Major: Computer Science (L&S)
GPA: 3.91
IGETC: done
ECs: math/physics tutor, spent lots of time in programming club, went to many hackathons and made lots of projects
Instate student
Many people told me to appeal, and I’ve heard that it can work as long as I write about why I really deserve to go to Cal and why it will help me achieve my dreams. I would really appreciate any tips or any stories about successful appeals. If anybody can help me with my appeal essay, send me a PM.
Truth be told, most appeals won’t go through, and it’s suggested that you appeal /only/ if you have new and compelling information that was not previously mentioned on your application. Emphasis on new, because if they rejected your application before and you appeal again with no further comment other than why you should get in, your appeal will likely not go through.
For instance, new and compelling information could be that maybe you were going through some hardship in the fall that you did not mention in additional comments. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a hardship; maybe you were accepted into an amazing summer internship or received a prestigious award after you submitted, something that proves your application at the time did not reflect you in full.
In short, you have to tell them this: Although I was rejected, here is some new and compelling information that tells you why I am a stronger applicant than before.
Do you maybe have something like that, new/compelling information?
Really sorry I can’t offer any tips, but I’m in a similar boat. L&S CS, 3.95 gpa. I went over the unit cap for inter-campus transfers (immediate disqualification, what a revelation that was) and have dropped two extraneous classes to amend it, so hopefully it’s suitable grounds for appeal.
For what it’s worth I have heard of ppl getting a successful appeal simply by stating vehemently why they need the UC. I’m sure it’s rare, but it happens. The point is there is no harm in appealing. Just make sure to bring your most persuasive game (whatever it is) and SIR somewhere else to cover your butt.
Ive been to a couple of workshops and theyve always said that appeals only work if you have new information. Like explaining why you got a B because of transportation and home life issues etc.
Does anybody know if I could call them and find out the reason for rejection? My stats isn’t super impressive but I’m dying to know why I got rejected:
International applicant
Mechanical Engineering. Transfer from a WA CC
Gpa: 3.96, major gpa:3.98
Prereq: Only 2 left which will be done by the end of Spring quarter
EC: Stem Tutor, ESL tutor, orientation leader.
Essay: 8-8.5/10 I guess. Have a couple of professor look at it.
@soda4schrodinger wow yeah your stats are really good too you should definitely appeal! and yes I’ve already started to appeal.
@lindyk8@Bearly you know, i started writing my appeal letter with reasons why I should attend Berkeley and basically me flexing with some new ECs, but my sister thinks its a much better idea to only write about the family and financial struggles I had and how I managed to deal with them, get straight As, and work 20 hours a week, etc.
Yes, your sister is correct. Write about family and financial struggles. The posted reasons are : new compelling info that you didn’t mention in your application, meaning it has to be during that time before end of application period. They supposedly will not take in to acct grades, ECs etc after the application submission because it is not fair to others. The only thing after the fact they will accept are family, or emergency situations.
Yikes I just read that article. I don’t know if I’d want to see what admissions wrote about me if I didn’t get in. Seems like it would be depressing. And all that ultimately will come of it are hidden communiques, right?
@tehkman that sounds like a good idea, definitely better than flexing new ECs since as lindyk8 said it would be a little unfair of them to take into account extra ECs after your time of submission since plenty of other students are probably in the same boat.
Then new advice I have to offer is I guess to just be humble, definitely avoid making it a pity party/sob story, and focus more on the positive aspect out of whatever hardship you faced (kind of similar tips to the PS–avoid making it about the negative. though you can talk about it, just don’t make it all about that) so like your sister said, how you dealt with financial struggle and working while being a full time student. Good luck on your appeal!