Making the Best of Your Safety School

So you got accepted into a grad school, but not the grad school of your dreams. Or maybe you were accepted into the school of your dreams, but it didn't offer enough financial aid. Can you make the best of your safety school and still get a good education?

But why?

If you received a rejection letter, you no doubt feel, well, rejected. Understanding that many students receive rejection letters may help, especially if you are in a competitive field. Being rejected doesn't mean that you can't or won't succeed in graduate school. It just means that this year, this school received more applicants than it has slots available. Many qualified students can get turned away from graduate school. Review your qualifications and remind yourself that you are a capable and intelligent person who will choose to make a contribution to your field at another school.

Review the positives

Even if you had your heart set on another school, your safety school likely has many positive attributes. As you prepare for school, keep all those attributes in mind. Remind yourself of the many ways this program is a good fit for you:

• Do your interests match the faculty's interests?
• Do your career goals match the program's overall goals?
• Has your academic background prepared you for success in the program?

And remember that the faculty obviously sees you as a good fit for the program, or you would not have been accepted. Focusing on the positive attributes of your program will help you let go of your grief and sadness and be ready to move on.

Give it a chance

Even if you're still unhappy about your school when classes begin, try to keep an open mind. Give the school a chance for at least a semester. If you really don't see it as helping you meet your career goals, you can always apply again to another school.