I have been rejected twice, despite having over a decade of research experience in my field. It led me to pursue a different institution and I am now very happy about not getting accepted into my initial choices. The feeling sucks, but good luck with using this disappointment as motivation for new achievements!
Hi Ruby! Always happy to see you, even if you're in Robin's channel. Thanks for all the years of content. Keep Learning Hermione, er, I mean Ruby Granger!
Getting into a PhD depends on so many factors other than how good you are. There needs to be a match between you, the propsed work, the Department, and the university. Most importantly, there needs to be the funding. Keep applying elsewhere if you really want it.
During a Phd you just have to meet specific conditions but once you do then it's plain sailing. 1:Chose a topic that is doable. Don't be ambitious and try research on a topic whereby there isn't data to support your hypothesis if it's social science or you don't have research funding or equipment to carry out experiments. Chose something that can be answered or explored. so determine a question that can yield results. 2: Understand that trial and error is the process. It is not an exception but part of the process, failiure isn't some big bad but part of the process 3: learn asymmetrical thinking and doing. If for example you are a scientist and the machines you want to use that specific day or week is out of service for what ever reason, use that time to do something else that you need to do and doesn't require those machines. Don't get frustrated and waste your time. 4: Also do your research and learn about the topic really well buy reading research papers and figure out how the people in that field report data and findings... 5: Write and publish in peer reviewed journals at least two papers. This helps so that your examiner at the end can't really fail you if you published since you would naturally have had introduced some novelty in the field that was peer reviewed. 6: enjoy your self and that's all.
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@@KAIZORIANEMPIRE Thank you for sharing, I am currently looking for a program, it is very hard to find one suitable for my study plan without being very hard to get in, I do not want to waste my time in low-rank college or not suitable for my plan just to do a PhD
Thank you for sharing this. I'm a PhD student and as you have said, funding is such a big part of academia. Ultimately that ends up creating the competitive atmosphere and takes away from the idea of innovation and collaboration. In most cases it takes away from ideas that, in my opinion, have so much potential. I still would love to see the niche videos. It gives the opportunity to admire the effort and mind that comes from you, which is inspiring. Lastly, your videos and your words carry impact and meaning with or without a PhD. I've learned that a PhD is someone elses thoughts on your own ideas. In most cases these individuals lack the ability to understand other thoughts because of their innability to leave their world and explore someone elses world. Your desire to share and connect is, in my opinion, what leads to the biggest growth. Again thank you for sharing and inspiring!
… is it ever conceivable that someone is not good enough?! No shame in that. Oh a plumber wrecked my sink last week but maybe I don’t have the right to say that because that’s my thoughts and perceptions about the water on the floor.
@ProfessorFiore Did you ask a question about the water on the floor and how many answers did you get. Were any of them more questions. Who do you ask these questions to or do you just look in disbelief. Thinking goes beyond your limitations, as well as connection
To go beyond the metaphor we’re torturing, my supervisors at Oxford asked 100s of questions throughout my PhD journey and often they showed in thoughtful and rigorous ways the many times my thinking was shallow or uninformed. I learned from that. I didnt immediately wonder if they were biased but the temptation was strong to do so. Even when they WERE demonstrably wrong or biased I trusted the process because guess what - the vast majority of people in the academia do mean well. Apart from the obvious pressures of politics and the urge to be lazy, both as scholars and mentors, we are trying. The first impulse shouldn’t be defensiveness and grievance.
Yeah totally want to be supportive. Teachers usually are! It’s when we try to help by providing feedback and the standards people crave and then get stereotyped and trolled for doing exactly that - that’s what’s frustrating.
Just wanted to say that I appreciate you. I am a middle aged woman with no degrees but with a deep love for literature and I'm very grateful for your channel. So thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience, you are truly a generous person. All the best for your future, which I'm sure will be bright.
Bro your career has already evolved beyond the conventions of the old institutions. Perhaps this was how it was always destined to be. Maybe this is truly for the better!
I'm excited for the path you are taking and for us, who will be walking along with you! I earned my PhD in 1986 and subsequently left a prestigious research position in 1997 to pursue my true passion. This decision resulted in a significant reduction in income, and my academic credentials were largely unrecognized. I have no regrets. I've dedicated the last 25 years to doing what I love on my terms. While I understand the initial disappointment, I'm certain your happiness and fulfillment will go beyond the limitations of a constraining PhD program.
I got rejected from a phd, and then also life redirected me other ways when i was preparing to try again. And honestly it was the best thing that ever happened to me because like you I enjoy sharing things I learn with others, and it has empowered me to find other ways to build education and community. I think you offer education in a way that empowers people in a way that modern academia doesn’t. I know that your videos led me to checking out Byung-Chul Han , for which I’m super grateful. I look forward to continuing to enjoy your content.
It is a blessing! Your channel is such a unique asset, a resource many academics wish they had! This community you’ve built is priceless. I’m excited for this new chapter, good luck ❤️
Last year I was rejected from the MA program I really wanted to get into. It hurt for a couple of days, but then I decided a redirection was necessary. I immensely about current curriculum and how it doesn’t seem to be reaching our students enough, myself included as an undergrad in 2019. This has lead me to a different approach through learning design and technology. Ultimately, the goal is to teach literature in an online space and encourage that curiosity to learn on your own and that literature should be more widely accessible. Thanks for being an inspiration, Robin! And good luck to you on your path.
Sorry to hear about your rejection. However, your enthusiasm for reading and writing is infectious, and I look forward to watching more of your content.
It has been quite a bumpy ride for me as well trying to apply to around 60 positions (both PhD and Research fellow) and only got 6 interviews in total, and that was reduced to only one fellowship offer, which I received around a month ago. I know trying to land a position in academia is tough and mentally exhausting, and I wish I had known about this whole situation of constant vicissitudes when I decided to join this crazy, cut-throat race. And I wish someone had told me about their failures as well, so that I could have managed my own expectation better. All I want to say is just keep yourself on track, don’t let anything or anyone get in your way and you will see very soon the results of all of your endeavors. All the best!!!
I've been watching you for YEARS, Robin. I'm also a subsriber to your Substack, and I'm also a fellow English Literature undergrad. I've loved watching your content. I truly enjoy how you make your content digestable and understandble for all. Your content is like a warm fire during the dull winter for me; it keeps me entertaiend and satsified. I am greatly looking forward to your future videos. Thanks so much for always working so hard!
Competition and funding make tenure track pursuits extremely difficult to attain. You have outstanding character and intellect. Thanks. Have inspirational, great year!
Can’t image how much effort you put into this channel. I think it is a brilliant channel and I’m very appreciated you’ve been doing this for years. When I was applying my PhD program, I was rejected so many times I don’t even remember the exact number. Keep it going and you’ll get one.
I was rejected from my MSc program and went on to later get accepted. My PhD was miserable every single day. In retrospect I never should have done it. I don't even work in that field anymore. It sucks when you get the rejection, for like 10min, as you said. But there is much more important stuff waiting for you. I completely forget I even did a PhD and it's confusing when people call me 'Dr'.
Rejection is the most common experience with a PhD. I am happy to see that you did not get it too bad. I believe I am at the tenth rejection. For the last one, I had a lot of publications, academic support, and all that jazz. Still, another candidate was preferred: lower numbers, less publications, and still utplayed me. Just go on and keep trying. How dares wins.
"I am an undergraduate student of English Literature and Linguistics. Our teachers ridiculed us for not reading novels, yet they never asked or taught us how to read long books. However, you explained that this is a dilemma of the modern age and taught us how to approach reading. I never knew these insights before. By sharing your perspectives on the psychological, technological, and other reasons why students struggle to read, as well as when and how to read effectively, you have transformed my understanding. Now, my mission is to share your video links with my classmates every day, and they are grateful to me for introducing you to them."
Sorry that academe closed itself to you, at least in that one place and for now. I know it hurts. As a 71 year old woman with a PhD who has finished an academic career. I love how you are saying “share what I learned with you guys.” At first I wanted to publish, but then I thought deeply about it. I looked at how research and publication might touch society, if at all. I got a job at a community college where I could teach 5 classes each semester, and focused heavily on service learning and community building. I never looked back. I think of all the hearts and minds that I was privileged to touch. I learned that community is an always-changing, living cooperative that must constantly be built and rebuilt. I learned that love looks has many faces and it’s the most important thing that we can give and share. Good luck to you. You are wise enough to know what you need to do and where you need to be at any particular time.
Being 20 days away from a PhD entrance exam (our educational system is a bit different); this video was all I needed. Really glad to meet such an inspiring person like you in this time of my life, and hope to see you thrive! Good luck!
Excited to see where you go next. I've never been able to afford anything beyond my two years of journalism college so... while I do envy you being able to attend lecture and the books at your disposal I do not envy at all the academic and tenure rat race. Many of my friends (pre and post doctoral!) lament the system. Even those actively working at great uni's wish they'd just gone their own way a decade ago (indeed, the only one I know that is happy is a Journalism professor, the rest are English). So, I'm grateful for every video you bring us and am happy to hear you have a healthy and realistic outook here.
Appreciate your work and like many others have said rejection is redirection. I really struggle with writing/reading but your videos give me hope that I can get better. Looking forward to your future content!
I love how you've kind of made it your mission to make literature accessible to everyone. As a fellow literature student, I love how you represent literature.
really glad to see you crytsallize your purpose after this rejection, if anything i can see that learning to write has helped your handle this really well
This is my fear, I'm about to apply for 2025 in different italian uni and I'm so scared of not getting in. I'm working on improving my CV points by publishing papers and getting new language certificates bc I start disadvantaged (I didn't graduated with the maximum so I'm behind other students who did). I really hope the points for my research project will make up for my cv and let me access the in person meeting.
As someone who recently realised that academia may not be the path for them, I'm so glad you shared this chapter of your life with us! It's honestly refreshing to hear somebody else speak this out loud. Excited for what the future holds for you Robin!
I really get inspired by these videos to help my ESL pre-academic students already work on their academic skills. So, this news is great to hear :). And perhaps you get better PhD opportunities in the future? That would be a win/win.
Love that there are people like you in this world an on TH-cam! Good to hear that the rejection felt right in the end. Im studying to become a librarian and I think I have kind of a similar mission, not nessescarily through this platform, but I want to inspire people to read and share ideas in my community. I think thats a nice goal to have in life
I got rejected for 6 years straight 🌈👾 I got in two years ago, in the best possible program, with my own project. I could not be happier. Of course I did other stuff at the same time. The time out helped me to realize not only how much I love research, but what kind of research I want to do. I am happy to hear that you have decided to focus on your TH-cam channel, but in general, if you ever felt the call of academia again, don't let yourself be put down by one rejection 🌟
As someone who also did not do a PhD because of schedules not aligning and funds not working out I wish you a lot of success on this new path. Not going into research was the best thing happening to me in hindsight. I am sure it will be the same for you :)
Hey I’m almost in the exact same boat, I applied to an industrial PhD with the company I’m working for, in the subject I’m working in, in alignment with the funding requirements. my boss is on board, professor is on board, and the whole team has been assembled, and still got rejected for funding without receiving a reason for rejection… no one understands why. But I relate to you so much, at the end of the day I still have a job I love, able to explore ideas on my small TH-cam channel, having meaningful connections with like minded people, these are so important! And just keep doing it!
I’m so glad to see your perspective; that’s such a rare outlook it seems nowadays. I’ve always loved reading, it was my constant companion as my health wasn’t so good growing up. Even now I still love it and research, I’ve spent many years writing poetry and I love to see how those skills have grown. I’m now a teacher to students I can pass that on too, and as a lover of music I wish to take my writings and make them into my own composed music. People have asked me for many years if I have a PhD and I never understood why; apparently if you know a lot of information people assume you have degrees whereas I have none, I’m just well read and love research. Looking forward to see what you do in the future!
I’m a 78 year old English major, voracious reader, and lastly a clinical psychologist. I’m still so in love with good writing and thinking. You make me more hopeful that young people are not all in the black hole of virtual reality.
I am on the process of applying for a PhD this cycle and I felt like I really needed this. Completely different background, different career field and different program, but your video speaks so true to the wisdom of teaching - is to continue to give back from what you have learned. Thank you, as I know a bit more about myself in the future.
They're missing out, but if there is anyone I believe in to contribute meaningful knowledge to the world, it's you. You've got this - whether it's in this PhD program, a different one, or a completely different route. We're all rooting for you, keep your chin up!
Hope in dark times.... Good on you Robin. I follow you because you are a modest and bright guy. And there's nothing more hopeful than a modest but serious academic! We need more of you!
I am not a man of faith, but too often fate seems to have given me either just what I needed or exactly what I truely asked for but in a twisted ironic way. From these experiences I have learned the true meaning of "amor fati". A blessing in disguise is Absolutely what this was. I am here for your journey. Congratulations on this new turn.
Aw, I’m so sorry ): truly, thank you for sharing this and being vulnerable! Talking about this topic can help others who have gone through rejection from degrees feel less alone!❤
I remember sighing in great relief after getting rejected for an internship I was eying for the last few months... I can now finally focus on other important things this year that seem more useful to me.
I really relate to the way you're handling this rejection! Sometimes meeting a wall, whatever form that wall takes, turns out to be what it takes to start a new chapter and send you on a new and better path.
I admire your attitude to the rejection. It shows that your degree did it's job, to learn how to learn, and have the wisdom to apply that knowledge to your life and to teach others.Good luck. BTW I am 78 and a lifetime learner..
To Oxford!!! Excellent news❤❤❤ By the way, you have given the rejection a meaning, that is very wise of you. I thank you for this amazing and inspiring content. Bravo!
I am so sorry about the rejection but this may be the best thing to have happened to you atm, the break is well needed and you can always reapply. Excited for your journey ahead
Every Instituition and doctoral program is unique, and most have very few slots for new people, so your rejection could have been the result of any number of things. I was rejected by several programs before I ended up on the waitlist for one that had 4 openings. One of the accepted people pulled out, so they notified me. It ended up being the perfect program for my needs, and it led to a wonderful career. Keep at it. By the way, as a former department chair, I assure you that the best teachers don't sit and lecture from a poslition of comfort and privilege.
Hey Robin, it was great hearing your life update. I appreciate getting to know what part of your journey in academia you are on. As someone who also strives to be in that environment, it’s really refreshing to hear how you deal with rejection and competition. I think ultimately, you really did take the right lessons out of this and it sounds like this was one of those good twists of fate. :)
About a few months ago I was exactly where you are. I always had the goal of doing a phd, but in the process of writing my masters thesis I noticed that I do not really want to work academically. I remember throwing Wordsworth across the room because I so much hated the way in which academia treats literature. Poor guy did not even have anything to do with the topic :D I really enjoy my decision. The way that I read has completely changed for the better. I much more enjoy literature for its own sake and not as material for cultural analysis. It really offered me a new way to appreciate it.
You're a hero, Robin! This is one of my favorite youtube channels for the way you view the world and the way you express your goals! Best of luck in your next chapters in life xD
In my industry all phDs are self funded. A bummer for sure. But it does make for a better range of projects because people have more control over what they study as the institution has less influence. It’s more between the applicant and supervisor.
This rejection may not be quite the disaster it appears to be. Before I started, my proposed supervisor stopped me in the corridor and said, ‘I just wanted to ask - do you know what ‘PhD’ stands for? I said no, voice leaden with suspicion. ‘Permanent head Damage’, he said. He wasn’t wrong. I got through, but at a price. You were probably up against it. Engineers and science guys get the lion’s share of PhD funding. They work as part of teams of 6-8 on a big project. It would also have helped to have had some academic publications before you applied. That really tough for an Honours student. They also like you to have proved yourself by having written a Masters thesis first. My supervisor refused to let me do my PhD until I’d done so first. Good luck!👍
Not surprised you got over it fast, and I believe it's not cope because that really defeated feeling of regret only effects people when they half donkey it or don't try period. It's the waste of potential that lingers. No one can lie to the inner critique. If you manage during the process, he'll tell you at the end.
Thanks for sharing. I'm excited to see what you do with your future and look forward to learning along the way. Thanks for showing us how to make rejection just a different road to follow.
Your reframing is fantastic, and the new and old goals are even more intriguing than sitting in an ivory tower. I’m looking forward to watching your new results and videos. The time for academia will come someday, if you will still want to try it out, but just because you truly deserve it.
A veteran masters and PhD of the University of Sydney here got PhD in 2012, now working as a freelance job and enjoying life outside academia. I had to make a pact with my phd advisor then that I would acquire HD in my treatise and all units. Nearly got mad literally during the transition period. Did it, got accepted but had to switch main and co advisor. I think for me it's just proof that I can do it despite not being very intelligent and those are for my parents who could never afford the higher education. Long story short, a PhD is nice and a great experience, but just another chapter for me. Wish you best of luck ✨️✨️✨️
I've found myself in a similar position where academia was the goal but soon realised it's simply not an environment I wish to be a part of. The idea of it is great, but when you realise how many hoops you have to jump through, and that most of the time the fruits of your labour are actually tailored towards securing more funding instead of pursuing novel ideas, it quickly loses its enchantment. You already have a huge audience you can educate. You have a tremendous opportunity and, arguably, will make a greater impact through this channel than you would in university.
The goal you've set for your further development trajectory is great! To my mind, you are already successful as a content creator popularizing and explaining literature and literary studies. I am sure the things you are going to do will be amazing and will also empower your profile, so you will get into to any PhD programme of your choice. I wish you a lot of inspiration and luck on your path! I will stay tuned!
I was rejected by two programs before getting into one several years later. It all comes down to whether you can find an advisor that wants to work with you or that can take you on. Seek them out first before applying. If you want to get into a program you will eventually. You obviously have the ability.
Just a note to everyone, if you are applying for graduate school your only letters references should come from academics you have taken courses with who work in the same field to which you are applying. Second best is scholars you studied with from an adjacent field. If you choose anyone else for your letters, you'll probably get rejected.
To be honest, knowing the Australian system myself… They tend to reject people for PhDs so that you will go and spend money on a master's degree… PhDs are usually funded whereas Masters are out of pocket unless you get a scholarship or it’s one of these rare funded research Masters… At least that’s my experience…
Also, at this level of academia, success has very little to do with academic performance and innovation but rather everything to do with politics. Unfortunately…
I'm so excited for this next chapter for you! I watched your channel while I was studying creative writing in college, but I haven't in a few years. I'm going to start following along!
I started on my PhD earlier this year, but because the University and the department suck, I quit and it was the best decision I could've made. I realized that I never actually wanted to write my PhD and just did it, because I thought I had to. But boyyyy did it feel good to get out of academia.
Might be weird to say, but given the context, congratulations on your rejection! It sounds like this is giving you some incredible opportunities for growth, exploration and to live a life with potentially richer layers than what a doctorate program could offer you rn. Congratulations and good luck!!! 🎉💛
PHDs are hyper selective, even more so than in times past. My friend was rejected from all his prospects even though he has a decade of experience in Ivy league academia, great references, and co-authored numerous published studies. He’s decided not pursue a PHD at this point and moved into the private sector
I know you've succesfully regulate your feeling and move on. But for this time, let me cry for you. You deserve all the successes in your journey, truly 😢
Yeah, there's so much behind PhD admissions depending on university needs; it's basically a job you're applying for (I'm sure you know this) but it's great you're in good spirits about it and ready to continue down your path!
A weird congratulations to you, I guess! Glad you’re here. I’ve put a lot of stuff in my commonplace book I got from you-and I’ve cited you in a couple papers I did for my master’s. Figured now was as good a time as ever to tell you!
I just saw this video and i think the title is miss leading. From watching the video i now get the context that you didn't get into a Phd program, not that you failed to continue the program that you were already in. This is a big difference. Being rejected from a program is normal lol. Keep applying. From life you should know that failing to get in is how things are.. lol.
Bro, I got rejected from 6/8 of the schools I applied to for my masters, and was probationary in the first year of my PhD program at the school I got my masters in. It’s hard, and that doesn’t mean toooo much. Also, graduate school in the arts ident always the best way to do the work you want. Most of the artists whose work we study at universities, are not in academia. So, these programmes have a lot of soul-searching to do anyway. They make things for each other, not for people in the actual world.
Gosh, this video came at the right time for me. I also just got rejected for a government funded scholarship in a well-known university outside my country. I was shortlisted, had amazing references and experiences, and the school loved me (well atleast the person who interviewed me did). But ultimately, the grant giver, aka the government, didn't select me out of the shortlist. I felt depressedf or around 20-30 mins and afterwards, it was out of my system. I expected it to debilitate me longer than it did. Perhaps, it was emotional maturity? Haha! But I'm also exploring other schools now :) Thank you for sharing your experience. Best of luck to you!
Robin, this is just false positivity bull**** and you know it. Allow yourself to be disappointed. It is ok. I am glad you can find inspiration in your TH-cam work to move forward, and you nail it like hell , so don’t get me wrong, it is awesome. But don’t feel embarrassed to be crushed for a while. Give it time. Grieving a lost opportunity is normal and you are great - rejected or not - without the sugarcoating. I root for you.
It's sad to hear but rejection is redirection. Happy to see you hopeful and cheerful for what comes next ❤ Much love to you
That love is well received!
@RCWaldun "love"
PhD is useless!!!!! Get a rich boyfriend or husband and you will never have to work again!!!!!!!!!
I have been rejected twice, despite having over a decade of research experience in my field. It led me to pursue a different institution and I am now very happy about not getting accepted into my initial choices. The feeling sucks, but good luck with using this disappointment as motivation for new achievements!
I am so excited for this chapter of your life, Robin. As always, there is so much wisdom embedded into this video.
Thanks Ruby! You were one of the people who inspired me to start my channel 8 years ago! Excited to hang out in Oxford :))
Hi Ruby! Always happy to see you, even if you're in Robin's channel. Thanks for all the years of content. Keep Learning Hermione, er, I mean Ruby Granger!
Getting into a PhD depends on so many factors other than how good you are. There needs to be a match between you, the propsed work, the Department, and the university. Most importantly, there needs to be the funding. Keep applying elsewhere if you really want it.
phd are soo easy lol listerally i found high school the hardest everything was plane sailing and i did it in physics
@@KAIZORIANEMPIRE can you tell us more about the experience? why you think that
During a Phd you just have to meet specific conditions but once you do then it's plain sailing.
1:Chose a topic that is doable. Don't be ambitious and try research on a topic whereby there isn't data to support your hypothesis if it's social science or you don't have research funding or equipment to carry out experiments. Chose something that can be answered or explored. so determine a question that can yield results.
2: Understand that trial and error is the process. It is not an exception but part of the process, failiure isn't some big bad but part of the process
3: learn asymmetrical thinking and doing. If for example you are a scientist and the machines you want to use that specific day or week is out of service for what ever reason, use that time to do something else that you need to do and doesn't require those machines. Don't get frustrated and waste your time.
4: Also do your research and learn about the topic really well buy reading research papers and figure out how the people in that field report data and findings...
5: Write and publish in peer reviewed journals at least two papers. This helps so that your examiner at the end can't really fail you if you published since you would naturally have had introduced some novelty in the field that was peer reviewed.
6: enjoy your self and that's all.
@@KAIZORIANEMPIRE Thank you for sharing, I am currently looking for a program, it is very hard to find one suitable for my study plan without being very hard to get in, I do not want to waste my time in low-rank college or not suitable for my plan just to do a PhD
Never mind the rejection Robin, you're still brilliant and inspiring. Keep going 💪
You guys are the reasons why I'm still doing what I do. :)
Love what you do , man! I love the niche vids as well btw. .
Thank you for sharing this. I'm a PhD student and as you have said, funding is such a big part of academia. Ultimately that ends up creating the competitive atmosphere and takes away from the idea of innovation and collaboration. In most cases it takes away from ideas that, in my opinion, have so much potential. I still would love to see the niche videos. It gives the opportunity to admire the effort and mind that comes from you, which is inspiring. Lastly, your videos and your words carry impact and meaning with or without a PhD. I've learned that a PhD is someone elses thoughts on your own ideas. In most cases these individuals lack the ability to understand other thoughts because of their innability to leave their world and explore someone elses world. Your desire to share and connect is, in my opinion, what leads to the biggest growth. Again thank you for sharing and inspiring!
… is it ever conceivable that someone is not good enough?! No shame in that. Oh a plumber wrecked my sink last week but maybe I don’t have the right to say that because that’s my thoughts and perceptions about the water on the floor.
@ProfessorFiore Did you ask a question about the water on the floor and how many answers did you get. Were any of them more questions. Who do you ask these questions to or do you just look in disbelief. Thinking goes beyond your limitations, as well as connection
To go beyond the metaphor we’re torturing, my supervisors at Oxford asked 100s of questions throughout my PhD journey and often they showed in thoughtful and rigorous ways the many times my thinking was shallow or uninformed. I learned from that. I didnt immediately wonder if they were biased but the temptation was strong to do so. Even when they WERE demonstrably wrong or biased I trusted the process because guess what - the vast majority of people in the academia do mean well. Apart from the obvious pressures of politics and the urge to be lazy, both as scholars and mentors, we are trying. The first impulse shouldn’t be defensiveness and grievance.
@@ProfessorFiore yeah it's fine to not be too serious or too sad about rejection, but this comment section is taking it too far in the other direction
Yeah totally want to be supportive. Teachers usually are! It’s when we try to help by providing feedback and the standards people crave and then get stereotyped and trolled for doing exactly that - that’s what’s frustrating.
Just wanted to say that I appreciate you. I am a middle aged woman with no degrees but with a deep love for literature and I'm very grateful for your channel. So thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience, you are truly a generous person. All the best for your future, which I'm sure will be bright.
University of Melbourne's lost. You are amazing, and keep doing what you doing, your sincerity shines through and I enjoyed a lot of your content.
wat
Bro your career has already evolved beyond the conventions of the old institutions. Perhaps this was how it was always destined to be. Maybe this is truly for the better!
I'm excited for the path you are taking and for us, who will be walking along with you! I earned my PhD in 1986 and subsequently left a prestigious research position in 1997 to pursue my true passion. This decision resulted in a significant reduction in income, and my academic credentials were largely unrecognized. I have no regrets. I've dedicated the last 25 years to doing what I love on my terms. While I understand the initial disappointment, I'm certain your happiness and fulfillment will go beyond the limitations of a constraining PhD program.
Yep, I left my PhD in the last throws of effort to have my family and shift career. Ended up becoming a diesel mechanic and love my trade.
I got rejected from a phd, and then also life redirected me other ways when i was preparing to try again.
And honestly it was the best thing that ever happened to me because like you I enjoy sharing things I learn with others, and it has empowered me to find other ways to build education and community.
I think you offer education in a way that empowers people in a way that modern academia doesn’t. I know that your videos led me to checking out Byung-Chul Han , for which I’m super grateful.
I look forward to continuing to enjoy your content.
It is a blessing! Your channel is such a unique asset, a resource many academics wish they had! This community you’ve built is priceless. I’m excited for this new chapter, good luck ❤️
🎯
Last year I was rejected from the MA program I really wanted to get into. It hurt for a couple of days, but then I decided a redirection was necessary. I immensely about current curriculum and how it doesn’t seem to be reaching our students enough, myself included as an undergrad in 2019. This has lead me to a different approach through learning design and technology. Ultimately, the goal is to teach literature in an online space and encourage that curiosity to learn on your own and that literature should be more widely accessible. Thanks for being an inspiration, Robin! And good luck to you on your path.
Sorry to hear about your rejection. However, your enthusiasm for reading and writing is infectious, and I look forward to watching more of your content.
It has been quite a bumpy ride for me as well trying to apply to around 60 positions (both PhD and Research fellow) and only got 6 interviews in total, and that was reduced to only one fellowship offer, which I received around a month ago. I know trying to land a position in academia is tough and mentally exhausting, and I wish I had known about this whole situation of constant vicissitudes when I decided to join this crazy, cut-throat race. And I wish someone had told me about their failures as well, so that I could have managed my own expectation better. All I want to say is just keep yourself on track, don’t let anything or anyone get in your way and you will see very soon the results of all of your endeavors. All the best!!!
I've been watching you for YEARS, Robin. I'm also a subsriber to your Substack, and I'm also a fellow English Literature undergrad.
I've loved watching your content. I truly enjoy how you make your content digestable and understandble for all. Your content is like a warm fire during the dull winter for me; it keeps me entertaiend and satsified.
I am greatly looking forward to your future videos. Thanks so much for always working so hard!
Competition and funding make tenure track pursuits extremely difficult to attain. You have outstanding character and intellect. Thanks. Have inspirational, great year!
Can’t image how much effort you put into this channel. I think it is a brilliant channel and I’m very appreciated you’ve been doing this for years.
When I was applying my PhD program, I was rejected so many times I don’t even remember the exact number. Keep it going and you’ll get one.
I was rejected from my MSc program and went on to later get accepted. My PhD was miserable every single day. In retrospect I never should have done it. I don't even work in that field anymore. It sucks when you get the rejection, for like 10min, as you said. But there is much more important stuff waiting for you. I completely forget I even did a PhD and it's confusing when people call me 'Dr'.
Your attitude is inspiring!
It’s okay man. I small blimp in your life. I’ve gotten rejected a handful of times and landed my dream job. Keep at it.
Rejection is the most common experience with a PhD. I am happy to see that you did not get it too bad. I believe I am at the tenth rejection. For the last one, I had a lot of publications, academic support, and all that jazz. Still, another candidate was preferred: lower numbers, less publications, and still utplayed me. Just go on and keep trying. How dares wins.
Sometimes people who are not as good as you get selected because they have connections in the academia. I hope you get selected for PhD . All the best
"I am an undergraduate student of English Literature and Linguistics. Our teachers ridiculed us for not reading novels, yet they never asked or taught us how to read long books. However, you explained that this is a dilemma of the modern age and taught us how to approach reading. I never knew these insights before. By sharing your perspectives on the psychological, technological, and other reasons why students struggle to read, as well as when and how to read effectively, you have transformed my understanding.
Now, my mission is to share your video links with my classmates every day, and they are grateful to me for introducing you to them."
Sorry that academe closed itself to you, at least in that one place and for now. I know it hurts. As a 71 year old woman with a PhD who has finished an academic career. I love how you are saying “share what I learned with you guys.” At first I wanted to publish, but then I thought deeply about it. I looked at how research and publication might touch society, if at all. I got a job at a community college where I could teach 5 classes each semester, and focused heavily on service learning and community building. I never looked back. I think of all the hearts and minds that I was privileged to touch. I learned that community is an always-changing, living cooperative that must constantly be built and rebuilt. I learned that love looks has many faces and it’s the most important thing that we can give and share. Good luck to you. You are wise enough to know what you need to do and where you need to be at any particular time.
Being 20 days away from a PhD entrance exam (our educational system is a bit different); this video was all I needed. Really glad to meet such an inspiring person like you in this time of my life, and hope to see you thrive! Good luck!
Excited to see where you go next. I've never been able to afford anything beyond my two years of journalism college so... while I do envy you being able to attend lecture and the books at your disposal I do not envy at all the academic and tenure rat race. Many of my friends (pre and post doctoral!) lament the system. Even those actively working at great uni's wish they'd just gone their own way a decade ago (indeed, the only one I know that is happy is a Journalism professor, the rest are English). So, I'm grateful for every video you bring us and am happy to hear you have a healthy and realistic outook here.
So proud of you for seeing a door close as a way to find another path - super excited for the things you are going to share. Thank you
Appreciate your work and like many others have said rejection is redirection. I really struggle with writing/reading but your videos give me hope that I can get better. Looking forward to your future content!
Hearing you say where your priorities are landing after this turn of events is great to hear. We'll stick by ya Robin
I love how you've kind of made it your mission to make literature accessible to everyone. As a fellow literature student, I love how you represent literature.
Thank you for sharing your experience so openly, Robin. Many great things ahead of you!
really glad to see you crytsallize your purpose after this rejection, if anything i can see that learning to write has helped your handle this really well
This is my fear, I'm about to apply for 2025 in different italian uni and I'm so scared of not getting in. I'm working on improving my CV points by publishing papers and getting new language certificates bc I start disadvantaged (I didn't graduated with the maximum so I'm behind other students who did). I really hope the points for my research project will make up for my cv and let me access the in person meeting.
As someone who recently realised that academia may not be the path for them, I'm so glad you shared this chapter of your life with us! It's honestly refreshing to hear somebody else speak this out loud. Excited for what the future holds for you Robin!
I really get inspired by these videos to help my ESL pre-academic students already work on their academic skills. So, this news is great to hear :).
And perhaps you get better PhD opportunities in the future? That would be a win/win.
Love that there are people like you in this world an on TH-cam! Good to hear that the rejection felt right in the end.
Im studying to become a librarian and I think I have kind of a similar mission, not nessescarily through this platform, but I want to inspire people to read and share ideas in my community. I think thats a nice goal to have in life
I got rejected for 6 years straight 🌈👾 I got in two years ago, in the best possible program, with my own project. I could not be happier.
Of course I did other stuff at the same time. The time out helped me to realize not only how much I love research, but what kind of research I want to do. I am happy to hear that you have decided to focus on your TH-cam channel, but in general, if you ever felt the call of academia again, don't let yourself be put down by one rejection 🌟
Excited to come along with you as you enter this next phase.
As someone who also did not do a PhD because of schedules not aligning and funds not working out I wish you a lot of success on this new path. Not going into research was the best thing happening to me in hindsight. I am sure it will be the same for you :)
Hey I’m almost in the exact same boat, I applied to an industrial PhD with the company I’m working for, in the subject I’m working in, in alignment with the funding requirements. my boss is on board, professor is on board, and the whole team has been assembled, and still got rejected for funding without receiving a reason for rejection… no one understands why. But I relate to you so much, at the end of the day I still have a job I love, able to explore ideas on my small TH-cam channel, having meaningful connections with like minded people, these are so important! And just keep doing it!
I’m so glad to see your perspective; that’s such a rare outlook it seems nowadays. I’ve always loved reading, it was my constant companion as my health wasn’t so good growing up. Even now I still love it and research, I’ve spent many years writing poetry and I love to see how those skills have grown. I’m now a teacher to students I can pass that on too, and as a lover of music I wish to take my writings and make them into my own composed music. People have asked me for many years if I have a PhD and I never understood why; apparently if you know a lot of information people assume you have degrees whereas I have none, I’m just well read and love research.
Looking forward to see what you do in the future!
I’m a 78 year old English major, voracious reader, and lastly a clinical psychologist. I’m still so in love with good writing and thinking. You make me more hopeful that young people are not all in the black hole of virtual reality.
I'm learning that rejection is always redirection, I'm so excited for this new journey you're about to embark on!
I am on the process of applying for a PhD this cycle and I felt like I really needed this. Completely different background, different career field and different program, but your video speaks so true to the wisdom of teaching - is to continue to give back from what you have learned. Thank you, as I know a bit more about myself in the future.
They're missing out, but if there is anyone I believe in to contribute meaningful knowledge to the world, it's you. You've got this - whether it's in this PhD program, a different one, or a completely different route. We're all rooting for you, keep your chin up!
Hope in dark times.... Good on you Robin. I follow you because you are a modest and bright guy. And there's nothing more hopeful than a modest but serious academic! We need more of you!
I am not a man of faith, but too often fate seems to have given me either just what I needed or exactly what I truely asked for but in a twisted ironic way. From these experiences I have learned the true meaning of "amor fati". A blessing in disguise is Absolutely what this was.
I am here for your journey. Congratulations on this new turn.
I will always support you! A lot of the college elites who decide this stuff don't realize how smart and amazing you are.
Aw, I’m so sorry ): truly, thank you for sharing this and being vulnerable! Talking about this topic can help others who have gone through rejection from degrees feel less alone!❤
I remember sighing in great relief after getting rejected for an internship I was eying for the last few months... I can now finally focus on other important things this year that seem more useful to me.
Damn that sucks, either way you keep moving forward. Thanks for everything you do my guy 🙏
I really relate to the way you're handling this rejection! Sometimes meeting a wall, whatever form that wall takes, turns out to be what it takes to start a new chapter and send you on a new and better path.
I admire your attitude to the rejection. It shows that your degree did it's job, to learn how to learn, and have the wisdom to apply that knowledge to your life and to teach others.Good luck. BTW I am 78 and a lifetime learner..
What a great perspective to cultivate! Godspeed on this next chapter :)
“In the middle of difficulty, lies an opportunity” Can’t wait to see what you’ll accomplish in the coming months! You’ve got this Robin, PhD or not 👊
To Oxford!!! Excellent news❤❤❤ By the way, you have given the rejection a meaning, that is very wise of you. I thank you for this amazing and inspiring content. Bravo!
I am so sorry about the rejection but this may be the best thing to have happened to you atm, the break is well needed and you can always reapply. Excited for your journey ahead
You took a stoic point of view. Excellent.
What a great perspective to have - well done Robin. Very excited to see what you create and the change you will inspire.
Every Instituition and doctoral program is unique, and most have very few slots for new people, so your rejection could have been the result of any number of things. I was rejected by several programs before I ended up on the waitlist for one that had 4 openings. One of the accepted people pulled out, so they notified me. It ended up being the perfect program for my needs, and it led to a wonderful career. Keep at it. By the way, as a former department chair, I assure you that the best teachers don't sit and lecture from a poslition of comfort and privilege.
Hey Robin, it was great hearing your life update. I appreciate getting to know what part of your journey in academia you are on. As someone who also strives to be in that environment, it’s really refreshing to hear how you deal with rejection and competition. I think ultimately, you really did take the right lessons out of this and it sounds like this was one of those good twists of fate. :)
About a few months ago I was exactly where you are. I always had the goal of doing a phd, but in the process of writing my masters thesis I noticed that I do not really want to work academically. I remember throwing Wordsworth across the room because I so much hated the way in which academia treats literature. Poor guy did not even have anything to do with the topic :D
I really enjoy my decision. The way that I read has completely changed for the better. I much more enjoy literature for its own sake and not as material for cultural analysis. It really offered me a new way to appreciate it.
You're a hero, Robin! This is one of my favorite youtube channels for the way you view the world and the way you express your goals! Best of luck in your next chapters in life xD
In my industry all phDs are self funded. A bummer for sure. But it does make for a better range of projects because people have more control over what they study as the institution has less influence. It’s more between the applicant and supervisor.
Robin Waldun ❤️.. You'll always stand out in an era increasingly dominated by influencers..♥️
This rejection may not be quite the disaster it appears to be. Before I started, my proposed supervisor stopped me in the corridor and said, ‘I just wanted to ask - do you know what ‘PhD’ stands for? I said no, voice leaden with suspicion. ‘Permanent head Damage’, he said. He wasn’t wrong. I got through, but at a price.
You were probably up against it. Engineers and science guys get the lion’s share of PhD funding. They work as part of teams of 6-8 on a big project. It would also have helped to have had some academic publications before you applied. That really tough for an Honours student. They also like you to have proved yourself by having written a Masters thesis first. My supervisor refused to let me do my PhD until I’d done so first. Good luck!👍
Not surprised you got over it fast, and I believe it's not cope because that really defeated feeling of regret only effects people when they half donkey it or don't try period. It's the waste of potential that lingers. No one can lie to the inner critique. If you manage during the process, he'll tell you at the end.
Thanks for sharing. I'm excited to see what you do with your future and look forward to learning along the way. Thanks for showing us how to make rejection just a different road to follow.
Your reframing is fantastic, and the new and old goals are even more intriguing than sitting in an ivory tower. I’m looking forward to watching your new results and videos. The time for academia will come someday, if you will still want to try it out, but just because you truly deserve it.
A veteran masters and PhD of the University of Sydney here got PhD in 2012, now working as a freelance job and enjoying life outside academia. I had to make a pact with my phd advisor then that I would acquire HD in my treatise and all units. Nearly got mad literally during the transition period. Did it, got accepted but had to switch main and co advisor. I think for me it's just proof that I can do it despite not being very intelligent and those are for my parents who could never afford the higher education. Long story short, a PhD is nice and a great experience, but just another chapter for me. Wish you best of luck ✨️✨️✨️
I've found myself in a similar position where academia was the goal but soon realised it's simply not an environment I wish to be a part of.
The idea of it is great, but when you realise how many hoops you have to jump through, and that most of the time the fruits of your labour are actually tailored towards securing more funding instead of pursuing novel ideas, it quickly loses its enchantment.
You already have a huge audience you can educate. You have a tremendous opportunity and, arguably, will make a greater impact through this channel than you would in university.
The goal you've set for your further development trajectory is great! To my mind, you are already successful as a content creator popularizing and explaining literature and literary studies. I am sure the things you are going to do will be amazing and will also empower your profile, so you will get into to any PhD programme of your choice. I wish you a lot of inspiration and luck on your path! I will stay tuned!
I was in disbelief when I saw the title.
Keep your chin up, Robin, and don't lose heart. It seems like the immediate future of thought will lie outside the formal strictures of academia.
You are a great teacher . They missed out on a great candidate. I’ve learnt a lot from your videos .
Please don’t let the rejection ever discourage you, Robin. You are easily Ph.D. material and so much more.
The dimension of thinking for yourself. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Props to you for reframing what could have easily been seen as failure into something potentially much more positive!
If it took you 10' to change your mind, the rejection was likely a reflection of their doubts about your genuine interest or commitment.
I was rejected by two programs before getting into one several years later. It all comes down to whether you can find an advisor that wants to work with you or that can take you on. Seek them out first before applying. If you want to get into a program you will eventually. You obviously have the ability.
Just a note to everyone, if you are applying for graduate school your only letters references should come from academics you have taken courses with who work in the same field to which you are applying.
Second best is scholars you studied with from an adjacent field.
If you choose anyone else for your letters, you'll probably get rejected.
"we appreciate your interest" bad news
"we are pleased to inform you" good news
Loved your mindset, Robin!
To be honest, knowing the Australian system myself…
They tend to reject people for PhDs so that you will go and spend money on a master's degree…
PhDs are usually funded whereas Masters are out of pocket unless you get a scholarship or it’s one of these rare funded research Masters…
At least that’s my experience…
Also, at this level of academia, success has very little to do with academic performance and innovation but rather everything to do with politics. Unfortunately…
I'm so excited for this next chapter for you! I watched your channel while I was studying creative writing in college, but I haven't in a few years. I'm going to start following along!
Although this is just a comment, i’m happy to be a tiny part of all of this which is happening in your life. You will be where you need to be 😊
Sorry for your sad experiencia. I hope you stay well!🍀💚
I started on my PhD earlier this year, but because the University and the department suck, I quit and it was the best decision I could've made. I realized that I never actually wanted to write my PhD and just did it, because I thought I had to. But boyyyy did it feel good to get out of academia.
Might be weird to say, but given the context, congratulations on your rejection! It sounds like this is giving you some incredible opportunities for growth, exploration and to live a life with potentially richer layers than what a doctorate program could offer you rn. Congratulations and good luck!!! 🎉💛
PHDs are hyper selective, even more so than in times past. My friend was rejected from all his prospects even though he has a decade of experience in Ivy league academia, great references, and co-authored numerous published studies. He’s decided not pursue a PHD at this point and moved into the private sector
Yes! Please share more about how to read academic and literary documents. Looking forward to it!
I know you've succesfully regulate your feeling and move on. But for this time, let me cry for you. You deserve all the successes in your journey, truly 😢
Yeah, there's so much behind PhD admissions depending on university needs; it's basically a job you're applying for (I'm sure you know this) but it's great you're in good spirits about it and ready to continue down your path!
A weird congratulations to you, I guess! Glad you’re here. I’ve put a lot of stuff in my commonplace book I got from you-and I’ve cited you in a couple papers I did for my master’s. Figured now was as good a time as ever to tell you!
I just saw this video and i think the title is miss leading. From watching the video i now get the context that you didn't get into a Phd program, not that you failed to continue the program that you were already in. This is a big difference. Being rejected from a program is normal lol. Keep applying. From life you should know that failing to get in is how things are.. lol.
Bro, I got rejected from 6/8 of the schools I applied to for my masters, and was probationary in the first year of my PhD program at the school I got my masters in.
It’s hard, and that doesn’t mean toooo much. Also, graduate school in the arts ident always the best way to do the work you want. Most of the artists whose work we study at universities, are not in academia. So, these programmes have a lot of soul-searching to do anyway. They make things for each other, not for people in the actual world.
Gosh, this video came at the right time for me. I also just got rejected for a government funded scholarship in a well-known university outside my country. I was shortlisted, had amazing references and experiences, and the school loved me (well atleast the person who interviewed me did). But ultimately, the grant giver, aka the government, didn't select me out of the shortlist. I felt depressedf or around 20-30 mins and afterwards, it was out of my system. I expected it to debilitate me longer than it did. Perhaps, it was emotional maturity? Haha! But I'm also exploring other schools now :)
Thank you for sharing your experience. Best of luck to you!
I have been moving away from your videos and I think this video explains why. I am looking forward to the wild ride!
Robin, this is just false positivity bull**** and you know it. Allow yourself to be disappointed. It is ok. I am glad you can find inspiration in your TH-cam work to move forward, and you nail it like hell , so don’t get me wrong, it is awesome. But don’t feel embarrassed to be crushed for a while. Give it time. Grieving a lost opportunity is normal and you are great - rejected or not - without the sugarcoating. I root for you.
I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. It just wasn’t your season and that’s okay! It doesn’t mean it still isn’t a possibility