<p>I was recently waitlisted for UW Seattle (freshman applicant), and I would like to appeal this decision. Stats:</p>
<p>SAT: 2120 (730 R, 700 M, 690 W)
GPA: 3.66 UW through Jr. year
AP: World History (3), U.S. History (3), Lit & Comp (4), Biology (5), Calculus B (3), Physics B, Psychology (both currently being taken)</p>
<p>a C in Calc and C+ in Lit in second semester last year contributed to a terrible grade trend. My cumulative GPA after each year was as follows: 3.94 -> 3.86 -> 3.66</p>
<p>Please review and critique the letter I am working on (unfinished, but getting there, need to write a bit more about why I want to go to UW and what I can bring, plus conclusion, ideas are greatly appreciated):</p>
<p>As a prospective student of the University of Washington, I applied for admission to the Seattle campus. Today, I was notified of the University's decision to offer me a place on the freshman waitlist. In hopes of receiving an offer for direct admission instead, however, I do request that the admissions board take further consideration of my application.</p>
<p>Throughout my years in high school, my grade trend has not been positive overall. My grades began to decline most notably during my junior year. Despite this, I believe that the year was still both an academic success and a much-needed learning experience for me in preparation for college learning. Although any transcript appears to be more impressive with stronger grades on paper, I feel compelled to justify the reason behind my seemingly poor achievement during this year. </p>
<p>As a student, my foremost concerns lie with my own intellectual capacity and potential for growth. While it is true that my grade point average took a significant dip during my junior year, I also decided to challenge myself by enrolling in four Advanced Placement classes on top of a third-year Spanish course, as well as a Chemistry class. As is apparent from my transcript, the combined workload was unprecedented for me: I struggled to balance my schoolwork on top of two sports and my role as a Congress member in my high school's branch of the National Honor Society. It is only natural that my grades would have fallen in comparison with the much more forgiving schedules of my previous two years. Despite lower marks than I had been used to, my main priority was still my own learning--and by the end of the school year, I had found another way to demonstrate the extent of my achievement. I scored well on the Advanced Placement exams in May--earning the award of Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction from the College Board. (I mentioned this in an e-mail as a follow-up to my initial application, but I am not positive if it was reviewed--attached to this petition is a copy.) I realize that the University of Washington prefers seeing positive grade trends, but I took initiative and made the decision to expose myself to far tougher work environments in order to prepare myself for college. In my senior year, I have adjusted and improved my first semester grade point average from last year, and in my second semester, I am maintaining nearly straight As--while still taking Advanced Placement Physics and Psychology, as well as University of Washington English 131/111. Recognizing myself as being the strongest advocate for my future does not stop here.</p>
<p>During this past semester of my senior year, I visited the Group Health Medical Center in Everett, as well as the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. I was able to find opportunities job-shadowing clinical pharmacists and medical doctors in their daily tasks. As I hope to one day pursue a career related to the field of health care, these experiences were extremely valuable. Among the nation's leading universities for research opportunities, the University of Washington in Seattle would be instrumental in helping me further my learning. With my longstanding passion for research-heavy subjects such as biology, it is without a doubt that I am able to find ample intrinsic motivation to continue to expand my own horizons. When I visited the campus last spring, I was both impressed and excited at the opportunities that the University of Washington allows its students access to--for years, my heart has been set on becoming a Washington Husky. I mention this not as a hollow plea, but rather because of my conviction that the University of Washington is truly the school for me.</p>