So, you didn’t get in. What next?
It’s a tough pill to swallow—you’ve worked hard all throughout high school, put in countless hours on your college applications and dreamed of the day you would receive that acceptance letter. But now, you’ve received the news you’ve been dreading—you didn’t get in.
by Cait Tysoe in collaboration with OpenAI // February 6th, 2022
It’s natural to feel disappointed, frustrated, and even a little lost in this situation. But don’t despair! There are still plenty of options available to you. Here are some things to consider if you’re facing decision season with no acceptance letters:
Reassess your priorities.
One of the first things you should do if you don’t get into any of the colleges to which you applied is reassess your priorities. You still have plenty of options, which we’ll lay out for you below, but it’s important to consider both your values and long-term goals before selecting which route to take. Is your goal to enter into a 4-year university no matter what? Or, would you rather reapply to your dream school after a gap year or some time at a community college?
Research schools that are still accepting applications.
If you didn’t get into any of the colleges you applied to, it’s not too late to apply to other schools. If you decide that your priority is enrolling in a 4-year university, there are many that offer rolling admissions, late spring deadlines or even summer deadlines for spring semester enrollment.
Consider a gap year.
If you’re not sure what to do after high school and you didn’t get into any of the colleges you applied to, you might want to consider taking a gap year. A gap year is a year off between high school and college, during which you can take a break from academics, travel, work, or pursue other interests. Taking a gap year can be a great way to gain new experiences, explore new interests, and recharge before reapplying to college. As a small plus: gap years are fantastic opportunities for personal growth and can contribute towards fabulous application essays!
Explore alternative education options.
If you didn’t get into any of the colleges you applied to and you’re not interested in taking a gap year, you might want to consider alternative education options. These options include online colleges, community colleges, and vocational schools. Online colleges offer a range of academic programs that can be completed entirely online, while community colleges offer a range of academic programs at a lower cost than traditional four-year colleges. Vocational schools, also known as trade schools, offer specialized training in a particular field, such as healthcare, automotive repair, or culinary arts. These options can be a great way to continue your education without breaking the bank.
Seek out support and guidance.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure of what to do after high school, it can be helpful to seek out support and guidance. Talk to your parents, guidance counselor, a trusted teacher or even an educational consultant about your options and how you can move forward.
Consider Clearing
For those of you applying to the UK, all is not lost! Clearing takes place after UK exam results are published in the summer. It allows students who were rejected or don’t meet their offers to reapply for certain courses. There are often last minute places available at highly regarded universities. We’ll be identifying our top picks this year in our Clearing blog, so keep an eye out for that in the summer.
Keep an open mind.
Finally, it’s important to keep an open mind and stay positive if you didn’t get into any of the colleges you applied to. Remember that there are plenty of options available to you, and you have the power to shape your own future. Don’t let this setback hold you back – keep working hard and stay focused on your goals, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving success.