Reading My Gradschool Rejection Letters

[@NoahTopper]

University of Arizona: "I understand that this decision will be extremely disappointing to you." Andrew: "I don't even remember applying to University of Arizona to be honest."

[@MRF77]

Yet UofA's physics/astronomy program is one of the best in the country, and certainly in his list of universities where he applied.

[@ichigokurosaki7762]

@@MRF77 is it? The school has a terrible reputation in general no?

[@samuelwolfe7465]

@@MRF77 I suppose so if we're speaking relatively to all the other schools he applied to.

[@AlexK9465]

@@MRF77 I am a student at the UofA and the physics department sucks. The astronomy program is good though.

[@corbinwilson660]

@@AlexK9465 I live in eastern Arizona and I’ve heard more than once that the math is atrocious as well.

[@anikagarg371]

I want the confidence with which Manipal Institute of Technology calls itself MIT. That's it. That's my goal in life.

[@anmol3457]

Lol

[@atriacharya2967]

That's false confidence. You probably don't want that.

[@aditisharma3410]

Bruh!

[@katie-st8nx]

@@atriacharya2967 it's still technicly true

[@subhransu91]

They call it mighty MIT!

[@christophert8419]

me: *exists harvard: “no”

[@sydneysmith373]

Talking about rejection and sharing these kinds of disappointments is exactly what academia needs. We can all help fight impostor syndrome by admitting that even the most brilliant and successful people have struggled and failed throughout their careers. Thank you!

[@sherwinlau3309]

I just got rejected from my masters of global affairs program. I respect the genuinety of this video. It hurt alot, but I won't give up.

[@tanujkumar1576]

I agree! I've just been through a lot of rejections myself recently. People might say that students would waste time making or watching KZbin videos but honestly this video just helped me feel better.

[@shamsmehdi3725]

Decent students get rejected not because of their lack of skills but more because their skills/research interests are not aligned with the intended program.

[@LoneFifteen]

ඞ

[@SuperPBrady]

After six months of waiting I am SO proud to announce that I’ve finally been rejected from UC Berkeley! It’s been such an honor and privilege anxiously refreshing my email everyday waiting to hear back. Now I can proudly celebrate with my fellow rejected transfer class of 2019! Stay humble everybody, your rejection will come if you work hard enough 💪

[@私が守るもの]

Paige Brady had me in the first half, not gonna lie

[@camilascatonebedin3002]

some months from now I will be doing the same!

[@ericdaniel323]

Way to go! I didnt even apply at Berkeley, but Columbia, Duke, Michigan, and Wisconsin all rejected me (Math Ph.D). Northwestern said I could come but I had to pay my own way, which in math is tantamount to a rejection, so I'll count that one too.

[@engineered.mechanized]

Where did you end up going then?

[@SuperPBrady]

EngineeredMechanized I’m now at UC Davis and incredibly happy about my decision :) many people in my transfer class actually were accepted to Berkeley but denied admission and chose Davis instead. And after going here I can definitely see why.

[@rotflmaopmpqxyz]

6:22 "That's a good way of breaking up with someone I guess" "Sorry babe, there's so many girls that wanna be with me that inevitably many talented and qualified ladies aren't gonna end up with me. Including you"

[@abdallababikir4473]

Hahaha

[@rossetto23]

Best comment ever! Gotta memorize that!

[@tumdeax]

Dotson, pin this guy's comment!

[@eazya1523]

Lol

[@richardhuppertz3487]

This comment is great!

[@duckymomo7935]

rejection = hate mail, don't @me

[@ianturnbow7011]

Mi Les @

[@gavinriley5232]

@

[@emanuelldaluzcaminha9122]

@me

[@JoeSmith-db4rq]

I know that saying “we VERY CAREFULLY reviewed your application” is supposed to be a compliment showing that they at least showed some interest, but honestly to me it just suggests that even after spending “very long” reviewing your application, they STILL couldn’t find any value in you lol.

[@apostolismoschopoulos1876]

Also usually those quotes are part of automated formulas that they send to 90% of the applicants where they just put the name as the parameter; they maybe didn't even look at your application

[@amuigayle2231]

This comment just depressed me 😭

[@jackmaxwell3134]

rofl

[@oak3785]

"I searched in my email 'regret'" dude, I can never do this to myself

[@asciidiego]

All mail: 2086 emails Filtered mail (keyword: regret) 2085

[@creatorzp]

@@asciidiego .

[@indrasishmajumder6359]

@@asciidiego And the last one was an ad

[@justgame5508]

“We regret to inform you” - Story of my life

[@CharlesLaing]

When I was applying for my undergrad, the best one I got was "Dear Mr. Laing, We are unable to offer you admission to our undergraduate program at this time. Sincerely, Admissions " The best part was that it came in the mail on official letterhead.

[@Zonnymaka]

Well, it could have been worse like "We are unable to offer you admission to our undergraduate program at this time..or at any time at all". See the bright side!

[@misteryA555]

Makes it sound like they couldn’t make rent or something and had to pack up the whole school and leave lol

[@satyampandey2222]

It could have been even worse like in andrew's thumbnail. Applies* Email : lol no ty

[@viradeus4322]

Lol I applied to a magnet high school and got rejected in a similar way. The letter came on a very fancy letter

[@christophert8419]

“hi I’m broke and wanna be a little less broke by going to your school even though I went broke in the first place from taking out loans to become a little less broke by going to your school”

[@jordanismyname3961]

6:39 “Dear Mr. Dotson, lol no” cracked me up

[@silent_traveller7]

Well, that's exactly what happens in India.

[@Unbiased27]

Sharing these rejection letters is a true sign of humility and confidence. This is inspiring on so many levels. You got balls of steel man!

[@solarisone1082]

I guess it's easier when after you've been accepted somewhere else.

[@TurdFurgeson571]

"We regret to inform you that you have not been admitted to our program. Keep making fun of physics professors and see where that gets you. Vlog about that." ~ [school name here]

[@TheLuma1612]

Getting a rejection letter is still better than not hearing back at all, which happened with 10 out of the 17 PhDs I applied for, despite being among the top 5 percent in my undergrad. The other 7 ended up being 4 interviews and 2 offers ultimately. Fun fact: Those very two were 'Ah, why the hell not' last minute applications at a point where I had already lost hope. Stay persistent, guys!

[@aNg134u]

Not sure if you're still hearing out rejection stories but I applied to med school post bacc programs back in 2016 and I was rejected from both. Don't remember the tone of the letters but both showed up on my birthday. At the time I felt like terrible and was super depressed. But then very shortly after my grandmother passed away and I realized that things happen in a very specific order. I was better off because I would have been way more upset if I was away when she passed. I got the opportunity to sleep in the hospital with her every day for two weeks before until she died and I'm grateful for that time so doesn't always seem that way but everything happens for a reason and I was appreciative. Also I realized all holes in my application and I've since improved them. I'm Reapplying now so we'll see how it all goes.

[@NiKaDra]

Good luck!

[@asyuki193]

After high school I waited a year to get into uni since my results weren't as good as I wanted but that year my grandma passed away and it all happened in two weeks, had I went ahead with school, I might've never spent those two weeks with her. I hope now you are in the program you've wanted.

[@getsetgears9187]

How did it go ? I hope you got admitted.

[@aNg134u]

@@getsetgears9187 omg!! Thanks for reminding me about this post. I did get in!!!

[@spix6978]

@@aNg134u LESGOOO Congrats!

[@terixel3817]

I will let you know my rejection story in a year and a half. :)

[@sauteedgarlic3237]

@PapaKurke You got another 15 months to wait to hear his story.

[@oscar20862086]

PapaKurke 11!

[@Username-or9nr]

Terixel so

[@prathedragon9847]

9 months to go

[@thoughtsfromahead]

I'll let you know in 6 months.........

[@breeannwalker8309]

It's literally just like applying for jobs after graduation

[@biohoo22]

Assuming you hear back from like half of the jobs you apply to...

[@finthechat7134]

I was rejected by Miley Cyrus through a guy who said that he knew her. I did not deal well with this. I am still dealing with the heart ache to this day.

[@huhulili9021]

How did you get rejected by Hannah Montana?

[@subscribetopewdiepie4109]

Fake Dufas Oof

[@m35926]

Aww your poor achy break heart

[@MK_ULTRA420]

=ma

[@xxIluvyouguysxx]

It’s for the best

[@Civ33]

finished undergrad in civil engineering with a mediocre 3.2 gpa but got a high gre score, admitted to 3/4 grad schools, went for structural engineering, struggled, dropped out, fell into a deep depression while unemployed for half a year, went home and was fortunate to land a good job. That was this year. Now I am happy, my only regret is that I thought I needed to go to grad school in the first place. Advice to college undergrads, don't go to grad school unless there is something you specifically want to study and there is something that a graduate degree and education uniquely offers that you want to pursue, grad school is not like undergrad. You can always work in the industry and go back later if there is something you find that you want to pursue in grad school. Well, I guess this advice doesn't apply for every major, but it does for engineering. I know this is late but I hope it helps someone.

[@10thletter40]

.... please dont call that GPA mediocre, my ego will not do well

[@NerdyCatCoffeeee]

@@10thletter40 any GPA above 2.0 is good enough. As long as you make it higher every semester, you're doing well

[@10thletter40]

@@NerdyCatCoffeeee Oh nah fam my GPA is fine. I figured everyone else could relate to this comment though. Thanks for the support anyways man ☺️

[@x17exeventien79]

"My one big criticism of NMSU? Well, I would say their faculty just cares too much and they were too helpful..." -Andrew, dropping some savage criticism

[@BSAnime]

And I thought college rejections where plentiful.... Then I tried applying for an engineering job

[@beepboop4285]

This showed up on my recommended after just bombing my GRE today - sick. Just kidding, honestly I really appreciate this content. It’s important to remind people that you aren’t a POS just because you got a bad score on a test or rejected into a program.

[@samevans1289]

Me: *clicks on video * Andrew: What's going on, smart people? Me: Oops wrong video

[@jonathanlogan1315]

I've got mad respect for you my friend. Physics is a career that takes guts and determination. Easily one of the hardest majors and you applied to many respectful schools. Good luck in the future

[@MoisesSolisLordOfAll]

For William and Mary, don't feel so bad about it, they only accept people with direct recommendations

[@chriselliott1532]

Wdym

[@chriselliott1532]

Bro I’m applying there in November

[@curiosityzero2151]

Ig I'm not get into William and marry either in that case

[@dukequach9641]

I read this as "reading my gradeschool rejection letters". I thought you were denied access to public grade schools >.>

[@AndrewDotsonvideos]

lmao

[@stonefree7973]

Same 🤣

[@thematrix1101]

Harvard elementary school

[@theittsco]

We'll have to see what my grad school rejection story will be. In the meantime, my undergraduate rejection story is fun. I applied to 8 schools, got in to exactly 1 for the fall semester (accepted to the spring for another school). I was grossly under prepared for the application process, and I did not take it seriously enough. I refuse to make the same mistakes when applying for graduate school.

[@theittsco]

@@jonhillery7736 interesting. Reminds me of a story I heard where people from Philips Academy applied to Bunker Hill Community College as a joke, all got in of course, then last minute all went to different colleges. BHCC was not happy, so now they deny anyone from Philips Academy who applies. I hope you got past that depressing time.

[@jonhillery7736]

@@theittsco Thanks! Andover or Exeter?

[@theittsco]

@@jonhillery7736 Andover!

[@tanujkumar1576]

2:02 Florida State 3:11 Michigan State 4:00 Stony Brook 5:24 U of Arizona 6:43 College of William & Mary 8:19 NMSU Got 8 rejections myself, just did this to get over it :'D

[@fachriranu1041]

Best of luck man, in 2 year i want to apply for Stony Brook, Bard and UMKC but for Economics....

[@tanujkumar1576]

@@fachriranu1041 To give you some encouragement, I applied again next year and got into a pretty good university :D Keep working hard

[@fachriranu1041]

@@tanujkumar1576 Thanks dude....

[@TallHobbit]

I finally got into a PhD program at UConn!! Took me two years and like 18 applications but THAT'S FINE 😂😂

[@curiosityzero2151]

Me on the waiting list rn

[@lightning4032]

Hey I just got rejected from NC State too! Thanks for being so candid about this stuff. It helps to see other people going through the same situation and I'm glad it worked out well for you in the end :)

[@ahmada0]

I got rejected from a PhD program. I was number 9 out of 70 and they only invited the top 8 for an interview, they already sent me the rejection email. Luckily for me, one of the students in the top 8 already found a job elsewhere so I got the interview slot in an email a few days later. Mentally I was already checked out and didn't think I would get accepted, I only went to gain the interview experience. However the day after the interview I got a call from the professor who offered me the PhD position, which really blew my mind. I went from being jobless for 3 months to getting accepted into a PhD program.

[@atriacharya2967]

Well done, my friend. Congratulations and all the best for the future!!

[@abhinovenagarajan.s7237]

"600 is a lot of applicants" Lmao Andrew needs to know about Indian universities.

[@MatheusGHenz]

Abhinove Nagarajan.S Undergrad programs get 50,000+ applicants. This is for grad school

[@souparnika9457]

@Laksh Taneja Yes. 600 is a normal number of short listed applications from a few thousands, even for graduate school

[@amicia6742]

I graduated with a 3.0 2.5 years ago. I'm wanting to go back for grad school and feel like I'm better at physics now than I was before (due to teaching it and better study skills). Kinda worried that everyone will reject me over my low GPA.

[@ChristAliveForevermore]

You sound like me in 2.5 years.

[@markpretty]

You won't know if you get accepted until you try.

[@CrushOfSiel]

Get some good letters, try to get some research experience. Those are way more important!

[@richardrodriguez8844]

Experience > GPA to an extent. If the minimum/avg requirement is 3.3, you could get away with a 3.0 depending on your experience, GRE score, letter of recommendation and optional essay (sometimes schools allow you to write about any information you think is not representative of you and explain why)

[@kevinarzola4781]

My guy, just spam those applications. Get a dozen or so schools you’re interested in and I’m sure at least one will be interested.

[@peligros13]

Wonder what the rejection letter from viena looked like to make a german dude that angry

[@Osama-Bon-Jovi-01]

Lmao

[@hectornonayurbusiness2631]

🤣🤣🤣

[@indrasishmajumder6359]

*Austrian and the one with a funny moustache.

[@realityoftheworld3062]

I got 6 rejection letters. My parents said to give up and i am stupid to waste their money on this. They told me i was too stupid to study astrophysics and kicked me out of the house. I got into my friends house . Really thankful and got accepted today . Yay for astrophysics major. Dont give up brothers

[@matthewgriffey7685]

As a STEM major who also attends university in Virginia, seeing rejection letters from graduate schools that I myself had been looking to attend really helps. You're awesome keep up the good work!

[@kevins.783]

I’m glad this is out there. Fretting over my PhD application right now and going through the anxiety is exhausting but this was nice to watch.

[@dunemaroon]

I applied to 9 microbiology PhD programs, interviewed with 3, and got 2 offers. Whatever happens in those committee boardrooms is really a mystery. Those rejections were the most expensive emails I've ever received, but the payoff of acceptance is worth it!

[@adrycough]

cost per email?

[@sti6264]

"The message just repeats. Regret, Regret, Regret."

[@andrewtran6669]

Big rejection from my dream school, coming to you this March

[@jeaddy10]

Andrew Tran update????

[@ifrazali3052]

What happened

[@andrewtran6669]

update: January, rejected from Georgia Tech for Physics. February, Rejected from UT Austin for Physics and Astronomy. March, rejected from dream school, Princeton University, for astrophysics. All three schools really meant something to me at one point or another. Will be attending University of Georgia this fall as astrophysics major in the honors college, which is still good.

[@Lking123]

Was it due to your gpa? Or other factors

[@andrewtran6669]

@@Lking123 GPA was one of them, but the thing is, pretty much all of my grades junior and senior year were A's, but I screwed up big time freshman sophomore year. My eccs were dry too I guess, I really only had 1 or 2 goods things going for me

[@henry2335]

Lol.... Well then, KZbin is reading my mind and bringing out my fears.

[@evakanyagia7088]

I know, right!!!

[@viniciusjdasilva8555]

I'm applying to Graduate School right now. I am also applying to 10 schools and seeing someone being this real about the rejection letters really makes me feel more comfortable about the whole thing. Thanks for your videos dude

[@AndrewDotsonvideos]

Best of luck!

[@viniciusjdasilva8555]

@@AndrewDotsonvideos Just wanted to come here to say last year I did not get any acceptances but this year with a stronger application after doing a Fermilab internship I just received an acceptance. Rejections can suck but we can't let them bring us down and thanks Andrew for all you've done for the community.

[@terrencehopkins2424]

Thank you so much for making this video. I'm a current undergrad student aspiring to enter a Chemistry PhD program. (I actually just recently started my own channel!) I think it's super important to understand and learn to handle rejection letters and to not let them discourage you from pursuing continued education!

[@celestial410]

Application👏review👏

[@coena9377]

I genuinely think that if we spent more time talking unashamedly about our failures we'd try more things. So often we don't reply because we fear that rejection. Desensitization of rejection is an amazing thing. I'm still in sophomore year so not yet applying to grad school, but honestly just watching this video makes me feel better about the rejections I know I'll get.

[@vagabondwastrel2361]

The Arizona one is actually rather brutal and elitist. "I am sure this will be very devastating for you but there are normally positions available at McDonalds." Too many schools are afflicted with administration bloat and a nasty case of grievance studies tax.

[@peteyoung3124]

I got into 1 of 7 and have to pay tuition, no funding offered. My GRE was average but my GPA was high. Grad school is tough

[@Ninjafossils]

No offense. But never EVER accept a position at a grad school that isn’t funded, or doesn’t waive the tuition. You aren’t just there to do research, you are part of the faculty. You’re essentially paying them to work.

[@DStabs720]

Grad school is the most miserable experience by far

[@thatsreallyamoon]

Oh my god do not do unfunded physics grad school. Never ever ever ever ever ever. It's a shit ton of work, you're going to be working your ass off becoming smarter and carrying out labor for professors. You should never be paying to work yourself, wtf.

[@timothystudies2753]

I go to University of Michigan but I got a full ride to Michigan State University, wish you wouldve came to Michigan :(

[@alexcastel2244]

higher mathematics Same

[@danielalandaverde]

Yajas Malhotra I got rejected. Decisions came out today.

[@Blktxdom2004]

I can relate...My Alma Mater rejected me; I then went to Purdue Global...which also rejected me; I finally got accepted at Colorado Technical University and at the same time American International University was trying to convince me. I agree with the rejection letters issue, grew tired with CTU and AIU fighting over me then took the acceptance from CTU...even if AIU objected. I am halfway through the graduate courses at CTU. I have 3.57 GPA and doing well.

[@reactorfour1682]

Coming back to this video after being accepted into 1/8 universities for my undergrad is certainly interesting. (I only got accepted into that university because I had auto-admission because I suck)

[@vintageguitars337]

Brother, You already have a masters degree! Only 8% of The US have that degree. U are already an extremely bright guy!

[@NickKartha]

5:00 that was a really nice way of putting. Glad to see rejection being taken so positively. This is a good video.

[@manuupadhyay1944]

For me, I applied to 11 PhD programs and 3 masters programs all in the top 30, because sitting in India, I had no idea how to go about it. I got rejected from all of the PhD programs. But I did get accepted at 2 out of 3 masters programs, for math... while receiving the rejection emails, I kept saying to myself “I need a yes from only one place, any one place” and that helped, I guess. I had a roller coaster of feelings throughout the time I was receiving those letters. In India, it’s pretty simple, if you don’t get an email by the deadline, you’re not selected. They don’t do personal rejection letters...

[@drawingwithstress]

Just asking for general knowledge, what subject did you major in? What was your track record like in undergrad and masters? (Cgpa) Also how many research internships did you do? How was your relationship with your recommenders? And where did you study in India? (If it's not too personal)

[@everettmeekins1582]

Sorry about NC State. I am going there for undergraduate right now, and I have been able to meet a lot of physics grad students (through labs, tutorial center, etc.) and it would have been cool to know that you were going there as well and possibly meet you!

[@chrislegended6551]

I don´t know you but i commend you for sharing ur rejection letters with us.Failure is something really difficult to deal with personally, not even mentioning opening up about it.

[@zp883]

I was devastated when I got rejected from my dream school but ended up finding a much better fit. THINGS IN LIFE HAPPEN FOR A REASON. TRUST THE PROCESS

[@siqiliu6623]

It seems to me that have specific recommendation letters is probably the most key part of getting into a PhD. I applied to 1 school for my PhD, in retrospect it was a really risky move, but I was extremely close with a professor who was also the PhD director, (one of my favorite exchanges involved borrowing a book from her and then she threatening to never talk to me again if I didn't return it on time) but I guess that meant a lot to the committees as they overlooked my low undergrad gpa(3.1). But yea, in retrospect it was a hard time for sure.

[@blakelee4555]

Just a terrified 2nd year physics student passing through.. love your channel!

[@ifrazali3052]

Same I already failed second semester math

[@Ryuuuuuk]

I also failed my first math exam. I learned so hard for my second try, that I turned to be a math guru. I also learned to learn smarter, which was more important. Never give up and try to improve your learning.

[@stylisticsguy3746]

Here I am facing to be a super senior and already debating my own dropout....we don’t choose the way we live but we gotta make the most of it🙏🏽Congratulations to everyone in the comments that have made something of themselves just keep doing what you do and set an example for the future generations.

[@masontdoyle]

This semester I'm going to be applying to graduate school for mathematics. My goal is to apply to as many as I possibly can. Statistically someone, somewhere should accept me 😂.

[@masontdoyle]

Update: I'm proud to say I've been accepted to the University of Missouri for Mathematics. The method worked! Lol!

[@masontdoyle]

@@littlecousin5630 I am in no way an expert, but after a year of graduate school this is my advice: 1) If you can, be a tutor or teaching assistant at your University. More than likely you'll be a T.A. in graduate school so it will prepare you. 2) If able, do undergraduate research of some kind. This will give you a taste of what research is like and it is a great resume builder. 3) Find out when all the important tests are like GRE's. Study for them. 4) Don't fear the hard classes like Analysis or Abstract Algebra. Every mathematician worth their salt had to get past those classes so just study hard and understand that it's part of the ride. 5) Just love math. If you really love it then it will come across authenticity when you apply for graduate schools. I believe the strongest part of my resume to graduate school was my statement of purpose because I genuinely loved math and wanted to help others understand it to. Think about why you are doing this, and let that propel you.

[@arthurchadwick1468]

Great video Andrew. Very genuine content

[@elevated_engineering6515]

Well. So I'm depressed again. But your video did give me some hope. I've had so many grad school rejection letters at this point, that they don't even hurt (as much ) anymore.

[@elevated_engineering6515]

@Right from Wrong I'm only applying to 3 schools this time around. 2 are already out, third one goes out early next month. So yayy...

[@xxIluvyouguysxx]

I’ve had 2 rejections for counseling in 2 years. (One of mine was from NC State too lol) Feels like I’ll never be a counselor. This made me feel a little better. :)

[@Pyroguy92]

Just wanna say I've been watching your vids for 2 years or so and it's really awesome and incredibly helpful that you've taken the time to share all this on youtube. I'm scrambling now to get applications done for various astrophysics programs for 2021. Graduated in 2017 with BS in physics but then a number of wild cards were thrown at me and for the last 3 yrs I've ended up doing astroparticle physics research for a DoE/NSF funded experiment at Stanford. The one thing I've been needing is a GRE subject score, but for one reason or another, never took the test. Finally got prepared and reserved my seat to take it in April of this year, but of course Covid came in and decimated any chance of that happening. Most, if not all, programs I'm looking at are now making the GRE optional this year. I'm still nervous it will be a huge mark against me, but I'm remaining somewhat hopeful that my super wacky trajectory and experience will pique someone's interest.

[@VMTDesign]

Was rejected from a bachelor's programming that feels like I've been trying to get into forever. I'm salty af.

[@darknite059]

MIT told me headass I want my money back

[@allennobody99]

Applied to 9 PhD math programs two years ago and was rejected by 4 of them.

[@justinw8370]

If you truly “regretted” denying my application, you would reach out to me and change your mind about your decision 😂

[@mr.meeseeks6549]

It would be pretty funny if you applied to Harvard or MIT and ended up getting into those schools instead of these school who lucked out on you lol

[@rbnlenin]

Yo, thanks so much for doing this. I felt so incredibly sucky not getting into my main choices for my math PhD. This makes me feel less sucky.

[@jesseg6890]

I suppose am 1 for 1, I honestly didn't expect to get into the graduate program at my university but I suppose it does help that I also recieved my Bachelor's degree from the same university that I am now conducting my graduate studies in. Little did I know how much writing there is when working on a thesis lol glad you were able to get accepted into a graduate college however! I would have been completely discouraged after the second rejection letter. This just goes to show that perseverance can take you a long way.

[@deyvismejia7529]

Oh man I don’t even know what schools I want to be rejected by for microbio, gotta make a list

[@tristanhopf6204]

This hurt me emotionally

[@anshude4348]

You rock brother-man 🔥 A college decision can't and doesn't decide your self worth and future. PERIOD.

[@bryanbrydred5599]

Reading this in senior year of high school to increase my anxiety of not getting into University period

[@chemiflask7692]

I am sorry, you are a great guy and really motivated, you will succeed just don't give up

[@apurva845]

I am applying for Chemistry PhD programs for fall 19 , can see the same thing happening hopefully get into at least 1

[@awildmoosey]

Good luck!

[@MrInzombia]

How did it go?

[@apurva845]

@@MrInzombia got rejected working in a research lab now will apply again

[@nateb.1568]

"Dear Mr. Dotson, lol no". That cracked me up xD

[@randomistmech]

My application process was a bit different. My academic record probably didn't support me being a good PhD student (OK it definitely didn't), but I applied at the request of an academic who was my "tutor" - basically a support position for small groups of undergrads. I expressed that I didn't have a clear view of what I wanted to do after my undergrad, and he suggested a PhD, of which he was a named supervisor. The lead academic was a Reader, someone undergrads do not come into contact with unless the Reader chooses it, and I spent a day with him. 2 weeks later I got a phone call asking if I could start within a month. It wasn't long before I found out why it was so easy. I had to supervise a group of engineering masters students, apparently a quite high scoring bunch. But useless wouldn't even come close. I think 3 months of a PhD taught me more than 4 years of Bachelors and Masters Engineering degrees. Being a good engineering student (and I think those are rare) means being a bit of a generalist. I demonstrated aptitude for specialty, a prerequisite for a PhD. I now spend my time at the cutting edge, generalizing my specialist skills at specialist level. I should add, my PhD was far from easy, even for a PhD in a challenging subject. Both of my supervisors quit, leaving me as a lone entity for a year. Luckily a world renowned expert in my field saw some potential in me and decided to work with me. He really inspired me and we did some pretty significant things in our field.... maybe in a few years someone will notice the significance of some of our more exciting findings. I'm well sighted for the minor increments, but the leaps seem to be ignored.

[@me0101001000]

Does anyone have experience in getting rejected from every school you applied to? How did you cope? And how did you prepare for the next round of applications?

[@bennyksmusicalworld]

You’re not alone man. I’m an international student and I was applying to boarding schools in the fall of ‘18 as a 9th grader and I got waitlisted from half of my schools and rejected from the other half. I ended up going to a junior boarding school for ‘18-‘19 (basically a middle school but with a 9th grade program) as a 9th grader, spent a year there, and applied again for 10th, this time with an increased resume and more US education experience. That time around, I got into two of my top schools! I’m so happy to say that I am attending one in Massachusetts now. Bottom line: patience and persistence pays off. Hang in there!!

[@jwenting]

hey, at least you heard something... Most job applications I've written the company never even bothered to send a rejection at all. Worst though must have one one company that sent me a rejection letter reading "based on our interview with you on tuesday XXXX we have decided not to hire you". That letter was posted the friday PRIOR to the interview, and was waiting in my mailbox when I came home from the interview. I called the company, spoke to the interviewer, and he was unpleasantly surprised as he'd just suggested to HR they hire me.

[@wadimzeller8518]

its a conspiracy!

[@brikabrok606]

I m actually applying for multiple PhD in physics this semester. Can't watch it, I ll come back again when I ll get it ahah.

[@SS-tu6kc]

I got back rejection letters for 6 of the 7 programs I applied to this week, including my first choice who a few weeks earlier were actively scouting me. Like ouch. But hey it is what it is, gotta keep moving forward build that CV up and see about applying again for next year :) pro tip, look into how admissions is done for your program. I wasn’t aware that a few of the programs were rolling admissions so submitting late really hurt my chances of getting in

[@winsomehax]

I like the one that says in the subject of the email "your application has been declined". Don't make me read down while you try and look nice "we regret" - just tell me right up front and then make it clear you wish me the best afterwards.

[@Liktor67]

All I did was send an email to my current professor pretty much just asking if I could do a PhD in his group and he agreed. That's how I got into a PhD program. Well, I had met a Postdoc from his group and the guy had also put in a good word for me, I think.

[@kazeemzul4271]

I didn't even get a reply

[@zackarynay6445]

Wish this guy had the amount of subscribers he deserves!

[@ChristoherWGray]

He deserves all two

[@ANUPAM337]

I applied to 5 college for this fall for PhD in Physics Education and I have received 3 rejections already. Damn it's so draining 😭 But I really appreciate the way you explained their side of the story. 2 more results to come. I keep checking grad cafe and Physics GRE forum every 4 hours.

[@bangzofafrica]

Anupam Raj , which school rejected you?

[@ANUPAM337]

@@bangzofafrica UIUC, UBC, Cornell and University of Colorado Boulder. Purdue is still pending.

[@xXMATTPHILLIPSXx]

I just got rejected from NC State today, all it said was the physics department did not recommend you for admission and the dean supports their decision and it was signed by the dean. I think a simple "lol no" would have been sufficient there.

[@AndrewDotsonvideos]

Sorry to hear, hopefully you get some good news soon!

[@xXMATTPHILLIPSXx]

@@AndrewDotsonvideos Thanks man.

[@HariprashadRavikumar]

Sorry to hear about that. I strongly hope you'll surely get selected in other top schools. Be confident! Actually, Me too applied for NCSU Physics Grad school this year. May I know which Research Group or Professor you mentioned in the application & candidate statement? Your reply may help me.

[@xXMATTPHILLIPSXx]

@@HariprashadRavikumar I mentioned a few for astrophysics: Drs Frohlich, Mack, and Bordoloi. I've got 6 other applications to still hear back from so I'm gonna try to hold my head up high until I hear from all of them.

[@HariprashadRavikumar]

@@xXMATTPHILLIPSXx good luck ! Be confident!

[@dukeyin1111]

Haha, I got into my current school last year as well. Rejection letters were harsh... harsh. I can't forget that acceptance moment when I was in the local Dunkin' Donuts studying at 2 AM. The worst rejection was from the MIT physics dpt. I do not know if they do this every year; they did not even bother sending out rejection letters :/ Basically, they posted on their website long after... "if you got in, you know you heard back, if not, sorry." Not exactly how they phrased it, but in a nutshell...

[@galenseilis5971]

Tell us more about how you worked to become a better student during those 6 months.

[@austinwilding1602]

The truth of the matter is, a lot of the time the top applicants are literally in a wash where they just kind of get in by the luck of the draw. My undergrad program I got into had 27,000 applicants and a historical acceptance rate of ~15%, but with the huge amount of applicants, my year only had an acceptance rate of 8.6%. Knowing this low rate, there were plenty of well qualified and just in general great students that couldn't get in because they just didn't luck into one of the admissions spots and I did. That is life though.

[@rewrose2838]

Dear Mr.Dotson, Have you ever had a dimensional crisis? -I bet your father did- (Does being a Dotson condemn you to a life of dimensional inferiority?)

[@nutcrackerscrack9861]

Being rejected is like “it’s not you, it’s me”.

[@jhjet510]

Andrew, your videos are fantastic! I don't know what your scores were, but from what I can see, those schools made a mistake rejecting you. Back when I was a physics student, I was rejected from U.Wisconsin so I went to Penn State. After a year, I decided my real calling was in optics so I transferred to the College of Optical Sciences at U. AZ where I got my Ph.D and was later a professor. Good luck at NMSU...I think that you'll do well!

[@someguy3987]

Come study in Canada one day

[@morgengabe1]

The bureaucracy was strong in that second letter

[@nicomcmahon2491]

whenever they say "we wish you success in your search for a graduate program" I always think, lol no u don't

[@pipertripp]

Did grad school in Tucson. Hated it, dropped out and became a programmer. Best move I ever made. I got into UofA but got rejected at CSU (Colorado). The latter because they really didn't have a good advisor for me.