How to Deal with Getting Rejected from UWC

If you didn't get accepted into UWC, it's not the end of the world.

[catarinaserra]

I got rejected 2 years in a row :") I mean, the first year I applied I got rejected on the first phase, and now I got rejected on the second phase. Honestly, I'm so glad I got rejected. I felt so bad after the weekend with other participants because I realized that I don't know myself really well, and, because of this, I wasn't able to express the real me and my opinions. I think this was a chance for me to realize how much I still have to reflect about myself, and also to accept that I take a while to assimilate everything. I'm trying to understand myself better, but I still have next year to apply and I hope that, at the time, I have more self knowledge than right now

[Palindrome]

Just to add my two cents and disclaimer I also now work for my NC

In 2015 I got rejected but was accepted second time to UWCCR (2016) but hey ho the NC didn't have enough money and my parents could also not fund it (them tuition fees hella ridiculous). So i just graduated regular public school in my country, which is not terrible. I now study law and global studies at a top University in my country.

While I still wish that I could have attended UWC, and I bet all of us rejects do, I just want to tell you that there is more to life and your educational fulfillment outside of UWC. I'm still friends with the people I applied with, and I know two of them who haven't gone onto go to Uni and many who wish they didn't go. But more importantly, I think what I got out of the experience is a network of people, whether or not they got in or not, who share the same values as you do. I grew up in a pretty isolated area, and even being able to find that place and that group of people was a great experience. So don't lose hope. There are some things in life that don't work out, and it really hurts, but I also know people who have been rejected from UWC to go on and do amazing things - so don't lose heart and don't beat yourself up for any outcome.

From someone who works with the NC now, the main problem is we don't have enough money to send students, so if you can't go its likely this reason, you are not alone :Z

[Miruka_]

Hi Lydia, I passed some phases but eventually got rejected. I have wanted to go to UWC since I was 11, it has always been a dream for me. I was really close to achieving it and that is what makes me sad. I have always won in life, winning awards and great grades, so failing for the first time is quite a shock for me. I still have the chance to apply next year so I will think about that opportunity. I think that maybe during this year I could work on improving myself so that next year I could get in. For anyone reading this comment that has also been rejected just remember, you are not alone in this process. I know it can be sad to look at those UWC vlogs, watching people live your dream life, but remember, for that one person to get in many more have been rejected. There are many more people out there going through this. UWC does not define your worth, value and success. What is meant for you will simply come. Maybe this rejection leads you to another opportunity. You have your entire life ahead, try to remain optimistic even though it hurts. I wish you the best of luck in your journey.

[lois]

I know this is a pretty late comment but I guess people are still watching this video so whatever. I just want to thank you so much for posting this, it is really needed and got me through my rejection. I'm now studying in UWC Mostar after getting rejected once, and honestly UWC is too romanticized. Don't get me wrong, I love UWCiM with all my heart and I won't trade it away for anything. But for everyone else, please take into consideration that UWC is not perfect, and coming here will only force you to confront your struggles - even the mildest ones. But in the end, you will get to take away so many wonderful things. And if you end up not getting in, trust me, it's completely fine too. There are so many more amazing places where you can shine and inspire other people, and you get to keep your comfort zone as well :)

[soficar]

I did not get in. And I did not get the chance to apply the following year. I cannot write this without crying, I swear I was myself, I was honest and I was really devastated.
I thought there was something wrong with me, and sometimes I still doubt myself.

[parmi]

i just got my rejection letter today, thanks this helped :D
-guyss its okay to be rejected it be like that sometimes huhu T-T i love you all <3

[saj]

I just got rejected because I think I really screwed up my zoom interview and said things like wanting to go to Oxford which i actually don’t want to.I think the main reason is that my national committee really cares about grades, but I don’t think they define how smart you are. I really should have expressed myself better during the interview. Thank you so much for this, it was really comforting ❤️

[wasborntobe]

This video helped me a lot. Thank you very much for what you are doing. I really felt much better after watching it. It was necessary for me. Unbelievably. I love you, thanks.

[nawalkheiri]

Thank you so much for this video, it made me feel so much better after I got rejected in the second round.
Love to anyone who is irritated because they didn't make it, it's ok, you're still special ❤

[hobgobbler]

I got my interview two days ago, and I really flopped it (I guess). Currently, I'm considering the possibility of being rejected. Your video really helped me a lot :)

[sr]

hello! i just got rejected on my last round today! thankyou so much for making this video, i know a lot of people rejected from the same round as me who watch this video too! it really helped a lot even after two years you published it! 💓💓

- lots of love!!

[autumncatherine]

I just found out that I got rejected… after four strait months of writing and re reading the application. I had UWC alum read it, and amazing references. Sometimes the decision is out of your control but you just have to trust that whatever happens happens and is meant to be

[shannnnn]

i got rejected around around February and was devastated at first as I couldn’t really see how i didn’t get in. but after reflecting on what went well in my interviews and what i could’ve improved on, even after receiving my assessment feedback, I had only made the slightest error and they emphasized how they’d really want me to reapply again this year for class of 2025’ as I’d have a much stronger chance of getting accepted. Even though the mistake was small, i can definitely see how it would’ve effected my interviews and i’m glad that they even want me to give it a second go, and i feel much more confident to hopefully applying again. For anyone looking to reapply, if you can, go ask your NC on Assessment feedback and try to correct those mistakes you could’ve made that held you back and come to the interview process feeling much more confident and knowledgeable than before! you’ve got this :)

[银银河-xl]

i was not accepted last year and it really did made me furious, sad and useless regarding all the efforts i put in but it also made me realize my flaws to which made me apply this year again with fresh energy and new thoughts. ongoing.<3

[kinrateia]

Thank you so much for making this video. I had this problem with having to cope with the fact of rejection from great programmes, and it's hard. Knowing that someone is there to support you is really wonderful. I'm not dealing with somethinglike this right now, yet this video made me feel so loved and inspired me a lot, and that's exactly what I needed at the end of my really bad day. Thank you again, Lydia.

[georgejoseph]

I got into UWCSEA this week i was looking at your channel for your tips, and I was super suprised you made this after you got in. Sorry to all those who did not get in....

[ana-mariagroza]

I had received partially funded scholarship but had to reject it due to my parents’ financial background. We didn’t have any option to say because they didn’t request anything like that before nominations and the national committee told us that this was all the financial help we could ever get :(

[zarifrahman]

Yeah I got to know I didn't get in 4 days ago and I was thinking these 4 days why was I feeling so sad as I kinda knew competition was really tough being a candidate who needed full scholarship and with my luck chances were I might not get in. And watching your video made me realize why, when you are investing so much energy and time into researching, giving your best and putting so much effort into the application form, group activities and interview and still dont get in ig you are bound to feel sad. Thank you Lydia your video really helped ❤️

[Darya]

im having my final round in a week and getting prepared mentally. not being pessimistic, but after receiving an invitation to the final round ive been daydreaming all the time about how i would be going to each school, planning my day, etc. and i just feel that i might have already set my expectations too high and i better not focus on it that much yet.
thank you so much for your words, they are actually so true, its hard to see how many other opportunities are around when you get rejected, but there will bw always something for you

[opbspfi]

Just got rejected. It's really difficult to cope with it because it kind of was my dream (even though I can try to apply tge next year) and I have no motivation to do anything, but I hope it's going to be better soon. Also, now I know how UWC works, so, maybe, next time I will work better