Oh, come on now. You dislike generic rejection letters? So you think that med schools that receive thousands and thousands of applications should take the time to write each applicant an individualized rejection letter?? You're not serious, are you? And you would be happier if the rejection letter said, "We are pleased to inform you ... "?
Well, some do appear to be individualized, as evidenced by StringerBell's letter, but, you are correct, most letters are likely to be quite generic, for good reason. I actually thought one letter that was sent to me was believeable, but the rest, not so much.
I'm not impervious to tone, and I believe that I have a fairly well-develop sense for authenticity. In other words, I think I can detect what sounds like disingenuity in a piece of writing. Whether it is truly the case that the writer is being disingenous, or not, I can't actually know. I'm sure it's true that in some cases there is actual regret, but it seems likely that by-in-large, the writer is simply fulfilling a job duty. When I read the words of one director of admissions, I actually believed that this person cared about the process greatly and had read through all of the applications, considering and reviewing quite carefully before making a decision. At least that's how that individual made me feel and how that person's tone came across in the personally signed rejection letter. Most of the rejection letters that I received were generic and neutral in tone, however. Honestly, when I read the important lines of most of these letters, I sort of checked out.
Anyway, it is more accurate and unarguable to say that I projected disingenuity, or at least disinterest, onto many of the rejection letters I received. I projected sincerity onto one that I received. Whether these were accurate projections, or not, is perhaps, impossible to know. In any case, I'm no longer interested in placing my attention onto them. However, any way we cut it, in most cases, rejection hurts.
My projections notwithstanding, I appreciate that I received a definitive answer from a majority of the places that I applied and followed through with. Again, I'm glad that this part of the process is finished.
They had their chance.
