<p>So I thought I would post my experience with the appeals process, basically my story/stats and experience hoping that it helps someone. While I was in the process of appealing it was really hard to maintain any sort of hope that it would work as I heard appeals are rarely successful. With minimal posts in college confidential regarding appeals all I had to go off of was the UT website. This left A LOT of unanswered questions, so hopefully something in here will help someone...</p>
<p>My story (stats)
I applied to two school within COLA because I would like to double major. This is my second time applying (applied for spring 2012). I knew going into the whole process my chances were slim. Although my CC calculates my GPA at 3.7something, UT prior to sending my updated transcript had it calculated as a 3.17 (not sure the exact number but it was between 3.15 and 3.2). Regardless of what it was, it was far too low to even get me into COLA. This semester I enrolled in 3 mini semesters to boost my GPA to 3.3 (the minimum I have seen accepted, aside from a few rare cases). I noticed their was a discrepency in the online grade book for my econ class, by the time my teacher responded grades had been returned, I received a B although had earned an A. Long story short after a month of showing up at the office and calling the grade had still not been changed and UT made the decision based on my previous GPA(3.17).
HCC finally changed my grade, no joke the next day. </p>
<p>The Appeals
So I got up the next morning at 6:30 and drove to UT to meet with an admission counselor. I would highly suggest this to anyone appealing, she was incredibly helpful. I sat down with her and we looked over my transcript and I explained the issues with my updated transcript. She said they typically discourage appealing (which makes sense of course this is a lot of peoples dream school, who wouldn't want a second chance). She said many students appeal without new information simply to have their application looked over a second time, which isn't what the process is designed for. She told me because my GPA increased to 3.3 that it was definitely worth a shot. She said my chances were slim due to my GPA and the fact not many get in via appeals, but reassured me that these are the kind of appeals they like to receive. </p>
<p>She told me to include the information about my transcript errors, as well as include my projected GPA without my first semester(3.73). She told me to be sure to include this because they look at what UT projects it at. The only reason my GPA is so low is because I had a devastating first semester (3 F's) before receiving treatment for my alcoholism. I discussed this briefly in my appeal as well, although it was the basis of the optional essay. In the concluding paragraph I discussed how UT would benefit for my passion for conservation, and how I would benefit from such a rigorous intellectual environment. I ended it with thank you for your thoughtful consideration my name and UTEID. I was told to keep the letter as condensed as possible, my appeals letter came out to one page (although I could have included more). </p>
<p>I was told the process would take roughly 2 weeks maybe a little longer. I didn't hear back however until 23 days later. I decided that I wouldn't call and ask them how much longer as I know it is sometimes difficult for them to stick to the dates as there really is (as the rejection letter reads) such a large pool of competitive applicants. The only time I did call was a few days after I mailed my transcript to ensure they received it. I was told that my status would not change to say an appeal was being processed although I had seen that else where on college confidential others status had changed (which may be the case for freshman applicants-- i am a transfer student).</p>
<p>So with a 3.3 and 76 hours I was admitted to COLA Environmental Science after two rejections and one appeal. </p>
<p>I understand this was like really long and drawn out but when I was applying as well as appealing I was searching for anything on successful appeals, or searching for someone with a similar story (a bad semester really messing up their GPA). I have no idea how many get in via appeals each year, but I did even with an awful semester plastered on my transcript.</p>
<p>Really wish you all the best of luck, don't give up, and keep faith. </p>
<p>HOOK EM</p>