Applying (Again)
This wasn't my first time applying to the MLH Fellowship. I'd tried before, for the same thing really, and got rejected fast, no long wait, no suspense. This time around, I applied for the Software Engineering track on March 23.
I worked on the application with Claude the same way I usually do: I write the raw draft, we go back and forth refining it, and I end up with something that actually sounds like me but sharper. I liked what I submitted. Going in, I genuinely thought I had a solid shot.
The Wait
Last year's rejection came quickly. This year, nothing. Weeks turned into months. I applied March 23 and didn't hear anything back until June 26, nine days ago as I write this. That's roughly three months of silence.
I read into that gap probably more than I should have. My logic was: if they reject you fast, it's an easy no. If they take this long, it means you were actually in the running, and they had a harder decision to make. Maybe that's just something I told myself to feel better while waiting. Maybe it's true. I don't actually know how their process works.
The Result
The email on June 26 was a rejection.
It stings a bit more than last year's, honestly, because this time I thought I had a real shot. But it's fine. Life goes on, and rejection isn't new to me at this point.
What's Next
I'm planning to apply again next cycle. Hopefully that one goes differently. If not, well, there's always the cycle after that.