Can you still opt in to the waitlist, but decide to send an appeal to the university? (Also, what are the benefits of appealing vs waitlist)
What are the disadvantages of being waitlisted. Is the waitlist based on who opts in first, or by secret stats or something.
When do they usually let me know if I am off the waitlist (since May 1st is deadline to enroll for most universities)
If given admission off the waitlist, how does denying admission to another university work and attending UCSC?
If I have any more questions, ill comment them down below. Sorry if these are worded bad, I’m just freaking out since this was my top choice for Computer Science
A: If you have new or compelling information, you may appeal the decision, whether or not you are on the waitlist. Appeal procedures can be found on UCSC’s Appeal Information page. Please note that if there is nothing new or compelling, an appeal may not be appropriate. If your senior year grades have gone down, or if you have already earned a grade of D or F in any ‘a-g’ course in your senior year, an appeal will not be granted.
According to the CDS, the waitlist is not ranked but they will review each application again to determine based on their criteria if a spot will be available.
Usually waitlisted applicants will hear after May 1 but if many applicants decline their admission, spots could open up sooner.
You will need to SIR to another university by May 1. If you get off the waitlist, you can then accept UCSC’s offer or decline the offer. If you accept UCSC, then you will lose your enrollment deposit at the other University.
My advice is to consider the waitlist a denial, get excited about another school that has accepted you and wants you to attend. If you happen to get off the waitlist, then it is just icing on the cake.
@Gumbymom Do you know if there are any consequences for appealing (for example, if appeal doesn’t work out)? Also, when do they usually inform people if my appeal is granted.
Also, what’s your opinion on this premise for appealing: Even though I am on the waitlist, I believe I can still highlight my passion (senior year projects, etc) and several senior year awards I got in relation to my major (Computer Science). I also want to highlight how ideal Santa Cruz’s location is (I can visit home, possibly may need to), and how I love the environment there vs other campuses.
All schools require a compelling reason to appeal. There is no harm in appealing but very few are actually granted. Wanting to be close to home is not a valid reason, unless you have a medical condition and require access to your doctor.
Senior projects and awards would be worth noting so if you feel strongly, then I would appeal. UCSC does not consider an applicant’s level of interest so that will not help either.
@Gumbymom Do you think sending in additional information such as good academic performance first semester of senior year, or explaining poor grades in a certain semester/year would help?
First of all, all schools expect you to maintain good grades Senior year and you will be sending a copy of your transcript to validate this.
As for explaining poor grades, unless there were some extenuating circumstances and had a significant impact on your grades, this should have been explained in one of your personal insight essays. Anything else would be viewed as trying to make excuses.
@UCReject45: See my PM and as a new poster the CC etiquette is that is considered rude to hijack another posters thread. If you have any questions, you can post on the UCSC discussion thread or start your own thread.
@screenname3: If I remember correctly, UCSC was overenrolled and had housing issues so they decreased the # of waitlist admits significantly. If you go back even further, for 2016 they had over 4000 waitlist admits but previous year was 0, they did not even use a waitlist.
