It's Not You, It’s Them

We regret to inform you…One of the worst possible sentences anyone can read, whether it be for their job application, promotion, or, in most of our foreseeable futures, college. Rejection is one of the most painful experiences humans go through, it happens every day, yet the amount of hurt remains the same. While rejection in any area can and will affect someone, this article will focus more on getting rejected from colleges. 
 
College is an experience that most people will experience at some point in their lives. Most typically during your last year in high school, teachers will talk about the importance of college and they will highly recommend that you apply to at least one institution. You spend hours researching colleges to see which one fits you best; you spend even more time writing essays and answering questions regarding your past few years in high school. The waiting period after submitting the application is dreadful, but not as dreadful as the moment you receive an email regarding the admissions decision for the college(s) you have applied to. 
 
The wound of rejection is still open and it still stings despite the constant reassurance from those close to me. I recently received rejections from my top three college choices. Some people might not understand the pain behind not being accepted, but applying for that college was more than the money and  hours I spent perfecting my application. This is something that I have built over the past couple of years, and my future was in the hands of these college admissions officers. Even though I am still hurting as I write this article, I want those reading this to remember: rejection does not mean you are not enough, use it as a learning experience.
 
I am not healed from this occurrence, and I do not think I will ever reach a point where I think about the universities that declined my admission and be completely satisfied with their decision. But I have to remember that just because I did not get in, does not mean I am not smart enough or I am not good enough. Colleges get thousands of applicants and everyone’s stories and circumstances are different. The thing is, you and I cannot forget our worth, and it is always easy to forget it once we have been rejected. Getting rejected is not the end of the world; where one college rejects you, there will be another college–the right one–ready to welcome you with open arms. 
 
There are plenty of ways to handle nonacceptance from a university, here are some of the things I have done to feel better:
·      Write about it. While I do not have a personal journal to write about the rejection in, writing this article is helping me face the issue head-on. 
·      Read about others’ rejections. Seeing how other people are dealing/have dealt with college rejection can make you feel better. 
·      Treat yourself. Whether it is food, shopping, or binge-watching something, celebrate that you even applied; it is a big deal. 
·      Sleep it off. I know this one may seem questionable, but whenever I receive bad news, a good night’s rest will have me feeling much better. 
·      Find websites that will support you. It is okay to feel sad, confused, angry, and any other strong emotion towards college decisions. These websites have helped me realize I am worth more than an application. (These websites do not sponsor TWE).
o   Prep Scholar – This website has anything that will help your education. From SAT practices, to how to write a strong essay.
o   Prep Maven – This article gives more advice on how to deal with an unsuspecting admission decision. 
o   College Raptor – This short, but helpful article discusses points about how to handle college rejection.
 
Rejection is never an easy thing to accept. I understand as I have been put in a position where I realized no to take it too personal. It happens to a lot of people, in fact, there are hundreds of websites/articles discussing this very topic. There are a lot of people who feel empathetic and can resonate with those who did not get accepted into a university that they have applied to. But, as always, life goes on, and we cannot forget our worth because of an instance like you. I know that applying for college happens during one of the busiest times of your life, so it is okay to cut yourself some slack. You are truly enough and amazing just the way you are. 
 
With much love,
~Camille