Thank goodness, high school is finally behind you. Now, on to bigger and better things! Whether you are entering university for the first time, or you are a returning student, college can be a very exciting time in a young person’s life. First, the glorious acceptance letter comes in. Next, the mailman delivers the letter accepting you into your major of choice. But, what happens if you don’t receive that acceptance letter? You read it again and again, making sure that you have read the words correctly, “We regretfully inform you that you have not been chosen at this time to begin the medical assistant technology program.” How is this possible?
Realization Hits
Many new college students do not realize that applying to a certain program does not ensure acceptance into this major. It may take several semesters before students are prepared to enter into the program, and it might take even longer to be accepted into certain programs. Honestly, many programs are competitive. You must do everything that you can to build your résumé and transcript in order to become an eye-catching applicant!
Take a Deep Breath
If you did not get accepted into your dream program immediately, you are probably thinking to yourself, “Well, now what?” The first step: don’t panic. As much as you were planning your college life around this, it simply was not the right timing. Breathe, calm down, and begin to plan your upcoming semester accordingly. Determine your goals, and develop a strategy to achieve them.
Meet with an Academic Advisor
To help understand what your application was lacking, meet with an advisor. They will be able to help guide you through your next application, as well as ensure that you meet all of the program’s requirements before applying again. If there are certain prerequisites needed for your dream major, an advisor should inform you of these.
Take General Education Classes
Begin with taking your Gen Eds. These classes are the foundation of your college education, and they are needed in order for you to excel before you begin to specialize in a particular subject matter. If you do your best in these classes, you have the opportunity to develop an impressive grade point average (GPA). Keeping a good attitude will help you do your best in your Gen Eds, which will ultimately prepare you for that day when you are accepted.
Make a Lasting Impression (And Not a Bad One)
Always be present in class, mentally and physically. Ask questions, answer questions, and share your thoughts during class. If you really want to make a good impression, stay after class to continue the discussion with your professor. If you impress your Gen Ed professors, they might be willing to write rave recommendation letters for you, with which you can supplement your program application. This might give you just enough appeal to the admissions team and make them take a second look at your application!
Keep Dreaming of Your Program
Always keep your eyes on the prize. Continue dreaming about that program in which you desire to take part. Set goals to help get you there. If you are able, take 1 or 2 classes in that subject, or in a closely related subject. Having these classes under your belt (and on your transcripts) will ensure that you have experience and knowledge in the subject before you apply again. When you do submit your next application, admissions counselors will see that you are focused, you are driven, and that you are truly motivated to learn more about this program.
Patience and Persistence
Once you have followed the above steps, your best bet is to practice patience and persistence. Do not apply again before you have all your cards in line; Make sure that you are fully prepared to apply to your program. If there is still more to be done, or if your application needs a little work, this is where patience comes into play. What can you do as you patiently prepare?
Study in Your Free Time
We know what you are thinking, “Study?! In my free time?!” No one wants to miss out on the fun college experience, and no one wants to be considered a nerd, but it is your future we are talking about, here! Are you passionate? Prove it. Soak up every bit of knowledge that you can in order to boost your chances of getting accepted: everything from knowledge about the subject, to information on how to get into the program.
Study Until You’re Tired of It
If you study the subject matter until you are sick of it before entering the program, you will get a good idea of what life will be like once you are in this competitive setting. You might find yourself becoming bored and uninterested. Worst comes to worst, after spending so much time with this subject, you might find that you are no longer passionate about it. If this happens, it is time to accept the hard truth: You don’t even want to do this for years on end. If you find yourself in this predicament, again, breathe.
Evaluate and Reevaluate
Whether or not you find yourself thriving on the subject matter for cognitive sustenance, you must evaluate or reevaluate your goals. Consider what you have discovered through immersing yourself in the subject of your desired program. Next, consider your overall passions. Let them cultivate your goals, and follow your ultimate dreams. If you decide that pesky program wasn’t for you after all, then browse the other programs your college offers. See what sparks your interest!
Florida National University
If you are still deciding what to major in, FNU offers several programs, online and on campus. If you are still looking for the perfect place to study, request more information or apply today! Live among palm trees, sand, sun, and fun at FNU!
