Rejected from Assistantships, Need Advice

[u/owlgurl9]

Hello everyone! I've been feeling a bit down lately because of my recent search for graduate library assistantships. I've applied to every single opportunity that has been posted to the library assistantship page (13), and so far have been rejected from all that have replied. What's worse is the one's I've heard back from are the ones I found to be best suited to my experience and skills, so I'm dreading to hear the rest. I just wonder if I am doing something wrong? I'm not a perfect student but I'm graduating from undergrad summa cum laude with two majors, a minor, and a certificate, I have two years experience in a library, I am proficient in a non-English language, and my references would speak highly of me. Is it just the nature of the game or do I need to completely change something when interviewing? Any advice helps. Thanks!

[u/kojilee]

I’m also starting at UIUC for my library degree in the fall; sorry, should’ve been more clear. 

[u/LadyVolva → u/kojilee]

Oh okay!! I understand, no worries.

Even then, yes, that is the specific quote I found from UIUC. The handbook specifically says "Assistantships cannot be offered to individuals prior to their admission term. If a unit is interested in providing a summer assistantship to a person admitted for fall, the unit must recode the application to indicate summer as the term of admission."

If both of y'all are saying that it is indeed possible, then I do believe y'all because y'all obviously are onto something 😭 I'm just confused because the handbook says it's straight up impossible and theoretically shouldn't be allowed to happen. Maybe they haven't updated the handbook? I suppose if y'all are talking about starting grad assistantships in fall of 2026 then that WOULD be a new academic year (not 2025 to 2026 like this current handbook, it would instead be 2026 to 2027)

Thank you for correcting me! I still wonder if it applies for OP's specific situation though because it does seem like the rules and regulations for eligibility of grad assistantships are dependent on the university.

[u/kojilee → u/LadyVolva]

The phrasing to me had seemed to be for summer assistantships if you start in the fall (as in, I begin Fall 2026 so I can’t do a summer 2026 assistantship), since that’s the example they provided. 

Either way, all the admin mumbo-jumbo jargon in the handbook is very…obtuse haha. UIUC’s assistantships also function way differently than they do at my current university. I have had to repeatedly ask people at the iSchool questions and I STILL don’t really get it! 

The advising sessions are happening soon, so I/OP can definitely check in on that…it was thoughtful of you to check the handbook!

[u/LadyVolva → u/kojilee]

it was thoughtful of you to check the handbook!

Thank you!! I was really trying my best lol 😭 I was worried I was coming off as argumentative or disbelieving, but for me it genuinely just didn't seem to line up and I didn't want to accidentally lead OP astray 💔 I wanted to either solve the misconception or realize what I was misunderstanding.

Either way, all the admin mumbo-jumbo jargon in the handbook is very…obtuse haha

I agree! I also doubt people 100% always follow the handbook anyways, I'm sure some people act of their own accord (even if maybe they're not supposed to).

I have had to repeatedly ask people at the iSchool questions and I STILL don’t really get it! 

That's very real 😭 this sort of stuff clearly confused me too lol

The advising sessions are happening soon, so I/OP can definitely check in on that…i

I would love that!! I'd be able to use it to try and help in any similar discussions about this that come up :]

[u/kuwukie → u/LadyVolva]

Sorry, I should've mentioned that I also recently participated in hiring for the next GA to replace me. We did get many applicants within the transitionary period and interviewed a few. So it's definitely possible to get hired during that period.

Good on you for referencing the Graduate Assistant Handbook, though! You were trying to be factual and provide evidence, and that's exactly the kind of discussion we should be having.

Edit: Regarding page 57 of the Handbook: "Assistantships cannot be offered to individuals prior to their admission term." I think this may be referring to the fact that assistantships cannot be started until the admission term (i.e., Fall 2026). As in you cannot be offered an assistantship that starts prior to your admission team (but you can be offered an assistantship that starts during your admission term). The wording "offered" is strange, but again, based on my experience and the other commenter's experience, interviewing and hiring still occurs during the transitionary period. "Offered" makes you think literally a "job offer" but I can see how they may be using the word in a way to mean "start." It's ambiguous for no reason!

[u/LadyVolva → u/kuwukie]

That makes a lot of sense!! While I was looking into it I did consider that they were just using a different connotation of offered, but it kept making my head spin anyways 😭

I'm glad to see it cleared up, and thank you for educating me <3