Experiencing the disappointment of getting a dreaded rejection letter from your dream school during the Early Decision phase can be truly disheartening. You've invested your heart, soul, dedication, and countless hours into becoming an exceptional candidate. It's crucial to remember that this outcome doesn't define your worth or your potential. Your bright future still awaits, and there are other really, really good options out there.
College admissions have undeniably become incredibly competitive. And Yale is just about as tough as it gets with an acceptance rate of just 5%! But keep in mind: a rejection from Yale doesn't mean you’re less likely to get into other Ivy League institutions, so don't let it discourage you. Here’s our advice on how to keep on the path to acceptance.
Take a Breather
First and foremost, it's essential to take a little break and allow yourself to, well, grieve. While that might sound weird, you’ve experienced a loss and you need to let yourself process it. You've poured an immense amount of effort into your Yale application and your overall high school journey, from tests, to classes, to extracurriculars. Take a short pause. Give yourself a few days to rejuvenate, relax with friends, and decompress. It's perfectly acceptable to feel sad if that's what you're experiencing, and it’s actually necessary to take a few days
Look Over Your List
Once you’ve had a chance to pause, shift your focus over to regrouping. Remember, you're not starting from scratch; all your prior accomplishments still hold value. It's time to reevaluate your strategy slightly. Begin by revisiting your list of potential schools. Take a look at the acceptance ranges for test scores and GPAs for each institution on your list. Evaluate where you stand in relation to these criteria. Now, ensure that you have a well-balanced mix of reach, target, and safety schools. You might be feeling great about your list. In which case, you don’t need to change much. It’s really up to your own comfort level. If you need extra reassurance, consider adding another safety school or elevating a target school to the reach category. In most cases, a complete overhaul isn't necessary. If you conducted thorough research when creating your initial list, trust in your work and just fine-tune it.
The Common App
Take a closer look at your Common App essay. Read it through twice. Consider how you can enhance it to truly stand out. We advise our students to craft outstanding essays that allow their unique personality to shine through. Keep in mind that admissions counselors spend weeks sifting through a mountain of essays and applications, so your goal should be to captivate their attention and be memorable. Create a compelling narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end that showcases some of your distinctive personality traits. Keep it straightforward. Strive for a light-hearted, engaging, charming, and occasionally humorous tone. Imagine yourself as the admissions counselor and think about the kind of essay that would grab your attention after reading countless others. Don’t try to sound overly smart or pretentious. You’re a kid and it’s okay to be a kid! The most important thing is the connect with the person ready your essay.
Get Additional Support
Receiving an Early Decision rejection can be really tough! It's normal to feel lost or uncertain about your next steps. Many students find it beneficial to seek guidance from a college consultant. We offer a specialized "It's Going to Be Okay" package tailored for students who have received less-than-ideal news during the Early Decision round. This intensive two-week program is designed to help you devise a solid plan and regain your footing after a rejection.
Don’t lose hope if you’ve received an Early Decision rejection. College admissions are incredibly (like really, over the top) competitive. One rejection doesn’t necessarily signal that you’re not a candidate at similarly competitive schools. It does mean you should double-check your work and make sure your application is as strong as it can be.
Need help with an essay? Call us. We’re experts at helping students craft stand-out essays.