How to Handle College Rejection

A rejection is never easy — whether it comes from a friend, a potential employer, or your number one college choice. Here are some ideas to help you work through and overcome the disappointment of being rejected by your college of choice:

Don't take it personally. You may have been rejected simply because the college had
many similar applicants.
Reaffirm your strengths. Remind yourself that you have many fine qualifications for
college. An acceptance letter will come.
Remember that you aren't alone. Almost everyone gets one (or more) rejection letter.
Recognize that brand name doesn't equal success. There are many paths to a
successful career, and no college leads to a sure thing in job placement.
Don't spend a lot of time agonizing about the rejection. Instead, use the time and energy
finding another school that you will like as much or more.
Be positive about other institutions. You are sure to find several colleges where you could
be happy and receive a great education.
Consider that maybe the rejection isn't such a bad thing. Sometimes rejections end up
being blessings in disguise, something you realize down the road. Maybe the admissions
officer saw something that signaled the college would not be a good match for your skills,
interests and dislikes, and thereby saved you from a disappointing experience.
If at first you don't succeed . . . If you are dead set on a given school, start at another
school and reapply later as a transfer student.

Adult life will deliver some bumps and bruises, such as getting rejected when applying for jobs or
being passed over for a promotion. If you can learn to handle rejection now, you'll be better
prepared for adult life. Just remember: college rejections happen, but they don't have to
define the rest of your life.

Source: ACT's News You Can Use
Posted: 3/10/2008