Rejections have a way of shaking your confidence. I learned that the hard way.
I applied to ISB, NTU, NUS, and several others. Some schools didn’t even shortlist me. Others invited me for interviews, only to reject me afterward. Those stung the most, because they made me believe I was close — then pulled the rug out from under me.
There were nights when I questioned if I was wasting my time. Everyone around me seemed to be moving forward — getting admits, changing jobs, building careers — while I was stuck waiting for another email that might just be a “no.”
But here’s the lesson those rejections taught me: they’re not the end of the road. They’re redirections.
I kept applying. Tweaked my essays. Learned from each interview. And most importantly, I refused to let one school’s decision define my worth. Eventually, Schulich said yes — and offered me a scholarship. That single acceptance flipped my mindset. Soon after, IE offered me admission with a scholarship as well, and Esade followed with interview calls.
Looking back, if I had quit after those first few rejections, I’d never have reached IE.
So if you’re facing rejections right now, don’t see them as verdicts. See them as steps. Every “no” gets you closer to the “yes” that will matter most.
