder at this time!
I'm so sorry to hear that 💗 It is really hard, and it took me a while to process, so allow yourself time to be sad - but at the end of the day remember it is not personal 💗💗
Rejection is fuel for my fire! As a grad student it comes with the territory, but it is worth it at the end of the day.
I love how real this video is 😫❤️ thank you for sharing your NYU experience in particular. Lots of love from a fellow 1st year PhD student (I’m in the Cultural Studies program at UC Davis)!
Not everything is all roses - it's so important to share the struggles too! 💗 Oh cultural studies, I love that! Always nice to meet fellow PhD students!
Honest, real. experiences help you grow.
good reminder it’s not always personal, you’re a great person.
Really needed to hear this after getting rejected from everywhere (I assume so after not hearing back after interviews). I resonate so much with the dark pit. Thank you so much 💞
How many applications did you make
Great lessons to take away during the application process season!
Thank you for this video. It was nice to hear a bit of realism but mostly it was really encouraging. It can’t have been easy to go through the struggle of questioning yourself based off of rejections and recognising it was out of your control.
Thanks for sharing. It is a reality check for those who under estimate the process. Rejection is redirection, but it can sting the same. Glad everything worked out for you 🙏🏾
thanks for being real. Grad school is a difficult process and it is nice to hear everyone's experiences both good and bad. love your vidz
Thanks for watching! Being open and transparent is so important to show people a variety of experiences!
Great video Katherine! It really helped to hear your story when I see people on grad cafe getting accepted from Ivy League schools left and right. I applied to 7 Biology PhD programs this year, interviews at 2, waitlisted at one and denied admission from the other. Trying to work through my emotions and self doubt and this definitely helped me!
Oof yeah grad cafe can be a very toxic place and was not good at all when I was applying!! Glad this video could help though, and I wish you the best as you continue on your academic journey!
Thank you for sharing this video!! I really needed to hear this!!
I needed this so bad. Found out a couple hours ago that I was rejected from my dream school for a masters degree and I now have to rethink literally the next two years. The most difficult thing to understand has been that I couldn't have made my application any better; it was the best it could be, and I was still rejected. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish all of us a lot of academic success in the future
I am so sorry to hear about your rejection. Glad this could help you a bit though
Me too.
Afew hours ago,I opened the email that will forever be among the worse I have ever received.
A rejection letter.I was at work,I remember,I really screamt a loud one..
I only found your channel today as I am in fact applying for History PhDs at the moment (although it's in medieval history and I think that's a little different from your field haha) so this is perfect! thank you! also, you're wonderful and I'm so happy I came across your videos!
Hi Ophelia, thanks for your kind words and for watching!! Medieval is a slightly different field indeed haha but the process is very similar and of course they are in the same department :) Best of luck on your applications!
Thanks. I needed to hear this!
I wish that I found this video when I got waitlisted then rejected at my dream school in April. I really questioned my self worth and I was so embarrassed that I had a hard time talking about the rejection for months. I fortunately got accepted to another grad program that I will begin in January. The rejection definitely made me more grateful for the acceptance that I got from the other program.
I just got rejected for a PhD from 4 schools. Everything you talked about resonated with me so much. And I thought I was all alone in this coz all you hear about always are the success stories. Thank you ❤
Your video literally inspired me a lot, I have been in this place. I was denied from my dream school in February 2021, I was completely heartbroken and had a really hard time keeping up myself, I am gonna re-apply this year again with positivity!!! Felt really great watching your video!!!! Thank you so much and all the best with your future goals
I'm so sorry to hear about that, but I'm glad that you are going to re-apply!!! Wish you the best 😊
@@KatherineWeiss thank you so much 😊
Thank you so much for this thoughtful video.
2022 applicant preparing for the onslaught of rejection. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I haven't been formally rejected yet, but I just had the same exact experience with Gradcafe. I applied to 6 programs and it seems I have already been turned down from 4 of them. Thanks for this - it's helped me get through the day.
I should have talked more about ~not~ using grad cafe because it was just a really toxic space for me and did not help me mentally at all. I'm sorry to hear that though. Wishing you the best of luck for the remaining applications!
This woman has a bind of beauty and brilliance...
I applied to four universities and the first two I heard back from were both rejects. It really hurt! A month later I got accepted to the university that was actually my first choice mostly because I had a great connection with the Prof who would then become my chief advisor. I think sometimes these applications can become a way of validating ourselves and our work subconsciously.
Thank you for this video
The same happened with me. I was put out with the university which sent me an admit just because of the application process mostly gre. Because none of the other uni had so many components. And still I am yet to receive more than 50% of the university responses. I luckily only applied to universities only after I was sure that I'll not be dejected going there.
This is quite captivating Kat. Love to hear ur reflections and how u overcame the self-worth doubt. U made it to Ohio, and u're doing good.
I'm an international student trying to go to masters programs in Canada. They require us to reach out to the supervisor before hand
I probably reached out to 20. Only one responded favorly.
I have an interview in January. If I get rejected I have no back up. Feeling v stressed
I hit the funding wall ! I had a wonderful series of conversations with a potential advisor and had high hopes. I received an email a few weeks ago and he told me that due to funding they were not taking applicants into the MA program. I originally had 5 schools on my list now down to 4.
Ah I'm sorry! Unfortunately I feel like this is happening more after Covid. Best of luck with your other 4!
@@KatherineWeiss Bonus, they did say they would refund the fee. Have not seen it yet but hopefully they will.
Thank you for this video. I hope you are doing well.
Got rejected from the University of Minnesota, Georgetown, and Maryland. Three days ago, I received a PhD admission offer to the College of Education at OSU. I am still waiting for funding though. I am also still waiting for answers from U of Arizona- Nevada, Reno- Umass Amherst- and Washington U.
Congratulations on your offer! Wishing you lots of good luck and vibes for the remaining applications 🥰
@@KatherineWeiss Thank you🙏
Thank you :)
should have watched this when I got my first rejection from Northwestern... I literally stayed at my place for three days not going out and it felt really dark... four schools to go...Thank you for sharing this! I also applied NYU but I haven't heard from them yet, do you know what time they usually release the decision?
"It was tough." I totally agree.
I can weep right now. 2022 English applicant and I can already see the avalanche of a heartache coming my way!
Not English, but 2022 applicant. I feel the same way. I think the way I'm helping myself is by watching the other videos too, like PhD decision reactions, how to choose between two or more schools where you have been accepted, just to balance it out. It's just important to know that either way, it's okay. ✨
@@sanghamitradeb232 we all know it's easier said than done and I am applying to only 5 places. So, I have no hopes at all. But all that money! And telling your letter writers about those rejections! Oh god!
@@blimey1107 I applied to five places too! 😅. I'm thinking of the money and trying to remain positive. All the best to you!
How i can Connect to you?
I applied to 6 and all turndowned.
The wait begins :-(
Could you make a video explaining how to determine what a"good fit" is? how to know if im a good fit for a department?
I think 'Fit' all comes down to advisor, the general culture of the department, and if they have the right resources to help you in your field of interest. If your research is on European History- for instance- your school should have at least three professors working on that field broadly
Thank you so much for this video! I'm currently in my third year of undergrad and I'll be applying for master's programs in history later this year. Was that experience as stressful or rigorous as applying for Ph.D.?
The MA application was very stressful and had a very similar process as the PhD! It was slightly lower stakes as it is obviously a shorter program though. I'll do a video soon on my experience applying for the MA and how I lobbied for more funding.
@@KatherineWeiss Ahhh everything seems so stressful haha
@@dylanmoucka165 haha it definitely can be - but you'll be fine! Just try and use any resources you can to help you through the process (friends, professors, admin staff at schools)
Could you please share why you think osu is a better fit for you compared to U of Michigan? I got into both schools for Chemistry and still thinking about it. In terms of the program, I like Michigan better and I love the professors there, but I prefer to live in Columbus and I don’t like the weather in Michigan. I don’t know what I should prioritize.
When I say "better fit" I meant for my situation specifically, in particular the professor I wanted to work with at OSU makes much more sense for my dissertation than anyone at Michigan. If you like Michigan better for the school, I would then ask which program do you have better funding. If you have better funding at Mich, that is something much more important than the weather in my opinion.
Please could someone who has an idea tell me about how much the possibility of being accepted as international student in Ph.D program in nursing in the U.S?
I'm sorry I am not familiar with the nursing field so I'm not able to help with admissions questions!
Hi! If you got rejected (Ph.D.) at places like Harvard, NYU, Yale, but got accepted to places like U of Virginia, UNC Chapel Hill and UT Austin, what would you do? Do you think it's worthwhile to decline these acceptances and try again next year for places like Harvard, or it's not worth it?
I think it should not be based on "Ivy League" distinction vs. other. What is most important is understanding if the places you were accepted to are the right fit - in terms of advisor, research, and $$. If you feel one of the others is a good fit, why wait to apply again?
when did you receive the call for phd interview for Ohio state university? I mean after how many weeks of submitting your application.
I never had an interview. I spoke with my now advisor during the application process, but there were no formal interviews for my specific department.
Well, I just got rejected from Chicago University. 5 more Universities to go and I am already wondering how much it would hurt to read more of those you're are not accepted emails.
It can be tough, but I hope you make it through ❤
Any update?
@@dili_m I got rejected by the entire 5 Universities I applied to and currently, I am admitted to depression and low self-esteem. I am a failure and I am useless.
Nice video...
Is there reasons you picked those five schools? I see so many programs in my academic field, knowing how expensive the applications are etc., how did you boil down those programs specifically? I have heard things such as research fields and connections, but is there something else you might know of to lessen the amount of applications? I just worry that I will not be accepted to any if I apply to 'not enough', then being left without a plan. Awesome video btw! Thank you for being so honest :)
I picked these based on specific professors I thought I could work with, the quality of the school, funding, as well as research opportunities. I would suggest applying to around 5-7 schools to give yourself options, and open it up for competitive funding. I only got accepted to 1/5.
does prior research experience required to get into PhD?
It is not necessarily required, but likely will help your applications!
My second acceptance came in last night. Once again no funding available! 6 applications left to go! Hopefully at least one will be a yes with funding.
Ah good luck! You got this!
Grad school sucks ass, turn away now
four years in! No going back now!
Phone number???