Asking Schools on Rejection Feedback

[Ludacris3434]

Whelp,  we all hate to see it arrive but I received that first dreaded "rejection" letter.  But trying turn lemons into lemonade I was hoping to get information from admissions committee on "why?" to help me in the future and with other schools/applications. 

 

Anyone with  thoughts, advice, and/or experience with  on asking ADCOMMS of schools they were rejected from for information?

 

Thanks

[mtnpa]

Usually most schools have a policy about that. Typically some ask to wait until the application Cycle is over to ask but never any harm to email and ask!

[wktk222]

The way I see it, is that you're already rejected, so what is the worst that can happen?

Just be polite and send them an email about why you were rejected and how you can better prepare for the next cycle.

Worst comes the worst, they'll just ignore your email :)

[Ludacris3434]

The way I see it, is that you're already rejected, so what is the worst that can happen?

Just be polite and send them an email about why you were rejected and how you can better prepare for the next cycle.

Worst comes the worst, they'll just ignore your email :)

Yeah thats pretty much the mentality i had

In case anyone wondering I did email them. They must have been in the process of reviewing/sending out emails because i shockingly got a response in like 10min.  It was mostly "stock" rejection filler, with a few quasi helpful lines.  All in all, glad i did it and will send out a similar email if i get another rejection. (though fingers crossed I get offered a seat soon and will no longer have to worry about it)

[tmac12]

Whelp,  we all hate to see it arrive but I received that first dreaded "rejection" letter.  But trying turn lemons into lemonade I was hoping to get information from admissions committee on "why?" to help me in the future and with other schools/applications. 

 

Anyone with  thoughts, advice, and/or experience with  on asking ADCOMMS of schools they were rejected from for information?

 

Thanks

 

holy crap, when did you apply? I haven't received anything yet

[optimistic3]

I tried this with 2 schools last year and they both ignored me, even the school that explicitly said they would give feedback. oh well

[MT2PA]

I tried this with 2 schools last year and they both ignored me, even the school that explicitly said they would give feedback. oh well

 

It's unfortunate that one told you they would give feedback and didn't.  In general, asking for feedback never hurts but it's hard for a program to offer feedback to all the applicants they reject when sometimes that number is near 2000.  Some schools just refuse feedback altogether, some will offer it just to those that interview, and some just do whatever they want with no rhyme or reason.

 

Ask, but know that getting an answer shouldn't be expected.  Sometimes the only reason is that you just weren't as good as the other candidates applying that cycle.