ask why a program rejected you?

[dingleberry007]

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I recently got a rejection from a program that I considered a "back up". But I guess there is not such thing when things are this competitive. I am really curious on why this program rejected me.

is it poor form to shoot the program an email asking why? I'm just very curious. I have no illusion that they'll change my rejection, nor will I ask for them to do so. I just want to know.

My biggest fear is that I filled out some part of the application wrong or one of my letters say I'm a pedophile or something.

So can/should I email and ask?

thanks...

 

[Pkboi24]

I recently got a rejection from a program that I considered a "back up". But I guess there is not such thing when things are this competitive. I am really curious on why this program rejected me.

is it poor form to shoot the program an email asking why? I'm just very curious. I have no illusion that they'll change my rejection, nor will I ask for them to do so. I just want to know.

My biggest fear is that I filled out some part of the application wrong or one of my letters say I'm a pedophile or something.

So can/should I email and ask?

thanks...

No harm in asking, I suppose. Just be cordial about it.

 

[Ludicolo]

Agree. You have nothing to lose.

 

[atsai3]

You have nothing to lose. But it's a waste of you time as you will likely get little useful information

-AT.

 

[34140]

i emailed a program i thought i would get an invite to. no reply yet. 🙁

 

[patch28]

I'm more curious why you think one of your letter writers thinks you're a pedophile. That sounds like a bit of a licensing problem to me 😛

 

[peppy]

You have nothing to lose. But it's a waste of you time as you will likely get little useful information

Yes, I would be surprised if a program will give you a straight answer about why you were rejected. For all they know you might get angry and argue with them about the rejection, or even try to turn it into a discrimination thing. So, even though it helps us to know what's wrong, it's to their benefit to just keep quiet.

It's quite possible that the backup program rejected you because they figured out they're your backup. A lot of programs don't want to waste the time interviewing candidates that they don't think are serious about going there. They'd rather use the time to interview someone who is more realistically going to rank the program highly. I'd only get worried if you are getting rejected by everyone and not getting any invitations. Good luck.

 

[QofQuimica]

Maybe instead of asking them why they rejected you, try asking them what they think you can do to improve your application in general. That way, they're not in the position of having to defend their decision, and maybe you will get some useful tips.

 

[34140]

Maybe instead of asking them why they rejected you, try asking them what they think you can do to improve your application in general. That way, they're not in the position of having to defend their decision, and maybe you will get some useful tips.

i did just that, called and emailed. no reply

 

[jackieMD2007]

I wouldn't push it. If you have applied to plenty of other programs, then don't worry about it. You don't want to seem like you're nagging them or whatever either.

If you're concerned about something in your application maybe you can talk about it with a dean or an advisor.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

It's not about nagging them. They honestly dont care and won't bother to reply. They'd probably just filter your email address straight to the trash bin even.