Post by Mahir Gangotra

2024: Rejected from Warwick 2025: Rejected Warwick 🎓 I will be studying at University College London (UCL) on the BSc Economics and Geography programme starting from this September. My biggest takeaway? Rejection isn’t the end. If you stay resilient and keep working, something better will always come your way. Back in 2024, I applied to UCL and Warwick, but received no offers. I firmed another university, despite not being fully happy. On results day, I faced a choice: accept that path or take a gap year, resit Maths, and try again for the universities I truly wanted. Many told me I wouldn’t succeed in reapplying or that a “target university” wasn’t necessary, but I believed in myself and took the risk. I reapplied. This time I got offers from both UCL and Warwick, with Warwick requiring an A* in Maths. Confident in my own ability, I firmed Warwick. 📊 On results day, I achieved 293/300 (98%) in Maths, securing the A* and my place at Warwick. But then, I saw UCL had clearing spaces for Geography & Economics — a course which I had previously showed great interest in. I applied immediately, and within hours, had an offer. Despite being rejected from Warwick the year before, I turned down my unconditional place there to study at UCL — a choice I’m far happier with. 💡 My message: resilience pays off. Taking a gap year can be transformative if it means pursuing what you truly want. As long as you keep working hard, even when faced with adversity, there will always be something better planned for you. I would like to thank my family, teachers and friends for all of their support along my academic journey so far. Getting onto this course is a huge achievement for me and I can’t wait to get started.