University Plan B: Recoup, Rethink, Retry!

There’s no doubt: a university rejection can be deeply disappointing. But do not give up! You still have plenty of options.

First, put things in perspective: you can always reapply next year, or even next semester! Until then, make the best use of this extra time. Here are some suggestions:

1) Take advantage of the pressure-cut and spend time thinking really hard about your university goals and direction: think hard about what you love, what makes you tick, and what you are naturally good at.

2) Work for a while, to build up your tuition funds, financial safety net, and/or travel stash for summers and school holidays. Sometimes it’s better to wait a while and graduate in the black, than to start sooner and rack up student debt.

3) Take some correspondence or night courses. This is a great way to take care of prerequisites! You may even be able to use these courses as GPA boosters, if your high-school marks are a liability.

4) Volunteer! Volunteerism shows valuable qualities like community involvement and initiative, which make you a more promising investment for universities. It’s also a great way to expand your worldview and discover new loves. Shelters, food banks, public awareness events and election campaigns are just a few examples of volunteer opportunities that look great on an application!

5) READ! Cruise your prospective university’s recommended-reading list. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later when you look at your first batch of syllabi and realize you’ve already read half of these books.

And remember, there are plenty of fish in the sea! Sometimes getting fixed on one goal can blind you to other opportunities. If you’re determined to start university this fall, consider looking at other institutions like Canadian Mennonite University—something may surprise you!