The road to college can be a challenging one, especially for high school students who set their sights on top schools like the University of Maryland (UMD). For aspiring graduates from this school, getting rejected from UMD has been a disappointment, but it hasn’t stopped them from thriving. Students have found success and happiness at other universities, proving that rejection from one school doesn’t mean the end of the journey.
Mason Berk, Class of 2023 graduate and current sophomore at the University of Miami, reflects on his UMD rejection during his college decision process. “UMD was not my dream or top choice, but I still might’ve gone,” Berk said.
Despite being disappointed by not gaining admission, Berk has since found fulfillment at the University of Miami. “Yes, I was pretty upset, but I don’t think I would be as happy [at UMD] as I am right now,” Berk said.
For Berk, Miami’s sunny weather, proximity to a big city and vibrant sports culture helped him make his decision. “It was really the only school I got into, and I loved the weather, being near a big city, and the sports,” Berk said.
His major, entrepreneurship, aligns well with his passion, and he is thriving at the university. When reflecting on UMD’s admissions process during his application year, Berk describes it as “pretty competitive.”
His advice to those who didn’t get into UMD is simple, yet profound, “It’s all about what you do at your school to make it a great time. You can still have fun at so many different schools across the country.”
Turner Purvis, Class of 2024 graduate and current freshman at Indiana University, shares a similar story. Despite his high GPA, rigorous AP coursework and extracurricular involvement, he was shocked he didn’t receive an acceptance letter for UMD. “I always had UMD at the top of my college list,” Purvis said. “I was definitely surprised. I had a very high GPA, AP courses, and many extracurriculars.”.
However, he soon found that not being admitted to UMD might have been a blessing in disguise. “Looking back, I am happy I didn’t go to UMD because I wouldn’t have the same independence and the new experiences that I would at IU,” Purvis said.
Purvis ultimately decided to attend Indiana University due to its top-ranked business school and its strong Greek life. As a finance and real estate major, Purvis has been able to make the most of the opportunities at his new school. He has met new people and is enjoying his college experience. Reflecting on the admissions process at UMD during his year, “The level of difficulty for UMD admission was very high for my class. A lot of overqualified kids were also rejected,” Purvis said.
Purvis has thoughtful advice for college applicants. “Trust the process, embrace new experiences, and don’t judge yourself based on college admissions. There’s more to life,” Purvis said.
The stories of Berk and Purvis show that rejection from a university like the University of Maryland, though difficult at first, is not the end of the road. Both students have flourished at their respective schools and learned valuable life lessons along the way. For current high school seniors facing rejection, their advice is clear: It’s not about the name of the school you attend, but what you make of the opportunities presented to you. So, while UMD remains a highly competitive institution, students have found success and happiness elsewhere, proving that the path to success is not always linear.
