Why Do Colleges Reject Outstanding Applicants?
Colleges have steadily released admissions decisions over the past few months, with another wave of notifications expected in January. According to the Common Application’s Trends and Insights, published December 9, 2024, 5,393,569 applications were submitted by the December 1 deadline, marking an overall increase from previous years. Many colleges have reported record-breaking application numbers, including Duke, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Rice, Northwestern, the University of Georgia, Tennessee, the University of Texas, and the University of Virginia. With this surge in applications, more rejections are anticipated as competition for spots grows increasingly fierce, notably at the “big” Southern universities and the public and private “new Ivies.”
While college rejections are painful for sure, understanding the reasons colleges reject applicants can help students maintain a healthier perspective and by extension, a more adaptive response. Basically, there are three main reasons colleges reject students: 1) a student was not a qualified applicant, 2) institutional priorities, and 3) supply and demand.
ONE: A student was not a qualified applicant
With access to plentiful data and resources to help students build balanced college lists, students should be able to predict the likelihood of admittance to the colleges they apply to. Whether due to a robust applicant pool or grade inflation, the fact is that many applicants to competitive colleges will have straight A’s and certainly no C’s. It is wise for students not in the top tier of their high school class to temper their expectations when applying to the most selective colleges, i.e., those that admit fewer than 20% of applicants.
Pro Tip 💡Read Creating a Balanced College List: Reach, Target, and Likely Defined to learn more about what constitutes a balanced college list.
TWO: Institutional Priorities
Rejection from a dream college may feel personal, but it is not. It’s about the college and what they are looking for—i.e., their institutional priorities. While colleges know precisely what they want beyond high GPA, academic rigor, strong test scores, extracurricular activities, demonstrated leadership, quality essays, etc., you do not.
Do they want more students from rural communities? More humanities majors? Greater diversity? A quarterback? First-generation students? A VIP? Who knows? Whatever it is, if you don’t satisfy an institutional priority, that is not a reflection of the quality of your application, who you are as a person, or your potential for future success. It is a business decision, plain and simple.
One thing is certain: If your outstanding application was rejected, trying to figure out why is a waste of time and energy.
THREE: Supply and Demand
Highly selective colleges are reaping the rewards of increasing demand for their somewhat static supply (think scarcity and its association with prestige). While data suggest that demand is up, supply is not: highly selective colleges get way more qualified candidates than they can admit. Think about it: there are approximately 25,000* high schools in the United States, meaning that every college admissions cycle may contain 25,000 valedictorians and another 25,000 salutatorians. While we have no way of knowing where the 50,000 students graduating at the very top of their high school classes will apply to college, it is not a stretch to infer that several will apply to the nation’s most selective colleges. By way of example, if Stanford admits about 2,000 students per year, I’d venture to guess that the vast majority of their admits come from the top 5% of the class. That’s the math.
*National Center for Education Statistics
Moving Forward After Rejection: Ten Healthy Ways to Deal with Rejection
Rejection is brutal, but it isn’t the end—it’s part of the journey called life. Whether personal, professional, or related to college admissions, facing rejection can feel overwhelming. Since rejection or failure is inevitable in a life well-lived, it's essential to recognize that rejection does not define your future. Below are ten healthy ways to deal with rejection.
ONE: Believe in Yourself
Rejection can trigger feelings of self-doubt, but it’s important to remember that an external decision does not define your abilities or worth. Take a step back and reflect on your strengths, achievements, and the unique qualities that set you apart. Remind yourself that setbacks are part of the journey, not a measure of value.
TWO: Practice Self-Compassion
Try not to let an impersonal decision influence your sense of self-worth and self-esteem. While rejection stings, coping in a healthy, adaptive way starts with treating yourself with kindness. Rather than beating yourself up, speak to yourself as you would to a friend going through a similar situation. Be gentle with yourself and give yourself permission to feel disappointed without being overly harsh on yourself. Self-compassion can help you bounce back faster and move forward with a positive and resilient mindset.
THREE: Seek Support from Loved Ones
Independence has its place, but so does interdependence. Talking to friends, family, or mentors can provide emotional relief and a fresh, perhaps more objective perspective. Reaching out to trusted contacts will remind you of your strengths and help you focus on the bigger picture. Simply expressing feelings can help process rejection in a healthy way.
FOUR: Let Go of What You Can’t Control
In life, many factors are beyond our control. Whether it’s the decision of a college admissions office or the dynamics of a job market, letting go of things you can’t influence helps reduce unnecessary stress. Focus on what you can control—effort, mindset, how to move forward—trusting that, with time, the right opportunities will arise.
FIVE: Focus on Possibility
While rejection may mean a door closed, it also provides the opportunity to open a new one. Instead of focusing on what didn’t happen, focus on the possibilities that lie ahead. This shift in perspective will empower you to look for alternative paths. It is not uncommon for people, in hindsight, to realize that rejection was a blessing in disguise because it redirected them toward better opportunities. While it may be difficult to see at first, trust that you have the power to get where you need to be.
SIX: Use Data to Remind You That Where You Go to College Does Not Determine Who You Will Become
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding a small percentage of highly rejective colleges and universities. However, the reality is that the college you attend does not define your potential or your future success. Many accomplished individuals attended colleges that weren’t at the top of the rankings. Your growth, resilience, and determination will shape who you become, not the name of the college you attend.
SEVEN: Reevaluate Your College List with a More Informed Understanding of What Constitutes a “Good School”
Often, we associate “good schools” with prestige, selectivity, and scarcity. However, good colleges are those that align with your personal goals, values, and needs. Reassess your college list to ensure it reflects not just prestige but factors like fit, campus culture, support systems, and academic offerings. A balanced perspective can open up more options. By being open to new opportunities, new paths and experiences become available. Stay curious and explore new opportunities, even if they weren’t part of your original plan; you never know where they may lead.
EIGHT: If You Have a Lot of Reach Schools on Your List, Reevaluate
Having a list of reach schools can feel exhilarating, but it’s essential to manage expectations. Even with stellar qualifications, the competition at highly selective institutions is intense. Reevaluate your college list to ensure a healthy mix of reach, target, and likely schools. By considering the numbers and balancing your list, feelings of control and empowerment should replace feelings of defeat.
NINE: Make Sure You Have at Least Two “Likely” Colleges on Your List
A “likely” college is one where you’re confident you’ll be accepted based on your qualifications. A strategic college list has at least two schools on colleges where the likelihood of admission is high. No matter the outcome of the more competitive applications, you’ll have solid options to choose from, reducing anxiety and uncertainty in the process.
TEN: Foster Resilience
Gen Z gets a lot of attention for its perceived lack of resilience, even being referred to as the “Loneliest, Least Resilient Demographic Alive.” A standard definition of academic resilience is an individual’s ability to overcome academic challenges that can influence educational development. Based on my observations during what is often an unhealthy college admissions environment, I think it’s likely that rejection has the potential to impact a student’s self-beliefs regarding academics and, by extension, educational outcomes. Building resilience can help offset disappointing college admissions outcomes. Furthermore, since we know that resilience is a key component of grit and that grit is positively correlated with success, more so than ability, fostering resilience is smart. Organizations such as the Mayo Clinic and UC Berkeley offer sound advice on how to build resilience, much of which is suggested above.
For more information on why colleges are rejecting increasing numbers of phenomenal applicants and anything else regarding the college admissions process, please contact me at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com
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