UF over the past few years has gotten increasingly more and more competitive, I have a full IB diploma, great extracurriculars, good grades, and a decent SAT score (standardized testing is not my strong suit) I felt like I was their perfect candidate. Unfortunately I did not get in. I felt devastated, I had done everything I could to impress them and make myself a superior applicant, but in the end I didn't get in. I was extremely disappointed in myself and questioned myself as a student. However, it was over, I would not get admitted. I looked at my options the next day and was extremely excited when the two schools I applied to: Nova Southeastern and the University of South Florida, accepted me. This boosted my self-esteem and I was extremely enthusiastic. I examined the schools I had been admitted to, making a pros and cons list. I found myself in love with the USF campus.
I had lived in Tampa before moving to Orlando and was very familiar with the campus. In addition to this, I met up with my doctor who takes my blood to ensure everything is normal after having a medical issue in tenth grade. She asked me about where I had been accepted and I told her about USF, Nova, and UCF. She went to USF after attending UF for almost a year and disliking the campus. She fell in love with USF and it motivated me to examine the programs they have. I couldn't have been more excited they offered everything I could have wanted out of a university.
So while being rejected isn't the best feeling ever, it is helping me further examine universities I didn't consider before. It also helped me stop looking at college rankings and instead focus on universities that best fit my needs as a student.
Update: I have since committed to USF. GO BULLS!