<p>@beamers
Haha no worries it took me a while to find it too.
Ok so first log into to your my Berkeleyapp.
Now it should take you to the page with the rejection letter.
Now within the actual letter there is a link embedded in the words “frequently asked questions” highlighted in blue.
It is somewhere near the bottom half of the letter.
Once you click that link it will take you to the faqs page.
Now read and search for the appeals information and there it will tell you that you have to submit your appeal online by April 15th and give you the link to the online form.</p>
<p>Found the appeal form. So the entire appeal is done online, correct? Nothing is mailed in?</p>
<p>Also, what is the appeal word limit?</p>
<p>Yes just the form. It also gives you the option to have a letter of recommendation sent, but its optional.
There is no word limit.</p>
<p>And yes everything must be done online.</p>
<p>Can we submit another essay as well? One of my scholarship essays is much better than the two UC essays I submitted and highlights the ‘quirks’ of my character more, and I wanted to submit that but I wasn’t sure if that was really what the appeal was for.</p>
<p>How long should the essay be? I see online there’s no limit to the wordcount. I was thinking a page or less. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Should we appeal? He was accepted to Davis, Georgia Tech, Purdue, U of I Urbana Champagne’s James Scholar program and Rose-Hulman plus UC Davis…but NOT CAL!</p>
<p>Major: Electrical Engineering
Sat I : 2270 math: 800 writing: 800 Critical Reading: 670
Sat II : Math 2: 800 Physics: 790 Chemistry: 750
Weighted GPA here: 4.4 unweighted 3.76
Class Rank: 7 out of 400
AP scores: 5 Chemistry, 5 English Lit comp, 4 Physics, 4 Bio
Some EC’s here: President <a href=“http://www.vinevillagesolar.com%5B/url%5D”>www.vinevillagesolar.com</a> doing a complete solar installation on facility for people with Down Syndrome, black belt tae kwan do, Captain Tennis Team, plays 4 instruments (guitar, clarinet, trumpet, piano and learning bag-pipes)
Awards: National Merit, AP Scholar with Distinction, State Biliteracy Seal (4 years honors German at A level), Top student in the County of Napa award
Engineering camps: Rose-Hulman Electrical Engineering pod</p>
<p>I’m seeing some very low SAT scores that are getting in to Berkeley. I don’t understand other than the engineering department being so highly selective that many don’t get it, how it is that with our sons stats he would not be admitted.</p>
<p>One thing he exemplifies is modesty. He doesn’t see the need to sell himself, show much passion…he’s a true engineer from a family of engineers. So his essays, although impeccably written, were not nearly as passionate as others I’ve read.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if he were to write an appeal that included this if it would make a difference?</p>
<p>In 2006 I, his mother, was the victim of attempted rape/attempted murder while showing a home. Subsequently when our family was taking a trip 6 months later to celebrate my mother’s return to real estate we were stuck on the tarmac for 9 hours and 17 minutes in Austin Texas. I became a national grass roots advocate, which significantly put stress on our family i.e. mom’s lack of income, TV cameras always at our home, mother testified 7 times before Congress and got 1 law and 28 rules promulgated by DOT for airline passengers; almost lost our home due to financial stress in summer of 2012 and yet I still maintained my GPA and grew it in the first semester of my senior year, while keeping the rigor of my course load.</p>
<p>Would this story, expanded, make a difference in an appeal? He did win the Top student in Napa county for the Month of February award in February of this year, and has had the best win loss ratio on his tennis team this year!</p>
<p>Please any feedback!</p>
<p>Coolkate, If he did not mention your hardships and financial stress in his essays, then I believe he could use that for the basis of an appeal. His Top Student award, however, would not. The appeals process is for students whose application was negatively affected by health or fiscal circumstances before or during the application process. Grades and achievement made in the 8th semester would, I understand, not count.</p>
<p>Its really a testament to how exceedingly difficult it is to get into a UC school when students like your son, with such impressive scores and grades, are not admitted. Best of luck on your appeal.</p>
<p>I sent my appeal off today after dedicating a great deal of time editing it. My SAT’s sucked, but my grades are a huge anomaly at my school. I know Berkeley doesn’t look at race, but I am an African American male and in my county, the statistics for my race are extremely negative. I had a family crisis before my application that I didn’t include in my Application, so now I’m entering that in my appeal, plus my new honors and updated grades. I also raised my SAT 200 points in only 3 weeks. The score I got is not high but it was 200 points better than the prior score. My grades are really high and I am an accomplished athlete too. These things, with out the mention of my race are the basis of my appeal.</p>
<p>Wrongnotes</p>
<p>Going back to your first post where you showed your GPA, was that the UC GPA or your schools version of your GPA? I just found out today that my sons UC GPA was lower than the transcript from his high school. I also found out that two of his classes that were honors classes, were not given honors credit by the UC’s. </p>
<p>Ryan Byrd, can you post your appeal letter? I’d love to get an idea of what folks are saying in their appeals.</p>
<p>@COOLKATE- Here is my Letter. </p>
<p>To whom it may concern:</p>
<p>My life experienced a significant deal of change during the application process. My intentions are not to gain sympathy, but the matter that affected me the most is the ongoing issue with a dear uncle. Last year during the application process, my family has struggled with my uncle. The major event in September of 2012, when he was convicted of first degree murder, several counts of burglary and assault. In the chaos of the action, my aunt and my four female cousins were put in jeopardy. My uncle committed a vehicular murder killing a state trooper before he was eventually caught and arrested. After this affair our entire family received negative attention and this sent my house into immediate upheaval. Even at the age of 17, I still could not understand how my beloved uncle, a benevolent man with a kind spirit could be responsible for such monstrosities. The incident caused severe depression and became a challenge for me psychologically, yet I was still pushing myself to balance a hectic athletic schedule, a rigorous academic schedule, commitment to clubs, and self instructed SAT prep. During this trying time I maintained an A average and continued to perform well on the athletic playing field. I used this tragic situation to fuel my success and I managed to persevere. This family affair continues to proceed, however my family is pressing ahead and I am staying resilient for my family, by producing academically and socially.</p>
<p>The views that I hold on the world and social equality will come to full fruition at any other institution; however, they will be better accepted at Berkeley. I have been accepted to some very reputable universities including: the University of California at Santa Cruz, the University of Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University; however the renowned reputation of UC Berkeley’s program in social science cannot be overlooked. Not only will my drive and persistence reinforce the program, but Berkeley will strengthen me the most, making me a better agent for social change. After researching, the Free Speech Movement, the history of protests and activism, I believe that the passion I possess for liberating others; for understanding others; and for serving others, will be a positive addition to the community at Berkeley. </p>
<p>I have acquired some new accomplishments in academics, athletics and other areas as well. I received A’s in all of my first semester coursework including several challenging college courses such as: College Algebra, Introduction to Sociology, and Honors Psychology. I have currently received A’s in all of my second semester courses, which include: AP Literature and Composition, AP U.S. History, Spanish II, and Leadership development. My GPA has increased to a 4.3 weighted/3.8 unweighted. While playing football I received these awards: first team all-conference for my performance at wide receiver and cornerback; second team all-area for my performance at cornerback; coach’s award for being an outstanding role model for the team; I was also recruited by Methodist University and North Carolina Wesleyan College as a Division III recruit. This winter, I led my basketball team at the point guard position and leading defensive player, before I suffered a broken hand causing me to miss the rest of the season and the first four games of baseball season. Other accolades I was recognized for are: being voted homecoming king, being voted treasurer for the National Honor Society, being selected as a national finalist for the 2012-2013 Discus Award for being an all-around high school student, and I was recognized as a performer for my third consecutive talent show. My senior year has been an ultimate success, despite the adversity I have faced within my family, academic stress and sports injuries.</p>
<p>In summation, I respect your decision to deny me admission; however I do hope that with the addition of new information, you will reconsider. Although my school is small, I have taken advantage of every opportunity afforded me. I am a competitive student as well as an accomplished athlete. Along with this personal letter of appeal, I had my AP Literature and Composition teacher, Mrs. Melanie Delph, attach a letter of recommendation. Thank you for your considerations and roll on you bears!</p>
<p>Ryan,</p>
<p>This is a very compelling essay! Well done. I hope it works.</p>
<p>I have a question. Is your weighted GPA the same as the UC GPA? I did not know until yesterday that my sons GPA for UC was lower than his schools stated GPA, which I’m sure made a difference in terms of acceptance to CAL and/or Regents Scholarship at Davis where he was accepted.</p>
<p>Also, I cannot log in to the Berkeley system to find the information on appeals. Could you copy the list of characteristics they require in an appeal to this string?</p>
<p>Thanks Ryan, and best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Kate</p>
<p>ON my application this was My UC GPA’s: (W 4.3/ UW 3.88). These were actually higher than my GPA on my transcripts from school at that time; however, my GPA has increased since the submission of my application, so now I have a higher UC GPA. I will post you a link of how to calculate UC GPA.</p>
<p>Link for calculating UC GPA: <a href=“http://collegetools.berkeley.edu/documents/cat_113-128/Calculating_GPA.pdf[/url]”>http://collegetools.berkeley.edu/documents/cat_113-128/Calculating_GPA.pdf</a></p>
<p>To get information about the appeal and to get started now, your son must first log on to his MyBerkeleyApplication portal where they informed him on his admissions status. In the letter in the portal, there is a link that is underlined called “frequently asked questions”, click on it. When the page loads, scroll down to the section on appeals and the appeal process. That section will let you know how the appeals are handled at Berkeley. In this section there is an underlined link that says, “submit your appeal request online”, click it and this will allow your son to work on his request. The appeal requires a personal letter from your son and an optional letter of recommendation. The appeal deadline ends Monday April 15, 2013, so hurry and good luck!</p>
<p>PS: thanks for the compliment on my essay.</p>
<p>If any of you have the time, can you please provide feedback on my appeal.</p>
<p>Dear University of California, Berkeley Appeals Committee,
I learned on March 28, 2013 that I was denied freshman admission to University of California, Berkeley for the 2013 fall semester. While I am aware that the admissions committee at UC Berkeley has carefully reviewed my application, in light of significant, new information provided in this letter, I respectfully request that the Freshmen Appeals Committee reevaluate my application.
After submitting my UC Berkeley application, I started a reading and music program at a preschool near my house. Every Tuesday, I read books or perform songs on my clarinet for the preschoolers in order to help them develop an interest in reading and music at an early age. My goal in creating the program was to foster a love in reading and music for the children. I believe that the reading and music program I created significantly increases my qualifications as an applicant to UC Berkeley because the program demonstrates my commitment to helping others as well as my ability to take the initiative and seek out opportunities instead of waiting for them. These qualities will make me successful at UC Berkeley because I do not rely on opportunities to be presented to me. Instead, I search for club, internship, or research opportunities.
One opportunity that I have taken full advantage of is the Certificate of Merit (CM) examination for piano, given by the Music Teacher’ Association of California (MTAC). Within the last month, I have taken and passed the CM test for Level 9, meaning that I am now on the Advanced Level. According the MTAC syllabus for 2013, it is considered an impressive feat if a senior in high school is able to pass the Level 7 CM test. Not only did I excel past what is considered impressive, but I was able to do so in only six years when the average time it takes to reach the Advanced Level is ten years. I would not have been able to reach the coveted level in such a short span of time if it were not for diligence and persistence. Both of these qualities will help me face any challenges or tribulations that I might find at UC Berkeley. Additionally, these qualities will allow me to succeed in the rigors of UC Berkeley’s academic course work.
The straight A’s I received during the first semester of my senior year in high school also demonstrate that I will be able to handle the course work at UC Berkeley. On my UC application, I stressed that, throughout my sophomore and junior year of high school, there was a significant upward trend in my GPA; I went from a 3.33 cumulative GPA to a 3.96 cumulative GPA during that span. The 4.5 GPA I received during my first semester of my senior year proves that I am still maintaining my GPA. Additionally, since I received straight A’s last semester, I have gotten nine A’s out of a total eleven semesters of AP classes. My high performance in AP classes shows that I am not only capable of handling the rigorous college coursework that is offered at UC Berkeley, but I am able to excel in these difficult classes.
I sincerely hope that my new accomplishments and activities since the time I have submitted my application will be enough for the Freshmen Appeals Committee to offer me admission to UC Berkeley. In the four months after submitting my application, I proved that I can take the initiative, help others, and excel due to my diligence and persistence. I will bring an intelligent and driven, yet diverse and well rounded, student to UC Berkeley. I have always held UC Berkeley in the highest regard, and it has been my goal to attend UC Berkeley since I first learned about the college nine years ago. I know that the chances of being admitted due to an appeal are slim. However, I cannot let a goal of mine nine years in the making abruptly end without knowing that I exhausted all possible options to achieve that goal. I am so confident that I can thrive in UC Berkeley, as well as bring a desired applicant to the college that, if my original admissions decision is reversed, I will not for a moment hesitate to submit my Statement of Intent to Register to UC Berkeley.</p>
<p>I was thinking about saying that my grades were so low during my sophomore year because there was a lot of change going on in my life (my parents were changing jobs and some of my relatives were starting to become very ill), but I don’t really feel like that’s the reason why my grades were low, and it’s not really a compelling reason.</p>
<p>@gswsjssf49- I think your letter is great. The letter really expresses your true efforts and it doesn’t sound contrived or forged. I wish you the best of luck!</p>
<p>When is the exact (time) deadline for appeal? I am a bit confused.</p>
<p>@collateraldamas- The deadline they posted in my MyBerkeleyApplication is April 15, 2013. They say that you can submit after that date, however you will not receive the decision from them before May 1, 2013. May 1st is when they will be notifying those that got there appeals in April 15th or before. You might want to do it before April 15th or it might not get reviewed.</p>
<p>Thank @RyanByrd7!! Your appeal was great too. I’m sorry about everything that happened with your uncle, but you handled the whole situation exceptionally. I read the first draft, and you did a great job shortening and revising it. Best of luck and I hope we both get in!</p>
<p>So this means we can send in our appeal on the 15th and still get a response by may 1st? or does it have to be before the 15th?</p>
<p>You can submit today</p>