Hey all, I’m having some trouble finding a topic to write about for the UCI waitlist appeal. I’m currently leaning towards talking about my mother’s cancer in sophomore year, which stressed me out and led to lowered grades during first semester. I had all B’s and 1 A during that semester. The majority of my transcript is straight A’s and a couple of B’s between the rest of sophomore, junior, and senior year. However, I don’t know if this would help because I still have a good GPA (I think). 4.38 and 3.81 for Academic (9-12), 4.32 and 3.84 for total GPA (this includes sports), 4.32 and 3.72 for Grades 10-12. My first selection was CS and second was Undeclared. Good extracurriculars and volunteer. The second option I’m thinking about is talking about my low SAT 2 Math score. I took it dry just before I did college admissions and decided to send in a pretty low score: 690. At the time, I was struggling in calculus and wasn’t able to study effectively for the SAT math. I’m really in a tight position because like many others, UCI is their dream school and I’m struggling to find anyway to get myself into the school. Thanks a lot!
You did not address your mother’s illness in any of the personal insight essays? 2nd option is not worth pursuing. Not preparing for the SAT2 is not a valid reason and even with a higher score, this would have not tipped the scales in your favor for admissions.
If you did not mention your mother’s illness, then I would pursue that avenue but you still need to show UCI that you belong there and why. Cite specific programs and why you as a student would be an asset to the school.
I didn’t write about cancer because I didn’t want one of my essays to sound like a “sob story.” Could I write that because UCI is close to home, I’m able to keep working at a nearby daycare run by Irvine and how I could take care of my younger brother bc my parents are aging or do UCs not care about this? Thanks.
The UC’s do not care that you are local, if you are needed to help out family then that is worth writing about.