Appealing My Decision

Colleges and Universities A-Z Georgetown University
1

<p>I applied to Georgetown in the RD round and was denied admission. I am cognizant of the fact that I was a rather average applicant, in terms of my GPA and scores. My grade point average was roughly a 3.5 (unweighted, with six AP classes) and my combined SAT's were a 2120. </p>

<p>For those of you who I am asking for advice, I was a very involved student, being editor of the school newspaper, editor of the yearbook, as well as president of the AIDS Awareness club. I had close to 200 hours of community service, had a great internship during the summer before senior year at a well-established non-profit org.</p>

<p>I have since been granted admission into the Honors College at my state school, and have placed a deposit there. I am willing to go in with an open mind, and am very clear-headed about all of this.</p>

<p>I know there are hundreds of students like me who were not granted admission to Georgetown's freshman class, though they think they were good fits. </p>

<p>I know that I can do brilliantly at any other university, and that your college experience is what you make it, but I also genuinely feel like Georgetown is the place where I will really thrive. Because Georgetown did not explicitly state in their letter that they would not entertain appeals, I started thinking about writing a letter.</p>

<p>I know that appeals are rarely successful, and the times that they are taken into consideration are when a students' files/scores are mixed up or something of the sort. My situation is a little different. I have written and self-published my own book, a fact that Georgetown had no knowledge of (the project developed quickly and unexpectedly). I have also secured a STELLAR personal internship with a very high profile (and political!) person this summer...he was listed on Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People list.</p>

<p>I wanted to gather some advice/thoughts/feedback about all of this. Should I go ahead and send an appeal? It couldn't hurt, right? Do I have a chance at all?</p>

<p>Please be aware: I am a very stable person, and I am not living under the delusion that I will certainly be the exception to Georgetown's established appeal policies. I am just weighing this option and seeing if it is even worth my time.</p>

<p>Looking forward to some constructive advice. Please, if you're going to tell me to "move on" or "get over it," don't waste your time. As I've stated, I've already deposited at a school where I'd be happy. I just want to be sure that I'd done everything I possibly can to get into the school that I most want to attend. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>It seems as though you have really thought this out, and truly believe that Georgetown is the right place for you. Moreover, you have shown that you have become an even stronger applicant and have accomplished very interesting things since your decision came out.</p>

<p>Although I don’t think your appeal will necessarily be fruitful, I do not think you have anything to lost by trying. I would, however, do it as soon as possible, as they will soon be sending out waitlist notifications. There is no guarantee that they will even read your letter, but as I said, you have nothing to lost by trying.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Also, you can always apply to transfer if your appeal doesn’t work!</p>

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<p>If they allow for it, go for it! You seem to be doing amazing things! I hope it works out in your favor</p>

5

<p>Thank you rainbsprinkles and thabxborough, for your advice, and your kind words. This was the boost of confidence I needed!</p>

<p>Thanks again for keeping it real!</p>

6

<p>Do not do this. Do NOT do this. You will not be successful and you will come across as entitled and pretentious, which will spoil your chance at possibly transferring next year. If you spend a successful year at your state school, you will have a chance at a transfer.</p>

7

<p>I second the person’s post above me. I wouldn’t really say you were “average” with your gpa. Mine was a 4.0 UW and a 4.52 weighted [with all APs this year and last year] and was waitlisted…and with a bunch more ECs, sans your awesome internship. If you are truly determined, I would definitely suggest the transfer route. You don’t want to seem entitled, even though you aren’t trying to be.</p>

8

<p>If I was to write a letter, I certainly would not be saying anything along the lines of, “I should have gotten in, you messed up.” I would be more inclined to let them know that I’ve had some recent achievments that I’d like them to know about, though I understand completely if it does not change anything and ultimately, I respect their decision.</p>

<p>potatoes345 and future president: you’ve already kind of swayed me to hold off until next year, but are there any stats you could refer me to?</p>

<p>Thank you all for your advice, I really do appeciate it.</p>

<p>PS: “I wouldn’t really say you were “average” with your gpa.” kind of snarky! lol. I attend a competitive high school on the east coast. 3+ kids got in this year from my school with similar stats</p>

9

<p>To the best of my knowledge, there’s not really even a formal appeal process much less stats on it. I have never heard of anyone who appealed a decision, much less appealed one successfully, though to be fair it’s not necessarily something you would mention. I’d encourage you to take a look at the websites of schools with a formal appeal process. For example, UCLA’s website on appeals states quite clearly: “High grades received in the senior year, recently acquired awards, or an increase in activities are not a basis for the reversal of a decision.” </p>

<p>I understand the impulse to send an appeal, but you just have to hold back. If you decide that you really simply must send an appeal (despite knowing full well you have an EXTREMELY though chance of success), then talk to your guidance/college counselor first. He/she may have experience and could, at least, call Georgetown and ask if they would be receptive to an appeal.</p>

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<p>@potatohead345 and futurepresident: while it may seem that he is being spoiled and pretentious, in the mind of whoever handles appeals, the fact that he is actively pursuing the college can be viewed as passionate and while it may not be successful, if he were to try to transfer there next year, they can see that he did everything possible for him to try to get in.</p>

<p>Although this is just a thought. I may be wrong</p>

11

<p>i’m so scared to talk to my gc about this… he’s going to flip out and think i’m crazy. what should i do?</p>

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<p>If you can’t talk to your gc about it, then I don’t suggest you do it. You’re lucky enough to have one, you should use him or her to your full advantage.</p>

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<p>I would not try to appeal, because I do not believe there is an appeal process at Georgetown. UCLA and the other University of California schools have an appeals process because they are public institutions which are subject to the due process rules of the U.S. and State Constitutions. As a private institution, Georgetown does not have to provide any reason why it did not accept you and it does not have to provide you wi8th any review process.</p>

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<p>@noidea : Even it is seems difficult, you should really talk to your GC. I am sure he will understand your position and may even lobby for you, be it now or later for transfer. He will appreciate you putting your faith in him and trusting him with your future plans. Moreover, he may be able to help you formulate a plan that gives you the best possible chance of getting into Georgetown at the most opportune time for you. My advice, take a deep breath and go see him before you do anything. I have no doubts you will feel a lot better after you get his advice.</p>

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<p>I wish you luck and please keep us informed</p>

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<p>Doubt make a differance. One student turned down frpn Stanford with letter from the Pope</p>

17

<p>Just got into NYU off the waitlist. This acceptance has helped me make the decision to return to my dream of Georgetown for transfer or grad school, and leave the appeal alone.</p>

<p>Thank you all for the advice, it really helped me during a confusing time. This is CC at its best. Again, thank you, particularly those of you who cautioned me to really think through my decison.</p>

18

I was waitlisted to Clemson and appealed the decision. I had some circumstances in my life at the time that hindered my ability to do well in school.Also I was frustrated watching my friends with way lower scores than me get in due to their in-state status. I thought my guidance counselor would think I was crazy, but he was in full support of the appeal. It couldn’t hurt, the worst they could say is no. You shouldn’t worry about being pretentious - colleges look for people who are confident and sure of their abilities and willing to fight for their success. I say do it!

19

Transfer admit rates are even lower than freshman admit rates, so if you have nothing to lose, I agree with bostonloaf and say take a risk if you find yourself in this situation. I realize OP was in 2011. But the message of bostonloaf is a good one.