Appeals for Rejection

Colleges & Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I know it's a bit early to think about this, but Berkeley has been my dream school since my freshman year, and even under the most optimistic circumstances, it is a borderline case for me. So I was hoping if I could ask the experienced minds of CC if my situation would be worthy of an appeal, and even possible eventual acceptance if I do get rejected (you can tell I'm not super confident)</p>

<p>Okay, here goes
Application type: International Student from Hong Kong
Major: Chemical Engineering
SAT: 630W/640R/750M (2020)
Subject tests: Math II, Physics, Chem (all 800s)
ACT: 34C/32E/35M/34R/36S/29E+W
UWGPA: 3.7
UCGPA: 4.2
Essays: REALLY passionate essay about my love for chemistry, I can back it up with my online course taken in organic chemistry, me tutoring chemistry, and being the AP Chemistry TA
ECs: Few, but leaders in most, if not all, and serious time comittments (ranging from bassoon playing in band + orchestras, table tennis, and community service (tutoring))
Noting that excluding freshman year, I've gotten an A in every math and science course</p>

<p>So my grounds for appeal.</p>

<p>In freshman year, I took honors biology and got a C+ in that course, I know that Berkeley won't put that in my GPA so it SHOULDN'T be anything to be concerned about. However, my first semester senior year, I got an A- in AP Biology (so pretty much an A in their eyes), so I'm not actually biology retarded....</p>

<p>Second thing is, I took the SAT January again to bolster my chances for other universities, unfortunately, Berkeley doesn't take the January SAT. However, my score then was 670W/740R/800M (2210), which is a significant improvement</p>

<p>So I was wondering, if I did so choose to appeal, would these be sufficient grounds to at least allow me a SMALL SMALL chance???</p>

<p>Btw, if it helps, I got accepted into UCI and UCD, awaiting UCSB, UCLA, and UCB, haven't been rejected by any UCs yet. All for same major. </p>

2

<p>Don’t stress out over the appeal process if you don’t even know your fate yet. There are more productive (and less stressful) things you could be doing with your time.</p>

<p>If the worst should happen, I think the first step is usually to call the school and ask <em>why</em> you were rejected. That’ll give you an idea of what you’re working against. As for actually appealing, I’m pretty sure they only want new (and relevant) information. I’m not sure an A- or a freshman course would be considered new or relevant, SAT score may give you a tiny boost but I’m not sure.</p>

3

<p>Is this all the same stuff that was on your application (aside from the new SAT)? If so, realize that when you appeal, you need to show how you’ve changed and why they should reconsider you. You can’t just appeal with everything being the same and expect a different outcome (though that does sometimes happen). </p>

4

<p>You might like Davis. Small town. Bike to everywhere. Cheaper housing. You can even take some classes at Berkeley because it’s only an hour away. Better to be at the top of an entering class then the middle so professors will notice you more. You’ve got lots of good options with more to come. </p>

5

<p>Didn’t you get a 34 in the ACT? That’s competitive enough for Chemistry at Berkeley IMO. Appealing with a 2200 SAT will not help your chances because you have a high ACT score. The other point of appeal is quite trivial too - Unless you won a significant award in Biology, I don’t think it will be worthwhile for you to appeal.</p>

6

<p>Don’t stress too much about this! I actually got more than three Cs in high school and I am currently a senior at UC Berkeley :slight_smile: If you do get rejected, I would suggest you appeal if you really want to go to Berkeley (why not right?). I have friends who appealed without anything significant and they ended up getting accepted. However, chemical engineering at UC Berkeley is extremely hard and many people in the major end up changing majors (even though they were really good at chemistry in high school with awards, and etc). So, it is important to keep that in mind. </p>

7

<p>Thanks for the help guys!!!</p>

<p>I guess it’s difficult for anyone to MAGICALLY change into a better student in the short span of 4 months, so any appeal would most likely get turned down. But like totalcaprice said, why the hell not, give it a shot.</p>

<p>Who knows, maybe they’ll find it in their kind hearts to accept me O.o???</p>