9 Tips to Overcome Scholarship Rejection: A Personal Experience

Hello and welcome to Instanters.

I explained in my previous article that if you're a student looking to fund your international education, scholarships can be a great way to do so. You can read the article here.

There is a major challenge to winning your first international scholarship and that is no other than a scholarship rejection. Scholarship rejection is a common occurrence and can be a major setback for students.

More so, the feeling of putting your best foot forward, submitting the perfect application, and then being turned down can be discouraging.

But, it's important to remember that rejection is not the end of the world, and there are ways to bounce back and stay motivated.

So if you are feeling discouraged after being rejected for a scholarship similar to my experience in 2016/2017 and you feel like you are done with your scholarship pursuit, here are some dope tips I followed to overcome scholarship rejection:

Number #1 Take some time to process your feelings

Scholarship rejection can be tough, and it's okay to take some time to process your feelings. Believe me, I passed through the same. The feeling of not being good enough for a scholarship that you experience after a rejection can eat the good part of you up in no time.

My six rejections came from:

• Commonwealth Scholarships for Developing Countries (master's in geography and rural development, KNUST-Ghana);
• Commonwealth Shared Scholarships (master's in environmental science, University of Aberdeen-Scotland);
•  Singapore International Graduate Awards (PhD in environmental science and technology, Nanyang Technological University-Singapore);
• MasterCard Foundation Scholarships (master's in environment and development, University of Edinburgh-Scotland);
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJMD) in Geospatial Technologies (Europe); and 
• Kind Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (master's in environmental science, KFUPM-Saudi Arabia).

I almost wept each time I got each rejection and my body temperature spiked sporadically. I allowed myself to feel what it wanted to feel - disappointment, disdain, negative energy to continue applying. But I didn't dwell on it for too long. I sooner survived.

Having been rejected by six different scholarship programs I adored at heart before my first-ever international graduate scholarship win, my golden piece of advice is to never allow the rejection(s) to spill over your new plans.

So you should know I felt what you feel. You need to allow yourself to feel disappointed too but just don't dwell on it more than needed. Take a day or two to be upset, a week at most, a month if that helps the negative energy to be dissipated, but not more, and then move on. Remember, there are plenty of other opportunities out there for you.

Number #2 Don't take it personally

Again, it's easy to take scholarship rejection personally, especially if you feel like you did everything right, supposedly.

However, it's important to remember that scholarship committees receive a large number of applications and have to make tough decisions. More importantly, the selection process can be competitive, and sometimes it comes down to factors beyond your control.

So your application may have been great, but it may not have been what they were looking for. It is also possible you almost made it to the list of successful winners but other applicants in a way out-competed you. And there could be a bunch of other reasons.

Remember, scholarship rejection doesn't define your worth or potential. It was never, is never, and will never be a reflection of your full worth as a person or your academic abilities.

Number #3 Keep applying

I was stubborn when I was applying for scholarships. I took scholarship success as my lifeline; it was either I won an international graduate scholarship or it was the end of my educational pursuit.

I had rules and I stuck to them. I had a benchmark to apply for at least ten (10) graduate scholarships abroad and I ended up applying for 8. I abandoned the 9th application midway after I got my first win. A couple of my friends applied to more than 30 graduate scholarships and got multiple wins too.

Thus, don't let one rejection discourage you from applying for the same, as well as other scholarships. Keep searching for opportunities and applying to as many as you can. Your profile will match a scholarship one day and your tenacity will pay off.


Number #4 Ask for feedback

If the scholarship committee provides feedback on your application, take it to heart. It is a learning opportunity. They may have some valuable insights on how you can improve your application for future opportunities. It’s normal to be angry when the rejection first hits you. Don’t ignore their feedback.

If they don't provide feedback, don't be afraid to reach out and ask. However, keep in mind that they may not have the time or resources to provide feedback to every applicant. Move on. Use the feedback to improve your application for future scholarships.

Number #5 Look for other opportunities

If scholarships aren't panning out, consider other ways to fund your education. Scholarship rejection doesn't mean the end of your search for funding. Look for other scholarship opportunities or consider alternative ways to fund your education

Alternative ways to fund your education can include external grants, country of nationality funding programs, work-study programs, bursaries, or student loans (though it’s not advisable especially if you are African). A couple of my former colleagues at undergraduate, friends, and pals secured their international through one or more combinations of these alternatives.

Don't give up on your dreams just because of one rejection or the other. They are part of what will reshape your next set of prospects and believe me rejections can open a new class of opportunities that were earlier implicit to you.

Number #6 Refine your application

Take the feedback you received and use it to refine your application for future opportunities. If the scholarship committee didn't provide feedback from a current or past awardee of the same scholarship.

You can ask someone you trust, like a colleague or co-researcher, or a prolific professor in your current or former university, to review your application and provide feedback.

Make sure you're highlighting your strengths and accomplishments, and tailor your application to each scholarship opportunity you apply for.


Number #7 Reflect, regroup, and connect with others

Join student groups or online communities to connect with other students who are also facing scholarship rejection. Share your experiences and support each other through the process. The benefits of this approach to winning a graduate scholarship can never be overemphasized.

Rub minds with successful scholarship winners and unsuccessful scholarship applicants and you will learn valuable lessons from both groups.

Take some time to reflect on your goals and how you can achieve them. Maybe you need to adjust your targets or add something new to your CV. Regroup and come back stronger.

Another benefit of regrouping, in addition to learning what others have to say about their rejections, is how they plan to overcome their rejections. What ultimately leads to your rejection may be what you never imagined could line up with it.


Number #8 Focus on your goals

As I demonstrated earlier, scholarship rejection can be discouraging, but it's important to remember why you're pursuing your international education in the first place.

Focus on your goals and what you want to achieve. Always remember that setbacks are a part of the journey and that persistence and resilience are key to achieving success.

Number #9 Stay positive and motivated

Staying motivated after scholarship rejection can be difficult; I can’t deny it. Don't let rejection bring you down though. Stay positive and focused on your goals.

Re-energize your objectives and mind you, only you can do that. Remember that every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow. Here are some tips:

• Set new goals: Set new goals for yourself, whether they're academic, personal, or professional. Having something to work towards can help you stay motivated and focused.
• Surround yourself with positivity: Surround yourself with positive people and things that uplift you. Whether it's spending time with supportive friends and family or listening to inspiring music, make sure you're surrounding yourself with positivity.
• Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is important for your mental health and well-being. Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking time to do things you enjoy.
• Visualize success: Visualize yourself succeeding in your academic and personal goals. Visualizing success can help you stay motivated and focused on achieving your dreams.

Conclusion

You may ask, 'What then do I gain after implementing these tips and strategies?'.

Well, everything you've read up to this point are based on my real and personal experience. What more, I won two international fully-funded master's scholarships and fortunately, I enjoyed both, namely:

• African Graduate Fellowship (master's degree in sustainable development, American University in Cairo-Egypt); and

• Saudi Ministry of Education International Postgraduate Scholarship (master's degree in hydrology and water resources management, King Abdulaziz University-Saudi Arabia).

So, if I can, you can!

Take-home points

Scholarship rejection can be a tough pill to swallow and discouraging, but it's important to:

• remember it's not the end of the world;

• not take it personally

• take some time to feel your heartbreak and allow it to dissipate safely;

• keep pushing forward;

• stay motivated and bounce back from rejection;

• remember that there are plenty of opportunities out there waiting for you;

• never give up until you win that scholarship because winners don't.

With more perseverance, you can achieve your goals. Keep your chin up, and good luck!

Edit:

My Profile (at the time of all scholarship applications)

Degree(s): BSc Geography (Physical Geography option)
University: Obafemi Awolowo University-Nigeria, 2015

Class of Degree: Second Class (Upper Division)
Final CGPA: 4.06 of 5.00

GRE: None

SAT: None
GMAT: None
TOEFL: 90/120

IELTS: None
Publication: None

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