FAILURE!!

[Sri]

Well, Erin I guess u gotta start another forum for rejection news....Guys, even before I made my trip to visit Stanford, the admissions officer was kind enough to actually call me up and tell that my application didnot make into the acceptance list....Apparently they had 7 open positions this year and my application was in the top 10 till last week and that's the reason she asked me to come...But, just today, my file came back with a BIG REJECTION stamp and the reason being "Lack of Biology Background". When the field is an interdisciplinary one with both biology and comp.sci how can they expect everybody to be experts in both....I dont know....Inspite of me making it very clear both in my SoP and App form that I am taking biology classes right now, I guess that wasn't just enough.....I am a bit low right now as I expected really high and everyday I cross Stanford Univ's exit I used to dream of taking that exit from August....I guess this is it, I gotta accept what they say right....

Just thought that I shud let u all know,
-Sri.

[world123]

Hi Sri,
I can understand how u feel...Although I have not been making many posts..But I have been reading them for a while now...Just want to say that you are an awesome person and you have all the great things in store for you.Sometimes you lose out on small things to get bigger things....I am sure there r bigger things for you...
-nivedita

[Erin]

Hi Sri!

First of all, cheer up! Keep your goals focused on your future, not on intermediate stumbling blocks. We are all certain of two things--you will be successful, and you will be happy, and the path you take to that ultimate happiness is less important than the happiness itself. Second, take a few moments to reflect on the great success you've had so far. I can guess, and I'm pretty sure I'm right, that you are something of a "star" in your family, hometown, or school. You are still quite young and have accomplished a lot, Sri. Really, you have. And of course, the most important thing to you is probably your family, right? Third, and this is perhaps most important right now, you need to see this rejection not as reflection of your character, abilities, or worthiness, but as simply one of the possible outcomes. Almost anybody who's gone to great programs will tell you, if they have the strength of character to admit it, that they did not get into every program. So, even these people that we tend to look at as "those perfect people" are not so perfect, and well, probably many people are looking at you and thinking the same thing. In a word, everybody suffers rejection; it's simply a part of our lives. Stay focused on your goals, and you'll get there one way or another.

You should also feel flattered that you made it to the top ten, Sri. That in itself is an accomplishment. And I don't think that their selection was so much a function of what they required as what they had to choose from. In other words, maybe they don't require a biology background, but if eight or nine good candidates with strong Bio and CS backgrounds come forth, then, well, they're obliged to go with them.

Okay, that said, let's think about what you should do now. First, you should zap off an email thanking them for their time and consideration--you never know, maybe somebody will choose not to attend, and they'll ask you to join. This might be a bit unlikely, it seems, since you didn't mention anything about a waiting list, but as a policy, you should always leave people with a good "last impression." Second, you should consider your options--should you reapply next year? If so, you should try to schedule a meeting with a prof to find out whether it's a realistic possibility to be able to amass the kind of background they are looking for.

So, Sri: Keep moving forward, keep smiling, and maintain your strength, equanimity, and confidence. These are the qualities that define you, and I am confident that you will shine through in the end.

[xaero]

Hi Sri,

How true Erin is. The fact that you were in the Top 10 candidates for Stanford shows your competence and eligibility. I'm sure you'd get into an equally prestigious university or get into Stanford the next time if you're going to apply again. Good Luck.

[synthia]

Hi Sri,

I'm really sorry about what happened. But, I'm very sure that this is God's will. He has a bigger success waiting for you. So, dont u worry. I'm pretty sure that you are destned to excel. God Bless you. All the best for a very bright and colourful future.

[ttaann]

Hi Sri,

Keep on believing

Keep on trying

Keep on walking

Always succeed!!!

[raghuveer_v]

Sri, I'm really sorry I somehow missed this post.

And, It's really sad that your application has been turned down, after being so close to actually making it through.

I can imagine how it feels like, after buliding so much hope. But ultimately, I want you to come out of it and see what you should do now. IMHO, Stanford is definitely (one of the) best things that could ever happen to you, and so it's definitely worth a second try. You might want to apply for the next term, and I guess by that time, you'll have obtained the boilogy background too.

I really think what Erin said about "leaving a good last impression" is great.

We, the TestMagicians, have loads and loads of confidence in you and your abilities. What we'd like to see is that you keep up your confidence, keep fighting for what you deserve until you succeed, and lead us by example.

My best wishes are with you, always.

[Sri]

Erin, Raghuveer, World123, Xaero,Synthia and TTAANN,

Thanks for thy messages....I really hope that this has happened only for the best....Erin, I did send them a Thank You note and I also talked with the admissions officer again.

So the gist of my conversation is this, If I take classes in Biology at Stanford itself this year with my own expenses, then next year my admission is guaranteed. I gotta take the classes that they recommend and then get a grade of B or better. I know I can do better in those Bio classes bcoz in the class that I am taking right now I have a 100% in all the quizzes and mid-terms...

The thing that surprised me the most is, admissions officer at Stanford predicting the decision of UC Davis..She said not to keep my hopes up and that UC Davis also might cite the same reason for a potential rejection and guess what THAT's WHAT EXACTLY DAVIS ALSO MENTIONED IN THEIR REJECTION LETTER. AND ANOTHER THING BOTH THE UNIVS CHOSE TO DECIDE ON THE SAME DAY ABOUT MY APPLICATION AND IN BOTH THE SCHOOLS I AM IN TOP 10 (actually, I was in the TOP 5 at DAVIS) APPLICANTS...Davis sent their decision via USPS and hence it reaced me on Sat...That's the only difference between the two schools.

Now I seriously feel that the schools work in unison while making decision and its so obvious from their decisions that they DONT WANNA SPEND THEIR MONEY TEACHING ME REQUIRED PRE-REQS but instead want me when I am fully prepared....What makes me feel ripped off, is that they should have mentioned this on their website and I would have applied only when I am prepared....They said that we can take pre-reqs after we join in the grad program....I wasted all my hard earned part-time job money on the app fees....Ok, whatever has happened has happened, so right now, I am gonna let by-gones be by gones.

As of today, I still cant think straight or take an intelligent decision. This is definetely the biggest blow in my life...I believed that HARD WORK ALWAYS PAYS BUT NO IT DOESN'T ALWAYS!!!

We (me and my hubby) are going on a month long vacation to India in March and I will relax, rejuvenate and come back and fight this war again....I have decided to seriously try for a software engineer job and if I dont succeed by August then may be I will start taking Bio classes (But they r so expensive that I might have to work for 40 hours a week and then take night classes, my husband can support me, but, I dont want him to pay for my tuition)...

So u guys, if any of u have any contacts in any of the companies in the bay area, can u please recommend my name for an interview there....If need be, feel free to contact me at my email address and I will fwd my resume to u!!! I can be a good web developer, software programmer, Java Developer, QA Engineer, Database Developer, or even Tech Support engineer.

Erin, feel free to edit my post if u feel that its inappropriate for me to post my job reqs here!!

-Sri.

[Erin]

Hi Sri,

First, in context, I think your job stuff is just fine here, don't worry about that.

Second, here's the standard advice I give to people when they ask me whether they should make the sacrifice of paying a lot of money to go to a top school:

Nobody ever says "I wish I hadn't gone to Stanford."

A good friend in Washington, D.C. for example, had to choose between going to Georgetown Law (for ~$25k/year) or a lesser school on full scholarship. Now a year or two after finishing school and working, he has no regrets. A couple other of my students have had similar options, and I can always see the difference in the ones who opt for the better schools--they seem more energetic, more excited, and, well, happier. The ones who choose the lesser schools seem to have a feeling that they've missed out on something.

Sri, you cannot underestimate what having a degree from Stanford will do for you. Just that name on your resume will open so many doors for you, wherever you go. You know how some places have motion detectors to open the doors for you when you approach? Well, that's what a degree from Stanford will do--like magic, wherever you go, doors will open for you.

Yeah, it might be expensive, but after a few years, you'll forget the cost, and you'll be glad you went to such a great school. And think of it this way--if you take the pre-reqs there, your dream, although a bit altered, will still come true. You'll still be taking that exit off the 280 or 100 that says "Stanford."

So, again, Sri: When it comes to education, temporary sacrifice is always worth it in the end. After all, everything you gain stays with you for the rest of your life.

[kalaga]

I am late and new to you, but...

Thanks Sri,
For your replies...I read this section only now...

I thoroughly agree with Raghuveer...Stanford is definitely (one of the) best things that could ever happen to you, and so it's definitely worth a second try....as for the money matters...an esteemed person said this once...

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance"
--- Derek Bok, president, Harvard University

So, you should try again ...!

Thanks again for you replies ....