How to deal with rejection?

[Dr Gerrard]

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So if I were to get into the University of Michigan, I would have found out by email last night. I didn't.

This was a crushing blow. My confidence is crushed. Every other school I interviewed at now seems like such a far reach. Today was a day I was supposed to hear back from 3 schools. One was a failure and now the other to seem much less likely than before too.

I have an interview today and have had one both previous days. I have been confident in all of those. Now I feel kind of worthless. I know this is a slight exaggeration, but I really do feel this way. Especially because Michigan invites more than half of the people they interview and I can't even beat out one other person? I know it doesn't work like that, but that is how it feels.

Any help on dealing with this?

 

[doit4themunki]

So if I were to get into the University of Michigan, I would have found out by email last night. I didn't.

This was a crushing blow. My confidence is crushed. Every other school I interviewed at now seems like such a far reach. Today was a day I was supposed to hear back from 3 schools. One was a failure and now the other to seem much less likely than before too.

I have an interview today and have had one both previous days. I have been confident in all of those. Now I feel kind of worthless. I know this is a slight exaggeration, but I really do feel this way. Especially because Michigan invites more than half of the people they interview and I can't even beat out one other person? I know it doesn't work like that, but that is how it feels.

Any help on dealing with this?

Waitwaitwait now...don't jump the gun here. Schools can only tell about decisions AFTER Oct 15th...that means todays the first day (unless you applied EDP?). So wait a sec-you still got a chance!

Anyway obviously this is something all of us are going through right now. I've already been rejected to lots of the place I'd love to have gone and it was really heartbreaking and I definitely took it personally. I don't think there's any way to get around that feeling--the only thing I keep reminding myself is that if I don't get in to medical school this year, it doesn't mean I'm going to end up homeless or something. If it doesn't work out this year, you just have to take that energy and instead of becoming destructive turn it into a drive to become a crazy person this year and do whatever it takes to improve yourself so you are a much stronger applicant for next year.

Sorry though--I feel bad...it's a horrible feeling 🙁

 

[Dr Gerrard]

Well Michigan lets people know right at 12:01, so I didn't get anything so I guess not technically rejected but pretty much.

And I wouldn't have minded a pre-interview rejection. But a post-interview rejection just makes me question myself as a person since I had always considered myself a strong interviewer because I am usually a very personable guy.

I have had a few other interviews and have had a few more line up too but I guess I just thought after an interview I would be good. Now i am thinking back to all of my other previous interviews and really worried that something went wrong. I guess I can't change anything anymore, but still.

I was dozing off while the director of admission was speaking, and then later we talked a bit and I attributed it to time zone or some stupid thing like that because he had mentioned time zone differences earlier. I am from the same time zone though lol. I was traveling from another one, but maybe he thought I was lying or something? I would much rather have a rejection due to this than my interviewing skills.

 

[theWUbear]

ITT: Assuming not getting in the first day possibile = not getting in during the next 10 months

 

[doit4themunki]

Well maybe there's still a chance--no news is better than bad news??!

I know how you feel though. Because after you're interviewed its like but you don't like me!!?!

Well Michigan lets people know right at 12:01, so I didn't get anything so I guess not technically rejected but pretty much.

And I wouldn't have minded a pre-interview rejection. But a post-interview rejection just makes me question myself as a person since I had always considered myself a strong interviewer because I am usually a very personable guy.

I have had a few other interviews and have had a few more line up too but I guess I just thought after an interview I would be good. Now i am thinking back to all of my other previous interviews and really worried that something went wrong. I guess I can't change anything anymore, but still.

I was dozing off while the director of admission was speaking, and then later we talked a bit and I attributed it to time zone or some stupid thing like that because he had mentioned time zone differences earlier. I am from the same time zone though lol. I was traveling from another one, but maybe he thought I was lying or something? I would much rather have a rejection due to this than my interviewing skills.

 

[NickNaylor]

ITT: Assuming not getting in the first day possibile = not getting in during the next 10 months

Good point; stay strong bro. Based on your posts you've gotten interviews at some fantastic schools, so you have nothing to worry about. Also don't forget that 99% of Michigan applicants are accepted somewhere. Just be patient...

 

[wanderer]

At some school I interviewed they pretty much said that admissions at that point come down to 4 basic things.

1. Fit for medicine.
2. Fit for the school.
3. Communication skills.
4. Type of person you are (i.e. personality)

Since this school had closed-file an open file interview is also intended for clarification of application materials, and seeing how the real you matches with the "paper you."
Assuming you had academics and activities above the mean of Michigan's, you can have had a great interview but gotten rejected because you didn't fit the student body.

 

[Playa]

Im not really sure if there is an easy process for this. I know I felt like total crap when I got rejected for my ugrad schools. People will tell you not to take it personally, but we're all human and we can't help it. This is probably 10X worse than a ugrad rejection.

Im sure that if you really wanted to be a doctor, you would be able to even through one bad app cycle. As for dealing with rejection itself, you just have to accept that it is a part of life, realize that you do have other opportunities and keep going.

 

[gravitywave]

Also don't forget that 99% of Michigan applicants are accepted somewhere. Just be patient...

this 👍 (although i have no idea where this 99% number comes from or if it's accurate, I figure that people who interview at Michigan do pretty well for themselves whether or not they get in there)

the best fix for getting over rejection is to get yourself accepted someplace else 😀

 

[NickNaylor]

this 👍 (although i have no idea where this 99% number comes from or if it's accurate, I figure that people who interview at Michigan do pretty well for themselves whether or not they get in there)

the best fix for getting over rejection is to get yourself accepted someplace else 😀

That's the number quoted by the Michigan admissions people.

OP, you'll be aight. Have no fear.