What Is The Successful Way To Appeal College Admission Decisions?
July 1, 2009 by Rob
Filed under College Admissions
Need first hand advice on how to appeal college admission decisions. Does the student do it or do the parents do it? We are on the west coast and by the time our child is out of school the east coast offices are closed. Also if you are a Hispanic what organizations can help? Is it done via email,
Not everyone gets in.
School Admission Appeals:http://www.schooladmissionappeals.com/?c…
Can’t you just try another school? There should have been several applications made, not just one.
That’s the breaks!
You could simply contact the local education authority or school governing body to talk informally about reversing the decision. This might mean that you avoid the formal appeals process. Most education authorities and schools will have time set aside for dialogue with dissatisfied parents. In rare cases(which i believe is your case) where the admissions authority has refused a place in error, it may be able to reverse the decision without the need for the parents to go to formal appeal. However, in the majority of cases, the appeals procedure will need to be followed through.
Colleges may advise you to do the following:
Write a letter and provide any new information
Correct any errors on your original application including grades and
test scores.
Did you win an award since you submitted your application?
Did you omit important information from your application?
Send another letter of recommendation from someone who could
mention your strengths.
You could address personal circumstances and its impact on your
academic record.
Send your transcript
Ask your high school counselor to write a letter.
Send the letter of appeal and other supporting documents in one
envelope. Many colleges will not accept faxed or e-mailed appeals.
Check with the college first.
Normally colleges will not reconsider your application unless you
provide new information.
It’s important to correspond with the college soon after you receive
a rejection letter. It shows your interest and the college may have
only a few spots available for appeals.
If you are persistent, it might work.
Consider other options:
Colleges might offer you a spring semester option. This is not a
bad choice if it enables you to attend the college later. You could
work, travel or do some community service. You might enjoy the
break from studying. Some colleges do not want you to attend a
community college during that time. It’s important to check with the
college and follow their guidelines.
Usually an informal phone call to the admissions office is the first step. If your child is under 18, usually you can make the call, if over 18, privacy rules may prohibit the university from discussion their decision with you – they may only discuss it with your child, or with your child’s permission.
Follow the advice already given, but also consider asking that your child’s application be reconsidered for the summer semester or the spring semester. The application process is far less competitive during these semesters, and often students who would never have a chance at acceptance can find themselves admitted then. (It’s what I did myself many years ago – requested reconsideration for summer semester and was accepted)