Is this a good enough reason for an appeal? (my twin was accepted and I wasn't)

[twithrow3]

I was rejected from the UC in my hometown, but my identical twin was accepted. We have very similar stats - even though my twin did slightly better GPA-wise, I did better on the SAT. I’m dealing with a complex familial situation right now, and I’d greatly appreciate anyone who could help me.

We decided a while ago that we wanted to stick together next year, so I’m not looking for someone to tell me “just split up, what’s the big deal?”. I’m sure anyone who is intimately acquainted with the twin experience and the nuances of twin relationships will understand where I’m coming from. It’s not that simple. If we went to the same school, it would be easier on my entire family. There are financial considerations as well.

Although I was seriously toying with the idea of moving out, my twin and my parents would prefer that I stay here. I’m starting to reconsider this option, especially because it would save money (which is a huge deal for me). I also have health problems, and the specialist I’ve been with for a year lives in the area. My parents are staff, ex-faculty, and alumni of the school. I’m a lifetime resident of the city where it is based.

= I have other, specific personal details that could aid in my appeal, but I don’t feel comfortable posting this information on a public forum that has zero privacy regulations, and very strict rules on editing and deleting posts. I could PM more details to anyone who is curious. =

The real trouble is this: I’ve been very, very torn these past few months about my college decision. I originally wanted to
move out and live in a different part of the state, but that’s starting to seem like a long-shot, for numerous reasons. That put me in the position of living at home next year. If I did this, I would have two pathways - attend the UC near me, or attend community college.

I was seriously toying with the idea of community college for many reasons, one of them being that I’m very drawn to the money saving aspect of it. I initially expected that both me and my twin would be accepted to the UC, or that both of us would be rejected - no one expected this situation to occur (and I can say this is the worst possible scenario, for everyone involved). If both of us were accepted, that means I would have had an additional window of about two months until May to make my final decision on where to go. During this time, I would do more research, visit campuses, etc. I realize that this is a decision I should have locked down a long time ago, but I didn’t (once again, for various reasons).

Now however, I feel as if I have to make my decision within the next few days. I don’t feel comfortable making an appeal unless I know I want to attend the UC. It is my understanding that when you go down the appeal process, you’re essentially committing to that school, and it would look very bad on you to rescind your acceptance a month later saying “whoops, changed my mind.” I’m receiving a large amount of pressure from everyone in my family to appeal. I know it’s a long shot, but if by some chance the appeal works, I wouldn’t want to turn it down. I’m worried that if I did, I would be burning bridges. In my mind, starting the appeal process means that if it works, I’m going to this UC, period. And I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that. I just wish I had more time to decide. My twin is a lot more open to the idea of going to the UC.

I don’t even know how the appeal process works - if your appeal is accepted, are you legally/financially obligated to attend that school the upcoming quarter? (the UC I’m looking into does not accept spring transfers, only fall freshman).

This is a very messy situation. I don’t want to make this post too long by getting into more detail, but if anyone could offer some guidance, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

[kingikidit]

Regardless if you’re twins and have nearly identical scores, there are many, and I stress, MANY factors that affect the admission process.

1. Sometimes it really goes down to the most basic things like SAT scores and GPA. Some UC's may find GPA slightly more important than GPA, and vice-versa. Maybe this UC prioritized GPA > SAT.
2. Another incredible factor would be extracurriculars and volunteering. I highly doubt you both had the same exact volunteer and extracurricular activities.
3. I'm assuming you both had different classes, maybe one you guys had an extra honors, or AP course, or took a class the other one didn't. Colleges pay attention to how challenging your courses are.
4. The personal statement. Many people underestimate the power of the personal statement. Obviously, neither of you had the exact same statement; therefore, your twin's statement may have been more powerful to the admissions officer, and while on this topic, maybe your twin had a more lenient, carefree, admission officer.
5. The major you applied for. Assuming you both don't have the same major, some majors are harder to get into than others.

However, if you feel that the “specific details” you have may further support your appeal, by all means, go for it.

And to answer your question, if you do go for an appeal, they’re assuming that you want to attend. However, in the end, if they accept your appeal, it’s really up to your choice from there. I mean, that’s the reason you made an appeal, right? Besides, you have nothing to lose if you choose to appeal.

I wish you luck with your decision!

[ucalumni]

I feel kingikidit did a great job answering your question. I also feel your dilemma is multifaceted and it cannot be depended on complete strangers to help solve it. You have hard decisions to make, but you are moving from being a teenager to an adult. Although you are not going down the road you expected to travel, other paths are open to you. I suggest you put aside any pride and look at all options that make sense to you, your academics, and your pocketbook. You may grow stronger on this route. Good luck.

[jbourne]

I am somewhat familiar with close twins and siblings and can understand you have conflicted feelings. Not knowing specifics, I am just going to suggest a possibility for you. If you went to a local community college and your twin went to the UC, you would: save money, still be close to your family, twin, and med dr because it sounds
like you would both live at home and then it would give yourself more time to decide if that particlular UC is right for you anyway. I am very surprised that they would take one twin and not the other. Maybe a quick call to your admissions officer could clarify that it wasn’t just an oversight. They might also advise you on if it was worth appealing. Regarding the appeal, yes they would assume you are going to attend if they approve it, BUT besides the family pressure, you are not legally or morally obligated to go (and don’t feel bad about it - they have thousands of applicants who will gladly take that spot - they won’t even care). I can see how it would be easier on your family if everyone was at the same school, but you need to convince them you are separate people with different needs. Good luck to you.

[sweetlacecharm]

Hi, I’m a twin like you. My twin and I both started out at community college, but she transferred to a UC first before me. Originally I was supposed to transfer at the same time as her, but because I didn’t pass a required math class in order to transfer, my acceptance got rescinded and I had to stay back another year. I passed the required math class I repeated, applied for the same school again (although at this point I wasn’t really interested in attending the same school as her since I had changed my major to East Asian Studies, and the EAS major at the UC I transferred to is nearly unheard of and isn’t as strong as the one in my hometown or at a neighboring UC), and got accepted. My first year of transferring, I lived together with my twin and her former suitemates from the dorms in a shared apartment. We’re (my twin and I) still living together now, although in a different apartment with different people. If you really want to go to the same UC as your twin, you can take a year of community college and then transfer. Of course, your sister will graduate ahead of you, but you’ll still get to spend the remaining 3 years with her.