Advice from someone who was once rejected from all their top university programs
I'm like way too chopped & unc to be on the sub but I decided I'd give some hopecore to those in need. I would've appreciated hearing this when I was in grade 12.
Some background on me:
I graduated high school in 2022
My home life was rough so doing covid online school at home was pretty unsuccessful.
I graduated high school in 3 years get out of my house earlier but because of that I also overloaded my classes. Combined these meant my grades weren't super competitive compared to a lot of other graduates of that year especially w/ grade inflation
When applying to university I applied to all of the most competitive programs (basically every top STEM program in Ontario) and didn't get into any of them.
I remember being frustrated and embarrassed and super angry with myself basically my entire grade 12 year and into my first years of university. I definitely spent numerous nights in tears over how upset with myself I was.
Anyway I got really lucky because I ended up getting an alternate offer from UofT. Idk if they still do this but it was like the same program but at a different campus (they offered it to anyone with like above an 80% but I transferred campuses like right away so I ended up studying at St George like I wanted to anyway)
I studied math (& physics & stats) because it was the only subject I was consistently good at and I was tired of constantly failing. Got told constantly that I was pursuing a useless degree and I had made a stupid choice.
Best choice I ever made, I genuinely loved the courses I got to take. Grades weren't stellar, but they're fine (graduating w/ a ~3.1) I did a bunch of cool clubs and extra curriculars that I was passionate about and gave me cool experiences. I met a bunch of cool people who I love.
So now after 4 years, I'm 21 years old, I'm graduating, and in a few weeks I start literally my dream job in the SF bay area that pays a 6 figure salary (USD) at a big tech company.
I guess this is just my message for anyone crashing out because they totally fumbled their university admissions this year. Because I crashed tf out and it turns out in the end, it was never that big of a deal.
Getting rejected sucks, getting compared to other people and told that you're worse/less worthy than other people also sucks (and isn't true!!). Please don't let these university admissions impact your self worth.
And also for those of you worrying that this event will determine the trajectory of your life: take it from someone who got rejected from all their top programs, pursued a useless degree, and got mediocre grades, I still ended up exactly where I want to be.
Where you end up at university doesn't determine where you end up afterwards.
I know people in UofT eng, Waterloo SWE, Mac Health Sci, Rotman, Queens Commerce, etc... and I wouldn't say they're doing particularly better than the people I know at TMU, UWindsor, Trent, Ontario Tech, etc...
You're furthering your education and getting a degree, that's something to be proud of regardless of where it's from. So be proud of yourself for that if nothing else.
I wish everyone the best with their next chapter. Feel free to ask me questions..