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Stephanie Law

Stephanie Law is a graduate of Health Sciences at the University of Queensland. Her favourite weekend visiting spot is Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane.

How to deal with being rejected by a university

Submitting applications to universities can be exciting but disappointing when receiving rejections. Knowing that you weren't accepted to your designated university is certainly devastating.

It is normal to feel upset for a day or two since you have worked so hard for your applications. However, do not let yourself wallow in the situation and remember that is not the end of the world! If you are facing this situation at the moment or are interest in applying to universities, you might find these tips handy.

Discuss with your agents

If you are applying for universities through an agency, I would definitely suggest you book an appointment with them and have a chat on what your preferences are before submitting an application.

Agencies are one of the best sources to turn to as they tend to be more resourceful. Plus, large organisations tend to have a better coverage which means you are more likely to get a comprehensive study plan for your overseas studies. It is also easier than planning it all by yourself!

Do not give up

Planning on your next move can be a wise choice rather than sitting back and giving up on your remaining chances to re-apply to other courses from the same university. Always remember one rejection isn’t the end of your life. There are always alternative ways to reach your goals.

All universities offer plenty degrees and I am sure you can find one that fits your needs and goals. You might just need some assistance.

Try applying to not only one but up to three universities

By applying to more universities, you will stand a better chance of getting into one. Shortlist a few universities to apply to and make sure you meet their application requirements before lodging one to prevent feeling disappointment.

Take some time to think about plan B

Do not rush into anything. You might find other good options while re-applying or moving on to look at other universities. The general rule to applying to other universities after receiving a rejection is that you still have the option to re-apply to the same university that sent you the rejection.

Talk to staff at your University Counselling Office

University counsellors at university are always here to help and I am sure they are more than happy to talk and see if there are any other options that works for you. They might also be able to improve your application by evaluating the reasons of failing.  For example, they can help you to better understand the admission process as well as assessing your options.

Just because you were rejected once does not mean it has to happen again. Therefore, take some time to think again and learn your lesson to prevent further rejections.

I hope the above tips can inspire you and make you understand that one admission rejection doesn't have to make or break your future.

Coping with rejections can be hard but we should not lose hope and give up on all applications! Take every application as a challenge and try not to make the same mistake twice.

University experiences are definitely something you would not want to miss out.

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