Ding.
By Matt Miner
So scratch Tuck.
It’s a little difficult to articulate the disappointment I’m feeling today. I put a lot into my Tuck application; I followed their feedback; I felt a very strong connection to the school and affection for the people there. I would have accepted their offer.
I am feeling very thankful for my Fuqua acceptance. By next week, I will be excited about Duke. Today I can only muster gratitude for not having gone 0:3 on my applications (four if you count last year’s Tuck rejection).
When I didn’t get a call from Tuck yesterday, I read Philippians, which was just the right thing to do. Here are my thoughts for the rest of the day and for the weekend:
7. What are the decrees of God?
A. The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory he hath foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:11-13 ESV)
Summary: B-school rejection is terrible, especially if you are really interested in the particular program. The reason for this is that, if you do a good job on the application, you risk a lot, you tell all, and the whole decision process is essentially a black box. And you wait, and you wait, and you wait – and then it comes, clear as a bell – “Ding.”
It rings in your ears for hours. It feels like a punch in the face. I can say that honestly, it is the most painful experience of my life, except for losing friends and family to death. It goes way beyond not getting a job offer, and even goes beyond breaking up with a high school girlfriend. Now, for sure, there are levels of suffering greater than B-school rejection and lesser than having a loved one die – I am not trying to be crass here. God, in his grace has been kind in the experiences I’ve had in my life.
But here’s the conclusion: God knows what the Miner family needs. Further, my efforts to establish “fit” with Tuck were very strenuous (I’ve rarely worked so hard at any academic/relational pursuit). If they still didn’t “get” me, it wasn’t right – and that’s that. It’s disappointing, but I believe it.
Fuqua Ho!
