[BoAFriend]

Hey guys

I've decided it's worth a shot to at least try an appeal for UCI, even if decision turnover rate is supposedly low. Because at least then I'll be able to say that at least I tried.

I'm having a dilemmna right now, though. On the UCI website, it states the following:

Freshmen Selection Appeals: Submit the following items in ONE package postmarked by April 15, 2008 and include student name and Application ID number on each sheet of materials submitted:

-Appeal Cover Sheet (download and print: MS Word or PDF)
-Letter of appeal clearly stating new or compelling reason for appeal consideration, written and signed by the applicant
-High school transcript from most recent term; please note the transcript must have course information and grades from fall semester of your senior year and any additional semesters available at the time of appeal; an official transcript in the school's sealed envelope is preferred
-Other additional documentation
-Letters of recommendation are NOT REQUIRED unless requested by our staff to support appeal information

Note the reason I boldened, which also just happens to be the main beef of this entire appeal. Problem is, straight up - I don't HAVE a compelling reason. I just wanted UCI so bad because it was higher than UCR and the location/community/campus was very ideal for me, but the problem is, these reasons are not compelling at all, and anyone could say the same thing as me.

Anyone else goin for an UCI appeal or does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Thank you so much.

[f0reveralways]

hmm. i've never appealed but i guess you could just try writing the actual reason why you want to go there so badly--how you admire its location/community/campus.

it's worth a shot.

hopefully, your grades right now are nice so you can say something about your dedication to your academics and how you would be honored to pursue a higher education at the University of California, Irvine, or something.

i don't know.

maybe you can turn in letters of recommendation anyway to add extra oomph to your appeal.

perhaps, print your appeal letter/cover sheet on some nice artsy paper you got from Michael's or something. i did that for a scholarship application, & when i got called back for an interview, the people said something about how they liked that i did that & how it really made it stand out from the other applicants.

[BoAFriend]

Alright....thanks. The thing is for UCI, they specifically say how letters of recommendation aren't required, but I feel like if I could at least get 2 letters or so, perhaps it could be to my benefit.

Or not. Because they say if they need letters, they'll contact you. So...;;

[youre sexy <3]

look at the other thread about appealing

[bBy_sT4r]

yeah, i didn't send in any letters of rec because they said not to send any unless they asked for it :/

[x teehee]

For those of you appealing, the ones I'm appealing say that they would like a transcript, preferably an official transcript. Does that mean for sure that I can send in a non official one? I just realized I don't have time to get an official one, but I can obtain a non official one...I'm kind of nervous about this

[bBy_sT4r]

um i have no idea. i sent in official transcripts~

[~SWEETwhispers~]

Teacher recommendations?

[shabushabu]

What are you majoring in? Research your major at UCI and see if they have any clubs, intern/research opportunities, etc that can help you (ex for my appeal I'm writing about one of UCI's language clubs and the student organized programs and job opportunities it offers).

I see you post often in the UCR thread, and this might be risky, but you could write about the campus crime and how it effects you academically @_@. The adcoms might take this the wrong way, though.

[michellek]

it's helpful to list any new extracurriculars you may have been doing since you applied, any increased gpa/grades are good too. also just simply state why you think uci is the best campus for you. good luck!

[jean3x1]

hey guys i know how you guys feel.I got into UCR and cal states that i didnt want to go to. I actually appealed last year for uci. and guess what! i go to uci right now. a whole bunch of my classmates from my hs got in through appeal so i say it's worth a shot and trying! there's nothing to loose.

what you need to do is write the appeal letter according to the guidelines that are given but be sure to add additional information in the letter that you did not included into your original application. I wrote about health problems that I went through and how that affected me during my senior year after i applied. be sure to think of something that you think would change the thoughts of the admissions officers to make them want to take you. you can talk about the increase of activities that you participated in and how that has made you a different person than before when you wrote your application essay. make sure that the events are legitimate and worth talking about and not just some excuse like "you have the major i want and i really want to attend your school" or "i went to uci and i love the environment". try to make yourself stand out from everyone else!

I wouldn't recommend making your letter cover fancy or anything because i doubt that will make a difference. if anything, admissions might think that it's unprofessional. so just make it plain and simple. i don't think you need to send in letters of rec. i don't remember doing so. also, i think you can send an unofficial transcript. i think i did that.

I hope this helps.

[aprilnightblues]

Hey guys, does anyone know people who got in through appeal at UCLA? It's always been a top choice for me and I don't want to have any regrets later on. And I actually thought I had a legit chance there. But people who've appealed, what worked? Like I understand that there isn't a magical formula, especially at such a school, but it'd be really helpful to hear your stories. Thanks so much!