Ouch!

Rejection Hurts: 3 Ways to Deal with it During the Recruiting Process

By Kelly Wick|Updated on June 27, 2023 (originally published on November 18, 2022)

When entering a profession that is highly competitive, like college sports, you must be ready to face some losses. And although it may be hard to hear, many recruits often face roadblocks in the form of rejection before ever stepping foot on your future college campus.

Rejection in the college recruiting process can be devestating and in some cases feel career-ending. However, if looked at with the right mindset, rejection can actually be a positive experience. That does not mean you cannot take some time to feel sad or angry–that is completely normal and all part of the process. But remember that rejection is redirection and will eventually lead you to where you are meant to be. It is an opportunity to grow, learn from the process, and redirect your goals.

Above all, keep in mind that rejection is something that all athletes experience and you are not alone. Here's how to deal with it when it stings.

Stay positive

Have you ever lost an important game and felt like you wanted to give up altogether? Or did it make you want to work even harder to be better? Reframing your mindset is what will make you successful in sports, and this applies to your recruiting process as well. Although it's common to see athletes frustrated after losing a game, or sitting on the sidelines with their head in their hands,you rarely see them give up on their dream after a few losses. They are back at it the next day learning from what may have gone wrong and how they can be better. So apply your athlete mindset to your recruiting process, stay positive, and don't give up!

Be respectful

Remember to treat everyone you interact with during the recruitment process with respect, even in the face of rejection. Why? If the rejection is handled poorly, word will travel fast among the community. There have been times where a team is out on a potential recruit one month and then the next reaches out to see if they are still interested due to another player being out with an injury or had transferred. If you conduct yourself maturely, you increase your chances of getting a second look. Plus, it's just the right thing to do!

Realign your goals

Although it might feel personal, getting turned down by a program is not always about your shortcomings. Even the most successful athletes have been turned down at least once in their career. The difference is they kept at it when things were not working in their favor. Rejection is only a detour and not a dead end street if you are willing to put in the time to readjust your goals. It is a great opportunity to reevaluate what it is you want out of a program and your approach to contacting coaches. Each “no” from a program puts you one step closer to where you are truly meant to be.

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