Hi!
I am currently a Senior in high school who applied to the University of Washington to be a 2018 Freshman, but unfortunately I got wait-listed. Many people were surprised as the 3 others from my school who were less “smart” as me got in.
Along with this fact, and my longing to go to UW I decided to appeal my decision and I sent in my appeal letter today and I would like to know your opinion if you think they will accept my appeal or not and how do they let you know?
My updated transcript you have to submit shows my first semester of senior year as follows;
Medical Interventions: A
Pottery: A-
AP U.S. Government and Politics: A
AP Calculus AB: B-
AP Chemistry: A
AP Literature and Composition: A-
Overall; 3.7 Cumulative, 7 AP Classes (3 being science or math based), AP Scholar, A in every science class all 4 years, 1240 SAT
My Letter of Appeal is as follows;
To whom it may concern,
My name is [...] and I am currently a senior at [...] located in [...], Washington. Although I know the admissions staff at the University of Washington do an exceptional job in the admittance process, and I am much obliged to have the opportunity to be placed on the freshman waitlist, I do believe my admissions decision should be recontextualized.
I believe I am an excellent candidate for the University of Washington’s outstanding medical program due to my academic accomplishments and the circumstances in under which I obtained them. All of my high school career, I have continually exhibited my ability to shoot for the moon and challenge myself in a wide range of rigorous Advanced Placement courses and schedule combinations, even in my senior year taking AP U.S. Government, AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Literature and Composition, and Medical Interventions while managing a part time job. In total, I have taken seven AP courses (four being science or math based), held a 3.7 cumulative GPA, received nothing less than an A in every science class I have been in, earned the AP scholar award, and made distinguished honor roll eight times. I have also been an active member in helping underprivileged groups in my community through the Salvation Army and My Sister’s Pantry as well as an environmental activist with the Pierce County Beekeepers Association and the Nisqually Land Trust.
On paper, my accomplishments are noteworthy and expected of a student aspiring to be a Neurologist, but as the child of two separated parents, one afflicted by severe alcoholism, and the other a struggling single mom, and neither attending college, the opportunity to receive one of the best educations in the world means so much more to me than numbers on a page. From an early age, the odds have been against me and at one point I even let them overcome me. My entire middle school career growing up on the Eastside of Tacoma, I vividly recall failing almost every single class, rarely showing up to school, and certainly never doing a drop of homework all while being completely petrified I would come home to another eviction notice on my door, making us homeless once again. My mature mind came to fruition as I witnessed my parents struggle so desperately with their own demons, and I began to realize an education would be my way out of this vicious cycle of poverty and substance abuse. I knew in my heart I had to make my life amount to something and that it would not be easy as a first generation female college student to go this path alone, but I set my bar high as an incoming freshman and made the University of Washington my dream school, the apex of my accomplishments, and conclusive proof that I could in fact play in the game of life with the substandard cards I was dealt. At the end of 9th grade, I ended with a cumulative 3.7 GPA after a lot of hard work and catching up as there were many gaps in my learning. I still often struggle, especially in classes like UW Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, AP Language and Composition, and AP Literature, as I began on a shaky foundation, unlike many of the life-long honors kids who are my classmates in these courses. Sophomore year I actually visited my dream school, your school, and I undeniably fell deeply in love with even the faintest, fleeting idea of working hard enough to one day have the privilege to attend the University of Washington.
Despite often feeling chained to my circumstances, I have done my best to overcome the adversity and demons that plagued my world without my consent. The rejection by the University of Washington truly shattered my heart and made me feel unfathomably defeated like many of the other circumstances in my life and although I wanted to pity myself and even give up, I knew I had to continue to fight for my dream and that I would forever regret giving up on my most driving goal by not writing this letter.
Being admitted to University of Washington would undoubtedly be an exultant accomplishment, an astounding beginning to my dream career, and a fairy tale ending for a first generation college student trying to prove herself in a world that is seemingly against her. Although I am certain I will succeed wherever I go, I know being surrounded by world-renowned research facilities, a beautifully diverse community, and students like myself, there would be no limit to what I could accomplish. God willing, I would spring for the opportunity to continue working hard despite any of the hardships and odds I have faced to not only obtain, but maintain, my educational career at the University of Washington with the utmost depth of pride and gratitude.
I hope the this insight into the circumstances that drive me, the tribulations I have faced, and my yearning to be a student at the University of Washington have emphasized what I was unable to in my original application. I deeply appreciate your time and consideration in this appeal and I graciously accept any decision as the University of Washington sees fit.
“The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. It’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” Barack Obama
Sincerely,
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