<p>Can I have some feedback on my appeal letter to UCB? My stats were pretty decent (3.75 unweighted, 1910 SATs) and I had a lot of leadership roles, community service, a whole crap load of extra curricular, and basically everything that colleges look for, so what do you think my chances are of my appeal getting approved? </p>
<p>To Whom it May Concern:</p>
<p>My name is _________, and I was rejected from UC Berkeley.</p>
<p>After months of anxiously awaiting a response from UC Berkeley, I was disappointed to read that I was rejected. This was hard to swallow, considering that attending Cal has always been my dream. I’m sure you’re tired of hearing that cliché by now, but I cannot think of any other way to express my deep interest in your university. I went through my whole high school career with UC Berkeley as my ultimate goal. I strived to better myself in high school hoping that when the time came, I would be good enough to walk among some of the country’s best at UC Berkeley. Though saddened by the decision, I understand that the admission board had the difficult task of choosing a fraction of students out of a pool of equality deserving applicants, and I fully respect your decision in rejecting me.</p>
<p>However, I felt perfectly at home when I visited the campus. I’ve done so much research on the rich history of the university that I could probably write my own book. I listen in awe when my friends tell me of the world-class education they are receiving and how much they can feel themselves growing at UC Berkeley. I cannot ignore this sort of connection I have made with UC Berkeley, and that is why I feel obligated to give my dream school one last shot with this letter.</p>
<p>After carefully reviewing my application, I realize now that it left many of my personal circumstances unclear. It is for this reason, and a successful first semester of my senior year, that I find grounds for appeal.</p>
<p>• During my junior year, I lost my grandfather to cancer. It was a time of grief and deep heartache, and when I thought the situation could not get worse, I lost my best friend to cancer a few months after. I was in a state of shock, depression, and disbelief that had a severe impact on my academics. Through these tough times I was able to manage my responsibilities in my track team, my club, my family, and my church, as well as maintain a decent unweighted GPA of 3.59 (weighted 4.07). However, I received B’s in classes I had potential to earn A’s in had I not been in this terrible situation and were able to focus more on my schoolwork, resulting in a less competitive GPA. </p>
<p>• I failed to make clear in my application that I am the eldest of five siblings in my family. I have a five-year-old brother and a six-year-old sister who are my responsibility until my parents come home late from work. When I get home from track practice at six, my attention turns to my brother and sister as I help them with their schoolwork, make them dinner, and get them ready for bed. After they are put to bed, I finally start my own schoolwork at around ten o’clock. During my high school career I was able to balance this extra responsibility while striving academically. </p>
<p>• In my application, I mentioned that I have volunteered at my church every Sunday since freshmen year. However, I failed to make clear that my responsibilities at church were given to me prior to high school and I actually started volunteering for my church choir in the sixth grade. This gives me a total of seven years working for this organization and not just the four that are represented on my application.</p>
<p>• So far my senior year has been well off. Last fall my volleyball team had a very successful season, and I was named Most Valuable Defensive Player at the season’s ending. Since the beginning of the school year, I have been working and conditioning with my track coaches as well, even through volleyball season. I am currently ranked 3rd in the Central Coast Section (made up of 145 high schools) for the triple jump, and am on track to compete on the state level for the first time this year. Also, I won second place in a school-wide science fair and went on to represent my school at the district science fair where I finished in fourth place out of forty other projects.</p>
<p>I greatly appreciate the time you are taking to re-evaluate my application. I can really think of no other university that fits me better than UC Berkeley. I assure you that I have so much to offer Cal, not only as a student but also as an active member of the UCB community. I hope I have succeeded in providing you with a clearer picture of who I am and how I can contribute to your university, and that I will be granted the opportunity to continue my studies at such a fine institute.</p>
<p>Sincerely, </p>