A Story of Appeal:

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of Florida
1

<p>I am a twin. My sister is my best friend, and vice versa. We are a year ahead in our grade, and have always lived in a very low-income neighborhood. :P She is very math/science inclined, while I lean towards English/Writing, hehe :) I am left-handed, she is right-handed. I am extroverted, she is (slightly) introverted. We are truly two halves of a whole. Anyway, we both applied to University of Florida, looking forward to attending the same college, though pursuing two very separate careers (she wants to be a doctor; i desire to be in marketing/advertising)</p>

<p>Anwayyyy, the infamous day arrived over 24 hours ago. We excitedly checked our application status. Quickly, we realized that my sister had been accepted---while I had not. Needless to say, we were both distraught---especially due to our shared view of the upcoming 4 years as our last chance to live together (my sister will be going to med. school, etc... after receiving her bachelors)</p>

<p>I am first to admit that I had doubts about my possibility of getting in to UF---I am in the top 18% percent of my class... I knew it was a tight squeeze, but of course l (her as well) hoped for the best.... But then, I realized that I had forgotten to mention a vital piece of information to explain my somewhat bad grades in my sophomore/junior year: During those grade levels, I experienced a horrid stomach/metabolism disorder which brought my weight down (on my 5"4 frame) to around 79 pounds. It was. horrible. I was depressed and sick, I couldn't focus on anything academic at the moment, and I was sent to many doctors before I was properly diagnosed. However, the grades I did do (very) horribly on (math, of course) I have retaken. With FLVS, I retook both Algebra 2 Honors and Pre-calculus Honors to get an A in both semesters of both courses. However, UF apparently doesn't count replacement grades (though my county does). </p>

<p>Do I have a chance to appeal? Here are my stats (in the transcript sent):</p>

<p>UW GPA: 3.5
W: 4.2
SAT:
READING: 730<br>
MATH: 640<br>
WRITING: 670
EC: 258 service hours, drama club member for 3 years, publicity officer in drama club for two years, 3rd place winner in national video advertising competition, weekly story-time volunteer for library, lead role in non-profit children's play, head camp counselor (volunteer) for two years, early childhood student of the year, successfully completed early childhood vocational course (<-- certified in the state of florida for ECE), owner of bakery/photography business, weekly childcare volunteer at my church since 6th grade, vice president of founding literary club </p>

<p>edit: i've also taken two AP classes, both of which i passed... (i received a 5 on the AP English Exam, 3 on the History Exam)... could that help me at all?</p>

<p>:"( I don't know what to do.... If this appeal doesn't work, I'll probably be at my local Community College for the next two years....This is not how I wished for this to work out... Thoughts??</p>

2

<p>With that story, I would come here to UF and I would explain what happened to the admission officers, they would be able to tell you if yes or no, also explain that your sister was accepted. I am not a big fan of appeals but if I were you I would do anything to see if I can get in. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I’ve never heard of a single accepted appeal… I mean, do you really think you have a decent shot when there are people with much higher scores with the similar medical reasons (e.g. very ill, depression, mono, hospitalized, etc.) that get rejected on a weekly basis… </p>

<p>Good luck</p>

4

<p>I personally know 3 people who have been successful in the appeals process, so you should definitely give it a shot! Is there any way your guidance counselor can write a letter explaining your medical situation and its impact on your grades? Also, if you have great grades this year that could help. Good luck - I sincerely hope everything works out :)</p>

5

<p>Appeal appeal appeal</p>

6

<p>You should appeal, since you have something to tell them that wasn’t considered in your initial decision. I have never heard of a successful appeal, so don’t get your hopes up.</p>

<p>Sometimes the admissions office works in mysterious ways, I would of thought your SAT would qualify you. Guess it gets tougher every year.</p>

7

<p>Goodness! Thank you all for your support/suggestions :slight_smile: I have doctor’s letters, medical records, and I know I can get my guidance counselor to also write me a letter (she’s very honest/sweet)… I know nothing is guaranteed, but it is good to find that I have a small fraction of hope. :smiley: I’m also willing to do a different term for the first semester if that is what they offer me… Should I mention that?</p>

<p>Also, does anybody mind giving me a summary of the appeals process? I’m a tad clueless … Do I just call their office on Monday? I know they’ll get tons of calls, I want to stand out… </p>

<p>Oh, and to those wondering: the reason I didn’t mention my metabolic disorder in my application was ironically because I was afraid they wouldn’t accept me because they would deem me too “sickly.” Gah! If only I knew…</p>

<p>Also, could mentioning that my cousin is a current UF student assist me at all? Also that my twin sister and I are first generation college students (my father went to a two-year vocational school, my mother was a high-school dropout). I don’t know, just another tidbit of information :P</p>

<p>Again, thank you! All of you!</p>

8

<p>If your appeal to UF does not work, why not go to Santa Fe and live with your sister in an apartment? Then, with any luck, you can apply for a transfer from Santa Fe to UF next year if you make some stellar grades…another option to consider…</p>

9

<p>^ Yes, that is another great option, many UF professors teach at Santa Fe.</p>

10

<p>Definitely file an appeal. Due to your metabolic issues, that might shed some light on your less-than-stellar performance those years. Provided they can be assuaged that you won’t run into those issues again, I really feel you are a great candidate for UF. If the issue was medical, and it can be backed up, I am confident that your appeal should work. The best way to do this, in my opinion, would be to send them an email which is carefully worded, and explains your condition and asks them to revisit the decision in that light. Or you could call them, which would at least give you a name to work with. However, in your very unique situation, where your SAT’s and other grades seem to put you into UF range, I feel that by explaining those issues, you should be offered an acceptance. </p>

<p>Also, Santa Fe is not a bad option at all, should it not work out for you with UF, and I am extremely confident that you will be able to transfer as a Soph to UF, with your great stats and the like.</p>

11

<p>I’m going to file an appeal first thing… tomorrow? I’m still a bit confused on how to file an appeal… What email address do I send my appeal to? Or, what number should I call? I feel like my voice/email shall drown in the large number of appeals that shall soon be sent off :slight_smile: </p>

<p>Sante Fe seems like a lovely option, but I just can’t afford renting an apartment :confused: My sister and I’s financial situation is quite tight… </p>

<p>Again, deep gratitude to all of those who have responded to my concerns! I wouldn’t even be considering an appeal without the information provided by the users who have been involved in this thread :slight_smile: If anybody knows or has successfully appealed and gotten into UF, please please please message me!</p>

12

<p>sweetcaroline you deserve to be a Gator. When you call tomorrow get a name make that person your go to person. Try to get a name and develop a rapport with him or her.</p>

<p>good luck to you.</p>

13

<p>From the conversations I’ve had with friends who appealed, the process is basically another application where they request an essay on why they should grant your appeal. I’m afraid I can’t be more specific, as google didn’t help and I don’t have any friends currently online who can give me the info. I suppose calling admissions and asking what the appeals process is would be your best bet, I’m sure they don’t just make snap decisions, so don’t worry about being one of many calling them</p>

14

<p>Thank you for the information! I shall be doing that directly after school tomorrow :)</p>

15

<p>I called them around 3:30 (I would have called earlier, but I was in school)… I had to leave a message :frowning: Is there somebody I can directly talk to (extension number, etc…)? The UF website has no mention of the appeals process, anywhere… :(</p>

16

<p>I found out this weekend that you gotta make an inquiry for a appeal information starting March 2nd. They will send you information, and from there you send your letter of appeal and such.</p>

<p>I was rejected, but I’m appealing myself. Nothing to lose right? :)</p>

17

<p>Sweetcaroline, if your appeal doesn’t work you should seriously consider Santa Fe College… it’s a great school. They offer everything you need, the professors are amazing, and the class sizes are much, much smaller. I wish you luck.</p>

18

<p>Thank you for the suggestion! However, if I do go to a community college for the first two years, it would probably be one local… In order to save any money possible :/</p>

19

<p>I also think you should consider SFC. Here’s the thing, you said that if both you and your sister got accepted you would live together. Well, you can still do that with you at SFC and she at UF. If you rent an apartment together, it will cost no more than if both of you live in the dorms at UF with a meal plan (my assumption that was your original plan). Don’t the dorms run about 4K or so per year, plus the cheapest meal plan is about 3K. For sure you and your sister can live on that with rent and food. Honestly, if you live off campus, you will be shocked at how cheaply you can eat if you cook you own meals. And you find plently of apartments on the side of campus closer to SFC, plus the bus system will help you get around. Lastly, the cost per credit hour at SFC is less, so you will save money there also.</p>

20

<p>I truly like that idea, and I think my sister would as well… You also have a point that living in an apartment would actually be a bargain. However, we wouldn’t be able to rent an apartment for at least another year (We just turned 17 a month ago)… Even after we turn 18, many apartments don’t permit renters under the age of 20 (my friends tried to rent an apartment together, that’s how i know)</p>

<p>My only option would be becoming a legally emancipated minor, which is something I don’t even consider as an option :(</p>

<p>Thank you for the suggestion, though! Any loopholes to the apartment dilemma?</p>