You did not get in. What now?
Photo: Bjarke MacCarthy
Again this year, a lot of people have applied to CBS. Since CBS has a lot more applicants than study places, it means that many applicants are rejected. Not getting accepted to the study programme of your dreams can be really frustrating. In this article, we will break down some of the myths about admission to CBS’ bachelor programmes - and we have some advice for your next steps.
No vacant places
Because there are far more applicants than study places, CBS has no vacant places. There are no standby places or waiting lists either.
Other universities with vacant places
If you would like to begin studying this year, you can check if other universities have programmes with vacant places.
Myths about study places
Moving on to the myths. There are some persistent myths about bachelor admission at CBS. We would like to break down some of them here:
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Myth: CBS offers standby places
Fact: CBS does not have any standby places, so even if you ticked the box in optagelse.dk, it does not matter. CBS does not have a waiting list or any vacant places. -
Myth: CBS has a waiting list in case admitted students drop out
Fact: CBS has no waiting list. And there will not be an available study place if someone you know has declined their offer for a study place. We expect some applicants to decline their offer and therefore overbook the number of new students on our programmes. -
Myth: You can get an offer of admission to a lower priority
Fact: You cannot get an offer of admission to a lower priority. All study places have now been distributed. You will not be assessed according to your lower priorities, if you have been offered a study place at a higher priority. -
Myth: You can change study places with a friend
Fact: You CANNOT change study places with one of your friends. We have made an assessment and selection among all applicants for the different programmes. Therefore, it is not possible for you to change places with a student from another programme. -
Myth: Saying no to a study place this year will affect your chances of getting accepted next year
Fact: It will not have any influence on your chances of getting accepted next year if you decline an offer of a study place in 2023. This applies both if you wish to apply for the same programme or for another programme next year.
Plan B - some advice
If you have been rejected and do not have a plan B, now is a good time to think about getting one.
Thomas Gylling, Student Guidance Counsellor at CBS, has provided guidance to rejected applicants for many years. Thomas has five tips for you to move on after getting rejected:
- Don’t let the disappointment stop you – make a new plan
”With the GPA levels that we see at CBS, we have to reject extremely qualified applicants. Most rejected applicants are fully qualified to study at CBS, so please do not become disappointed with yourself. It becomes more and more difficult to pass through the eye of the needle. Obviously, many applicants will not make it. This has nothing to do with you and your skills. You just have to make a new plan.”
- Check if other universities have vacant study places
”There are plenty of great programmes across the country which still have vacant places. Perhaps one of them will suit you. Perhaps you can study the same or almost the same you were going to study at CBS, and you can start studying already this year.”
- Consider how you can improve your chances next year
”If you are completely certain that you want to take the programme that you applied for at CBS and did not get into this year, you must consider how you can improve your chances of getting admitted next year. Read the quota 2 rules, participate in the information meetings about admission and think about what you can do. Having worked full-time or studied courses at bachelor's level or higher improves your chances, but do you want to spend a year improving your chances of POSSIBLY getting in next year? There are no guarantees even if you are working like mad to become qualified.”
- Make a plan A, B and C
”If you wait until next year to apply, you should make a plan A, B and C beforehand. Choose a number of priorities and familiarise yourself with everything before you choose. Think about what is most important: Where you study, or what you study? Sometimes applicants choose CBS without having considered that practically the same education can be taken somewhere else where the GPAs are not as high. In other words, there are good alternatives."
- Choose a programme based on your interests
“Keep in mind that a programme which requires a very high GPA as such is not better, harder or cooler than programmes with a lower GPA. It is all about the number of study places in relation to the number of applicants - nothing else. A programme with a lower GPA may in many cases provide you with the same career opportunities as a programme that requires a GPA that is sky-high. You really have to look at the contents of a programme and then choose what you want to work with instead of becoming obsessed with getting into that one prestigious programme."
Contact a student guidance counsellor
You are welcome to contact the student guidance counsellors at CBS if you need help finding out what is right for you.
Find contact information for the student guidance counsellors
Quota 2 for next year
If you want to apply again next year, you can already begin to plan how to spend your time wisely for the benefit of your quota 2 application.
CBS attaches great importance to two things in quota 2:
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Studies or a full-time job. Read more about how we assess activities in quota 2 on Bachelor Admission > Selection quotas under Quota 2
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Motivational essay: In the programmes where a motivational essay is required it is an important part of your quota 2 application. Your motivational essay must include a description of how you can contribute to the programme and why exactly you are a valuable asset to the programme and the study environment. See which programmes require a motivational essay and find out more under: Bachelor Admission > Selection quotas under Motivational essay
Join our infomeetings about admission to CBS in 2025
If you wish to know more about what you can do the next year to improve your chances in quota 2, you can attend one of our information meetings about admission in autumn 2023 and spring 2024
Myths about qouta 2
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Myth: You do not have to meet the entry requirements when applying in quota 2:
Fact: You always have to meet the entry requirements whether you apply in quota 2 or quota 1. You cannot be offered a place if you do not meet the entry requirements. -
Myth: Grades do not matter when applying in quota 2:
Fact: Grades do matter. In quota 2, the applicant will be subject to an overall assessment. Your grades in the specific entry requirements are a part of this assessment, but we also look at what you have done after finishing upper secondary school. We also consider your motivational essay for the programmes that require one. -
Myth: The motivational essay is the only thing that counts:
Fact: It is not. Your motivational essay counts for a lot, but there are also other things that matter, as you are subject to an overall assessment.
Questions?
If you have questions about CBS, our programmes or admission, you are welcome to contact us at:
Phone: + 45 3815 2738:
- Friday 26 July: 10:00-15:00
- Monday 29 July: 10:00-15:00
Please note however, we can only comment on your specific application or make any decisions if you write an email to CBS Admission on bacheloradmission@cbs.dk.
When can you expect an answer to your email?
CBS Admissions also answers emails in the weekend after we have sent out answers. We receive many emails as we have received more than 18,000 applications for our bachelor programmes. We are working as fast as we can, but you can expect waiting time. No need to worry, we will answer all emails as fast as we can.