One student in the entire grade failed to be recommended for postgraduate study: "The moment I got admitted to Columbia University, I felt relieved..."

Date：2023-10-24   Author：admin

At the end of September, we received many private messages from students. Some shared their joy of successfully being recommended for postgraduate studies, while others were confused about whether they should continue to apply for studying abroad after being recommended.

Although in these private messages, most students have already reached a result that can at least be used as a fallback, there are still a small number of students who failed to be recommended for postgraduate studies and have never been able to take a new step.

The confusion and troubles of these students are also common problems among many students who failed to be recommended for postgraduate studies. They originally thought that being recommended for postgraduate studies was a sure thing, but they never expected it to end in failure. Therefore, many of them have become confused and indecisive.

After all, when the results of the recommendation for postgraduate study are announced, it is at the end of September and the beginning of October. Not only are there only about three months left until the postgraduate entrance examination, but also the applications for many foreign universities are gradually opening. At this time, choosing any path seems not to be a wise choice.

We have interviewed and sorted out some experiences and stories of students who failed to be recommended for postgraduate studies in the past to share with everyone, hoping to relieve the psychological pressure faced by those who failed to be recommended for postgraduate studies, and at the same time provide some feasible solutions for everyone.

@Jodie# One student for the entire grade

Background: A 211 finance and economics university, specializing in business

Average score: 90+ (Ranked first in the grade in the second and third years)

Background for postgraduate recommendation: 3 internships, 2 competitions, and 1 paper published in a regular journal

At the beginning of my preparation, I didn't think too much. Because I felt that when I applied, it was just at a stage when everyone was starting to compete, but not yet extremely fiercely. I decided to prepare for the recommendation for postgraduate study in my sophomore year, so I have been working very hard to maintain my GPA all along.

After seeing the list of students recommended for postgraduate studies come out, I realized that there is actually quite a lot of room for improvement. Especially when I saw that many people with average grades could also be recommended for postgraduate studies, it would be a lie to say that there was no imbalance in my heart.

But I also understand that I am indeed inferior to others in many activities. During the preparation process in the middle, I also failed to figure out many mechanisms and only knew how to boost my GPA. Later, I found that it was really of no use for the recommendation for postgraduate study.

However, I'm a person who never gives up. After learning that the result of my recommendation for postgraduate study was a failure, I quickly asked people around me. Although my parents suggested that I take the civil service examination and find a stable job as soon as possible. But personally, I don't want to enter the system. What I want is to continue doing finance-related work in the future. It would be even better if I could enter a securities company.

So, upon the advice of a senior in the same major, I eventually chose to study abroad.

Because of my rich internship experience and my good IELTS score before being recommended for postgraduate studies, the preparation process for the application went smoothly. Eventually, I was admitted to universities such as Columbia University, JHU, and WUSTL.

To be honest, the moment I got admitted to Columbia University, I let go of my failure to be recommended for postgraduate studies. After all, there are still so many paths to choose from and so many paths to take in life. There's no need to stick to just one.

During my time at Columbia University, I found a good summer internship in New York. Now I have returned to China and successfully joined the securities company I wanted to work for. I find that my life has not gone off track because of my failure to be recommended for postgraduate studies.

@Cecilia # Marginal Person for postgraduate Recommendation

Background: A 985 university, majoring in liberal arts

Average score: 86+

Background for postgraduate recommendation: 2 competitions, published papers [1 core paper, 1 regular journal paper]

First, I suffered a crushing defeat at the summer camp because I almost didn't even get into the school's summer camp at the beginning. Then, my performance during the summer camp was very poor. After realizing the direct gap between my level and others, I began to give up on myself a little.

At that time, I could sense that there was basically no hope of being recommended for postgraduate study; I just had to struggle a little longer. It so happened that a friend I used to be very close to in high school gave up the recommendation for postgraduate study and chose to study abroad. At that time, I took the opportunity to learn some information about studying abroad.

Well, although I'm preparing for the recommendation for postgraduate study at the last minute, I still have high expectations for this matter. So, until the result of my recommendation for postgraduate study came out, I had never seriously considered whether to study abroad or not. I only remained at the stage of understanding but without taking any action.

The moment I learned that I had failed to be recommended for postgraduate study, my mind went blank. I felt like I had nothing left and that life was hopeless. There was no time to prepare for the postgraduate entrance examination, and I didn't have language scores for studying abroad. Anyway, I was forced to apply to the UK first.

At first, I received several offers from the University of Manchester, the University of Bristol, and King's College London. Later, after my language test results came out, I promptly submitted my application to Hong Kong. I was admitted to the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong on the last train, choosing to go to the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

During the process of preparing for studying abroad, I felt that all the efforts I had made before were not in vain. When writing activity and experience materials with the document teacher and discussing the ideas for writing the thesis, I felt that I wasn't a waste after all. I still learned a lot and did a lot of things.

I'm very grateful to the consultant teacher at that time for saying something to me: The result of being recommended for postgraduate study doesn't represent your ability, but these admissions you received can show that you are good enough.

@Belen # Top Student God

Background: A 985 university, majoring in science and engineering

Average score: 92+

Background for postgraduate recommendation: Multiple competition experiences and multiple published papers (3 SCI papers)

Being recommended for postgraduate studies was an accident for me. Getting this qualification was quite unexpected for me. As for me, since I started preparing for studying abroad in my freshman year, with the goal of getting a direct doctoral program in the US, I haven't considered anything else.

In my freshman and junior years, I participated in an exchange program in the United States. These two exchanges added points to my chances of being recommended for postgraduate studies. Coupled with the fact that my GPA was usually good and my competition experience was relatively rich, this recommendation for postgraduate studies was somewhat like an additional reward for me.

But I don't plan to pursue a postgraduate degree in China. On the one hand, I think it takes too long. On the other hand, my goal is to get a doctorate. So I gave up this opportunity to be recommended for postgraduate study very early on. Although I am well aware in my heart that this opportunity is extremely rare and a very good one.

I think people still need to have clear goals. If I had been torn about this matter at that time, I might not have been able to get admitted to the doctoral program now.

How to choose between postgraduate entrance examination and studying abroad?

After failing to be recommended for postgraduate studies, if one does not consider direct employment but still intends to pursue further education, the common choices are usually to take the postgraduate entrance examination or study abroad.

Preparation difficulty

The difficulty of the postgraduate entrance examination mainly lies in the difficulty of the test and the competition. Since 2019, the number of examinees has been constantly rising. This year, it is estimated that the number of applicants will reach 5 million, which is a considerable pressure for most students.

The difficulty of studying abroad mainly lies in the language proficiency requirements and the display of personal traits. With the increasing number of applicants for studying abroad, it is no longer simply about submitting an application. Especially for students who want to aim for prestigious universities, it is no longer easy to be admitted merely based on high standards and a decent undergraduate background.

It can be said that the application difficulty for both postgraduate entrance examination and studying abroad is not small at present. Especially, postgraduate entrance examination values test-taking ability, while studying abroad requires a more diverse background. Just in terms of preparation, it is possible that the further one progresses, the more difficult studying abroad will become.

Cost required

Conventionally speaking, the time cost of taking the postgraduate entrance examination is higher, but the cost is lower. Studying abroad has a shorter time cost, but a higher cost.

At present, it takes about three years to pursue a postgraduate degree in China, while it generally takes one to two years to obtain a master's degree abroad. In mainstream English-speaking countries other than the United States, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore, the tuition fees are approximately 100,000 to 150,000 yuan, and the living expenses are 150,000 to 200,000 yuan per year. For most ordinary families, the total cost for one year of study is still a considerable sum.

However, as studying abroad gradually deified, many students would choose more suitable countries and regions based on their budgets. After being more meticulous about their living expenses, in fact, the cost of studying abroad at this stage has become more acceptable to ordinary families than before.

Employment situation

At present, a master's degree has become quite common. The 2023 Overseas Employment Talent Report shows that currently, the main employment fields for overseas students are still concentrated in the business field.

In recent years, an increasing number of international students have chosen to enter the public sector. If you are an overseas talent from a top 100 university in the comprehensive ranking, you can enjoy preferential treatment in many aspects. (Recommended reading: "Does the Graduate School Have Such a Significant Impact on the Civil Service Examination for International Students?" )

In contrast, for domestic master's graduates, the background of your master's institution is relatively more demanding. If the school you attended for your master's degree is not as good, it will be of relatively less help in terms of employment.

Is it still in time to prepare for studying abroad now?

I believe that most students also have such a question: If I am a senior student who has just failed to be recommended for postgraduate study and wants to switch to studying abroad, is it still in time for me to prepare for studying abroad now?

First of all, the answer is affirmative. However, compared with other students who start planning and preparing for studying abroad from their freshman and sophomore years, your opportunities and choices will definitely be fewer.

However, we have also compiled an application timeline and application materials for the reference of students who want to switch to studying abroad. If you still want to pursue further studies, then this time point is undoubtedly a good opportunity.

Application timeline

01. October

Locate the school and prepare all the necessary documents and materials for the application.

02. November - December

Submit the application and upload the application documents and materials.

03. December

Some schools require students to fill in the gaps and prepare for interviews.

04. January to March of the following year

Supplement the materials that can be submitted later to the school and wait for the admission result.

05. Overview of General Application Materials

Academic materials (transcripts, proof of current enrollment/graduation certificate, degree certificate)

Application documents (recommendation letters, personal statements or motivation letters, resumes)

Identity materials (passport or ID card

Language proficiency certificates (IELTS/TOEFL scores, GRE/GMAT scores)

One failure doesn't mean eternal failure. Just as senior Jodie shared, for every student, life doesn't have only one path to choose from.

Whether it's being recommended for postgraduate studies, taking the postgraduate entrance examination, or studying abroad, they are all merely means for you to achieve your ultimate goal. Just choose the way that suits you and do your best. Don't give up all the possibilities for your future just because of one failure!

If you are interested in the study abroad plan after failing to be recommended for postgraduate studies, or if you are dissatisfied with the recommendation and want to find another way out for yourself. Welcome to scan the QR code below to add Xiao E's wechat. Please note "Study Abroad after being recommended for postgraduate Studies" in the remarks. We will match you with a professional consultant or mentor to offer you advice and strategies

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