My first interview at the Data School led to a REFUSAL. After the REFUSAL, I never had any interview with the Data School but I got into DS36.
On the phone with him, he said: "I am sorry to inform you that you couldn't make the cut off Michael. You did great but others were slightly ahead. Without taking much of your time, I advise you make a new application to another cohort if you are still interested. Do equip yourself with more knowledge in the area of consultancy and also participate in Makeover Monday to boost your Tableau Public Profile ". These were the words of my Global Head Coach.
Was I broken? Did I give up? NO, I wasn't broken and I never gave up!
Rather, I heeded to his advice and started listening to consultancy podcast, doing Makeover Mondays and personal tableau projects by reverse engineering the works of mentors and current DSers.
Two days after the call, I received an email from Andy offering me the opportunity to come for the final interview for the next cohort which is slated for December. Meaning the earlier advice to reapply has been scrapped.
Fast forward, time was due and I received my dataset for the final interview. On the 5th day of working on it, I received yet another call from Andy. After exchanging pleasantries, he said: "Would you be available to start with the Data School in 2 weeks?" I responded I can start now (jokingly). "We've been monitoring progress in your work after your last interview and as such we want to offer you a place in DS36 since one of the guys never responded to our offer."
The rest is now history and I hope you take some inspiration from my story. If you have an application in progress or planning to apply to the Data School, these are my keys to entry: Show your Interest, Respond to Every Feedback, Keep working hard to be better than you were yesterday and Never give up no matter the outcome.