When one door closes, AbRobot.ai helps you find the right one to open
Published: December 2025 | 15 min read
Rejection emails are part of the study abroad journey, but they don't have to be the end of your story.
Every year, thousands of talented students receive rejection letters from their dream universities. Some give up. Others take a step back, regroup, and come back stronger. These are the stories of five students who faced rejection head-on and turned it into their greatest comeback.
With the right guidance from AbRobot.ai, they not only overcame their initial setbacks but ended up at universities that were even better fits for their goals. Here's how they did it.
1. Arjun Malhotra: From 4 Rejections to Carnegie Mellon
📍 From: Bangalore, India
🎓 Dream Outcome: Carnegie Mellon University - MS in Computer Science
💼 Background: Software Engineer, 2 years experience
📊 GRE: 322 | CGPA: 8.1/10
The First Attempt: A Harsh Wake-Up Call
Arjun applied to eight top CS programs in Fall 2023 on his own. He had a solid profile—good GRE scores, decent grades from a reputed college, and two years of work experience at a product-based company. He thought that would be enough.
It wasn't.
❌ First Round Results (Without AbRobot.ai)
Applied: 8 universities (MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, CMU, Cornell, UIUC, UW, Georgia Tech)
Rejected: 4 (MIT, Stanford, Berkeley, CMU)
Waitlisted: 3 (Cornell, UIUC, UW)
Accepted: 1 (Georgia Tech - but with no funding)
"I was devastated," Arjun admits. "I couldn't understand why programs were rejecting me. My scores were in their range, my work experience was relevant, and I thought my SOP was good. But clearly, something wasn't working."
The rejection from Carnegie Mellon hurt the most. It was his dream school, and he felt like he'd blown his only chance.
The Comeback: Working with AbRobot.ai
After taking a few weeks to process the disappointment, Arjun decided to try again. This time, he wouldn't go alone. He reached out to AbRobot.ai in April 2024.
Our counselors conducted a detailed profile review and identified the problems immediately. His SOP was generic and focused too much on listing accomplishments rather than telling a story. His letters of recommendation were lukewarm. And most importantly, he hadn't clearly articulated his research interests or how they aligned with each program.
We worked with Arjun over the summer to completely transform his application:
- Rewrote his SOP to highlight his specific interest in distributed systems and how his work experience gave him unique insights into scalability challenges
- Helped him identify and reach out to professors whose research aligned with his interests
- Coached him on securing stronger recommendations that provided specific examples of his technical skills and leadership
- Built a compelling narrative around a side project where he optimized database performance for a fintech application
We also helped him be strategic about university selection. Instead of just applying to brand names, we identified programs with strong distributed systems faculty who were actively recruiting students.
✅ Second Round Results (With AbRobot.ai)
Applied: 7 universities (CMU, UCSD, UT Austin, Purdue, USC, NEU, UMass Amherst)
Rejected: 1 (UCSD)
Waitlisted: 0
Accepted: 6 (including CMU with $15,000 scholarship!)"The difference was night and day. AbRobot helped me realize that getting into top programs isn't just about having good scores—it's about showing why you're the right fit. When I got that CMU acceptance email, I literally cried. The place that rejected me a year ago was now offering me admission with funding."
Where He Is Now
Arjun is in his first semester at Carnegie Mellon, working with a professor on distributed database research. He's already been offered a research assistant position for the spring semester.
"That rejection was the best thing that happened to me," he reflects. "It made me realize I needed help, and AbRobot gave me that help. I'm at my dream school now, doing exactly what I want to do."
2. Ishita Reddy: Rejected by Oxford, Thriving at LSE
📍 From: Hyderabad, India
🎓 Current University: London School of Economics - MSc in Economics
💼 Background: Fresh graduate in Economics
📊 GRE: 328 | CGPA: 9.2/10
The Shock of Rejection
Ishita had stellar grades, near-perfect GRE scores, and internships at two policy think tanks. On paper, she was an ideal candidate. Oxford's Economics program was her dream, and she was confident she'd get in.
The rejection email came as a shock.
❌ First Round Results
Applied: 5 universities (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Warwick)
Rejected: 2 (Oxford, Cambridge)
Waitlisted: 1 (LSE)
Accepted: 2 (UCL, Warwick)
"I didn't understand it," Ishita says. "My scores were higher than the average admitted student. I thought I'd done everything right."
The LSE waitlist was particularly frustrating. It wasn't a no, but it wasn't a yes either. She was stuck in limbo.
Turning the Waitlist into an Acceptance
Ishita reached out to AbRobot.ai in March, desperate to get off the LSE waitlist. Time was running out, and she needed to make a decision about UCL.
Our team acted quickly. We helped her craft a compelling Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) that highlighted new developments in her profile—a research paper she'd submitted for publication and a new internship at a development economics research center.
More importantly, we helped her articulate why LSE specifically was the right fit for her research interests in development economics, referencing specific faculty members and courses she was excited about.
We also worked with her to prepare for a potential interview. LSE doesn't always interview waitlisted candidates, but we wanted her to be ready if they reached out.
✅ The Outcome
Three weeks after submitting her LOCI, Ishita received an email from LSE: she was off the waitlist and officially admitted to their MSc in Economics program."AbRobot didn't just help me write a letter—they helped me understand what LSE was looking for and how to position myself. Getting off that waitlist felt better than if I'd gotten in the first time. It taught me that persistence and strategy matter."
Where She Is Now
Ishita is loving life at LSE. She's working as a research assistant for a professor studying labor markets in developing economies, and she's discovered that LSE was actually a better fit for her research interests than Oxford would have been.
"I don't even think about Oxford anymore," she laughs. "LSE's faculty and resources in development economics are incredible. Sometimes rejection leads you to exactly where you need to be."
3. Vikram Singh: From Zero Admits to University of Toronto
📍 From: Chandigarh, India
🎓 Current University: University of Toronto - MASc in Mechanical Engineering
💼 Background: 3 years in automotive industry
📊 GRE: 316 | CGPA: 7.6/10
A Complete Shutout
Vikram's first application cycle was brutal. He applied to ten universities across the US and Canada for mechanical engineering programs. The result? Zero acceptances.
❌ First Round Results (Without AbRobot.ai)
Applied: 10 universities
Rejected: 8
Waitlisted: 2 (both later converted to rejections)
Accepted: 0
"It was humiliating," Vikram admits. "I had three years of work experience, publications, and relevant projects. But every single school said no. I started questioning whether I was good enough for graduate school at all."
The Transformation
Vikram found AbRobot.ai through a friend who'd successfully applied to grad school. Initially, he was skeptical. "I thought, 'I already got rejected everywhere. What can they do?'"
Our counselors did a comprehensive audit of his previous applications and found several critical issues:
- His SOP read like a resume—listing accomplishments without showing passion or clear research direction
- He applied to programs that didn't match his research interests in electric vehicle systems
- His recommendations were from managers, not technical mentors who could speak to his research potential
- He hadn't highlighted his most impressive work—a patent application for an EV battery cooling system
We worked with Vikram for four months before the next application cycle. We completely rewrote his SOP, focusing on his passion for sustainable transportation and his unique industry perspective. We helped him identify programs with strong EV research groups. And we coached him on securing recommendations from technical colleagues who could speak to his innovation and research skills.
Most importantly, we helped him see his industry experience as an asset, not a weakness. His practical knowledge of manufacturing constraints and real-world engineering challenges made him uniquely valuable for research programs.
✅ Second Round Results (With AbRobot.ai)
Applied: 8 universities (University of Toronto, UBC, Waterloo, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, UC Davis, Ohio State)
Rejected: 1
Waitlisted: 0
Accepted: 7 (including Toronto with full funding and research assistantship)"Going from zero admits to seven in one year felt surreal. AbRobot helped me completely reframe my story. They showed me that my industry background wasn't a liability—it was exactly what made me special. Now I'm at one of the best engineering schools in Canada, fully funded, doing research I'm passionate about."
Where He Is Now
Vikram is thriving at University of Toronto, working on next-generation EV thermal management systems. His industry background has made him a valuable collaborator, and he's already co-authored a paper with his advisor.
"That year of rejections was tough, but it taught me resilience. And more importantly, it led me to AbRobot, which led me to Toronto. I wouldn't change anything."
4. Neha Agarwal: From MBA Rejections to INSEAD Success
📍 From: Mumbai, India
🎓 Current University: INSEAD - MBA
💼 Background: 5 years in consulting
📊 GMAT: 700 | Work Experience: 5 years at Big 4 firm
The Rejection Streak
Neha had a solid consulting background with five years at a Big 4 firm. She applied to seven top MBA programs in Round 1, targeting schools in the US.
❌ Round 1 Results
Applied: 7 schools (Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, MIT Sloan, Duke, Cornell, NYU Stern)
Rejected: 4
Waitlisted: 2
Interviewed but ultimately rejected: 1
Accepted: 0
"I was devastated," Neha recalls. "I thought my Big 4 experience would be enough. But clearly, I wasn't standing out. My GMAT was on the lower end, and I realized my essays probably weren't compelling enough."
The Strategic Pivot
Instead of reapplying to the same schools in Round 2, Neha came to AbRobot.ai for a complete strategy overhaul.
We worked with her to understand her career goals more deeply. Through our discussions, we realized that she wasn't just interested in traditional consulting—she wanted to move into social impact consulting. This became the foundation of her new narrative.
We also helped her think beyond US programs. INSEAD and LBS emerged as better fits for her goals—both had strong social impact programs and better international networks.
We completely rewrote her essays, focusing on her pro bono work with NGOs that she'd barely mentioned in her first applications. We helped her articulate why social impact consulting mattered to her and how an MBA would help her make that transition.
We also connected her with an INSEAD alumna who gave her invaluable insights into the program's culture and interview process.
✅ Round 2 Results (With AbRobot.ai)
Applied: 4 schools (INSEAD, LBS, Cambridge Judge, IE Business School)
Rejected: 0
Waitlisted: 0
Accepted: 4 (chose INSEAD)"AbRobot helped me realize I was applying to schools based on rankings, not fit. Once we focused on what I actually wanted to do with my MBA, everything clicked. INSEAD wasn't even on my radar before, but now I can't imagine being anywhere else. The one-year program, the international focus, the social impact opportunities—it's perfect."
Where She Is Now
Neha is currently in her final term at INSEAD in Singapore. She's already secured a position at a social impact consulting firm in London that helps companies develop sustainable business strategies.
"Those initial rejections were blessings in disguise. They forced me to really think about what I wanted, and AbRobot helped me find programs that aligned with those goals. I ended up at a better-fit school than any I originally applied to."
5. Rohan Kapoor: From UK Visa Rejection to Canadian Success
📍 From: Delhi, India
🎓 Current University: McGill University - MA in Political Science
💼 Background: Fresh graduate + gap year
📊 GRE: 320 | CGPA: 8.5/10
The Visa Nightmare
Rohan's story is different from others—he actually got accepted to his dream program at King's College London. But then came the shocking news: his student visa was rejected due to insufficient financial documentation.
"I was crushed," Rohan says. "I had the admit letter in my hand, but I couldn't go. The appeal process would take months, and I'd miss the start of the semester. I felt like my whole year was wasted."
❌ The Visa Rejection
King's College London - Admitted but couldn't attend due to visa rejection
Appeal filed but would miss semester start date
Had to decline the offer
The Fast-Track Solution
Rohan found AbRobot.ai in July, just two months before fall semesters were starting. Most programs had closed their applications, but he was desperate not to lose another year.
Our team jumped into action. We identified programs in Canada with late application deadlines or rolling admissions. We helped him prepare applications for McGill, Toronto, and UBC at lightning speed.
More importantly, we helped him handle the visa process correctly this time. Our visa counselors reviewed his financial documents thoroughly, helping him understand exactly what Canadian immigration would require and ensuring every document was in order.
Within four weeks, Rohan had submitted three applications. Within six weeks, he had admits from all three.
✅ The Canadian Pivot (With AbRobot.ai)
Applied: 3 universities (McGill, Toronto, UBC)
Rejected: 0
Accepted: 3
Visa approval: 100% smooth with AbRobot's guidance"AbRobot turned my nightmare into an opportunity. Not only did they help me find great programs with late deadlines, but they made sure I didn't face another visa rejection. Their visa guidance was incredibly detailed. And honestly? McGill turned out to be a better fit than King's College would have been. Canada's immigration policies are more student-friendly, and McGill's faculty in my research area are world-class."
Where He Is Now
Rohan is thriving at McGill University in Montreal. He's discovered that Canada's post-study work opportunities are excellent, and he's already planning to apply for permanent residency after graduation.
"That UK visa rejection felt like the end of the world, but it led me to Canada, which has been amazing. AbRobot didn't just help me get admitted—they helped me navigate the entire process, including the parts I didn't even know I should worry about."
What These Success Stories Teach Us
These five students faced different types of rejection—from program denials to waitlists to visa issues. But they all share something in common: they refused to give up, and they sought expert help to bounce back stronger.
Key Lessons from Their Journeys:
- Rejection isn't personal—it's about fit: Sometimes you're applying to the wrong programs, and rejection is actually redirecting you to better opportunities.
- Your first application might not be your best: Most students underestimate how much strategy and storytelling matter. Your scores don't tell your whole story—you need to craft that narrative.
- Expert guidance makes a measurable difference: All five students went from rejection to multiple acceptances with AbRobot.ai's help. The difference wasn't their profiles—it was how they presented them.
- Strategic targeting matters more than brand chasing: Applying to schools that align with your actual goals and interests yields better results than just targeting famous names.
- The process doesn't end at admission: Visa preparation, financial documentation, and interview prep are crucial steps where expert guidance prevents costly mistakes.
The AbRobot.ai Difference
What enabled these comebacks? Our comprehensive approach combines:
- Honest Profile Assessment: We identify exactly what went wrong in previous applications and create a strategy to fix it.
- Strategic University Selection: We help you find programs that align with your goals, not just rankings.
- Narrative Development: We transform your experiences into compelling stories that admissions committees remember.
- Document Perfection: From SOPs to LORs to resumes, we ensure every element of your application is polished and purposeful.
- Interview & Visa Preparation: We don't stop at helping you get admitted—we ensure you can actually attend.
- Emotional Support: Rejection is hard. We provide the encouragement and perspective you need to keep going.
Your Rejection Doesn't Have to Be the End
Whether you've faced rejection before or want to ensure you don't face it at all, AbRobot.ai is here to help you create your success story. Every student featured here thought their dream was over—until they found the right guidance.
Have you faced rejection in your study abroad journey?
Let us help you turn it into your greatest comeback.
📧 Email: contact@mnbresearch.com | 🌐 Website: www.abrobot.ai