Categories
A single rejection is difficult to interpret. Patterns across multiple rejections are more informative because they reveal consistent friction in positioning, stage fit, clarity, or signals.
What to look for in rejection patterns
- Are you repeatedly applying to programs that are too late-stage?
- Do reviewers repeatedly ask the same clarifying question?
- Is your user definition changing across materials?
- Are your signals weak for your stated stage?
How to use patterns constructively
Patterns help you decide what to change: clarity, consistency, targeting, or the next learning experiments. This approach tends to produce better results than trying to optimize a single application.