<p>There are rejections and then there are rejections–many years ago when I was applicant, I applied to Amherst as well as the Ivies–well, to make a long story shorter, I got rejected–but the letter was wonderful-the dean spoke about the imperfection of the admissions process and that he was sure that each year they had made mistakes, and that I should go on and show that they had done so in my case.<br>
A few years later in the regional finals for a well known Fellowship, I noticed that one of the judges for my panel was this dean. At the cocktail party the night before the interviews I went up and introduced myself. I told him that I was one of the people he had rejected-- he said that my name sounded familiar. I reminded him about his letter; how I had found it to be inspirational in spite of the bad news it contained. I laughingly told him not to make the same mistake twice. After I won the Fellowship I found out that the Dean had been my biggest booster in the deliberations.<br>
It was such a great letter and it did motivate me. Unfortunately, I have never heard of another admissions committee writing anything nearly as thoughtful again. Too bad.</p>