Can someone PLEASE read my appeal letter?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>The basic story: I applied to UCLA School of Film, Theatre, and Television and was rejected. They only accepted 15 transfers; 4-5 were to come from out-of-state; therefore, I was really competing for around 10 spots...Anyways, I didn't do TAP, neither was I in the honor's program so I wasn't even considered for an alternate major.</p>

<p>However, I worked my a55 off in CC and I have a huge fascination with Philosophy, which would like to do it at UCLA.</p>

<p>STATS
GPA - 4.0
E.C. - less than average, but enough fodder for me to say I've done some
Essay - "impressive" - according to counselors I've shown
TAP - no
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Tricky part: UCLA Philosophy pre-reqs were not really offered at my school, but there were classes that were "similar" - I took two courses: intro and religion. I know the intro one should transfer, but other than that, I didn't do the other pre-reqs because I was unsure if they would transfer, plus I was still finishing up GE's for Film/IGETC for other schools.</p>

<p>Anyways:</p>

<p>I didn't write a sob story; no offense to others who've experienced bad things, but I know lots of people who are willing to take advantage of the good intentions of others, so I wrote truthfully; however, "truthfully" apparently doesn't appear to translate as a "good" letter to people nowadays... :(</p>

<p>UCLA</a> Appeal</p>

<ol>
<li>Please give me any tips or constructive criticism. </li>
</ol>

<p>-I apologize if there are any grammar errors, but I just wrote this last night.</p>

<ol>
<li>Should I send this now? </li>
</ol>

<p>-I am also including my transcripts (to show my 4.0 gpa; phil admits were in the 3.4 range) and a piece of writing regarding the philosophical aspects regarded in cinema.</p>

<ol>
<li>What are my chances?</li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for your time!</p>

2

<p>My question to you is this: what new information is there that changes your academic standing? As it stands, the letter seems to boil down to “I didn’t get into film, but I love philosophy, so could you consider me for that?” which, to me, seems unlikely to convince the admissions committee that they should reconsider you for admission.</p>

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<p>Yeah, that’s the thing. My academic record was quite stable for the past two years because I MADE SURE of that. But I am so much more of a studious, mature, and inspired student way more than I was from high school; I had a somewhat low 3 gpa, ditched school, etc. I didn’t talk about this in my original application.</p>

<p>What do you recommend I write about, then?</p>

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<p>What’s your favorite film?</p>

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<p>@ Oquendo: I’ll be happy to read it! Would you read mine? It isn’t quite finished yet though.</p>

<p>I’m also appealing, but as a psych major.</p>

<p>I just got off the phone with a guy at admissions, and he told me that I was probably rejected because they didn’t recognize my General Principles of Biology class as a prereq for UCLA’s psych department. What’s interesting is: On assist.org it is blatantly stated as one of the possible prereq choices.</p>

<p>The guy said that I had a legitimate case to appeal and that someone may have misread the prereq articulation agreement from my CCC. </p>

<p>Hoping for the best!!</p>

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<p>when i was pending and worried i talked to my counselor, and she said that if i were to appeal,i should follow exactly what they want from their admissions website. exactly!
and have two letters of recommendation and NOT to send transcripts. </p>

<p>[Appeals</a> - Transfer Applicants - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/appealstr.htm]Appeals”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/appealstr.htm)</p>

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<p>Okay so I liked your appeal very much. Initially I was skeptical because applying to a different major as an appeal is pretty unorthodox, and I don’t think they normally condone that.</p>

<p>However, after reading about how you managed to dovetail philosophy to TFT, and realizing that you actually do enjoy and want to pursue philosophy, it seems like you have a much stronger case. I like how you synthesized it. I would say that you have a strong appeal case!</p>

<p>I mean a 4.0 into philosophy…normally should be an easy acceptance.</p>

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<p>@emilsinclair9</p>

<p>Sure, I’d love to read it! Thank you for your time! However, what you were saying earlier scares me, though:</p>

<p>"I was probably rejected because they didn’t recognize my General Principles of Biology class as a prereq for UCLA’s psych department. "</p>

<p>I only did one (arguably two) pre-reqs for the reasons listed above^…</p>

<p>Does anyone think I should bring that up in the appeal or should I keep it on the “down low?” :)</p>

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<p>I’m not sure what you mean. You didn’t take the prereqs because you weren’t sure if they counted? </p>

<p>hmmm and perhaps that’s why you didn’t apply to philosophy initially ;p. </p>

<p>Well I think you should call again. I’ve called 4…yes 4 times. Each time successfully getting a different person. If you’re super polite, they’ll ask for your info, put you on hold, and look up your stats.</p>

<p>I had the stats and prereqs done, so when I was rejected, I figured that it was my personal statements that did me in…even though I thought that they were pretty strong.</p>

<p>Evidently, the rep told me that they missed my bio course or that perhaps the ambiguity around it wasn’t clarified, and they just concluded that I was missing a prereq…which is not the case.</p>

<p>Appeal time.</p>

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<p>BTW I received this information on my final call…thank god I called again. We persist! lol.</p>

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<p>Yeah. I didn’t want to take courses that might not have transferred since I still needed to do pre-reqs/IGETC stuff for my other schools I applied to for film.</p>

<p>Plus, it said on the assist.org that there were NO CLASSES that were course-to-course equivalents for UCLA-CC; HOWEVER, it showed classes that were “similar,” enclosing a disclaimer that these may not transfer…</p>

<p>I’m not sure if I should put that in my appeal, though…</p>

<p>Not to mention, I have a friend who got into anthropology and only did TWO pre-reqs and they were ALL offered at my school (which makes me wonder why some who did ALL pre-reqs got rejected even with great GPA’s)</p>

<p>Good luck to you, too!</p>

12

<p>@ Quentin13</p>

<h2>*The Third Man ('49) - for now</h2>

<p>However, I get moody so I’ll change it up every so often:</p>

<p>A few others I can’t tired of:</p>

<p>Rear Window ('54)
Vertigo ('58)
Chinatown ('74)
Taxi Driver ('76) - which I wrote my philosophical analysis on
Manhattan ('77)</p>

<p>My biggest hope is the fact that UCLA would want someone who has a different approach/reasoning for entering philosophy…</p>

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<p>Yeah I mean I don’t see why it would hurt to include it! That would explain your situation a bit better imo. I mean if it has that disclaimer, I wouldn’t have done the prereqs either. That said, you may as well write about it. I don’t see how it could hurt.</p>

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<p>I’d let you in with those picks old man.</p>

<p>I like the letter it’s pretty concise and too the point without sacrificing anything. Although I wonder whether you’re going to keep the bolded portions in there? Seems a little redundant to put emphasis on things they already know.</p>

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<p>@emilsinclair9</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Did you send yours yet? Correct me if I am wrong, but I remember reading your stats and you have definitely a HIGH chance at appeal. You took like 8 pre-req’s, right?</p>

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<p>@ Quentin13</p>

<p>Duly noted, old man indeed :wink: </p>

<p>Will revise bolds/italics.</p>

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<p>All prereqs done (4.0 in prereqs). + 8 other psych classes on top lol :). I’m kind of a psychology nerd.</p>

<p>I’m sending mine soon; I’m just trying to compile some appeal letters. CCC professors are a tough crowd to get this type of help from lmao.</p>

<p>I have most of what I want to say done. I’ll shoot you a PM once I finish it (probably tonight). </p>

<p>I wish you the best man!</p>

18

<p>Wow! I can’t even fathom doing 8 pre-requisites; hell, I can’t even name more than 5 types of psych classes:</p>

<p>intro
sexuality
abnormal
stats
woman
…at the top of my head…</p>

<p>I am very certain your case is easily overturnable, considering you have PHYSICAL evidence to prove. I wouldn’t worry as much as me, lol.</p>

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<p>You need new information</p>

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<p>You need to be more specific. The majority of the information in my appeal is new.</p>