text: Can I have some help from parents familiar with the UC system? - Parents Forum - College Confidential Forums
  Can I have some help from parents familiar with the UC system?
  dbwes March 23, 2008, 9:19am #1
  <p>Hi all.
  A lovely girl who is a good friend of my daughter's has asked me to help her draft an appeals letter to UCLA.<br>
  She is OOS (obviously, I guess) and has stats that are a tad low for UCLA but not horribly out of range.
  I have stressed to her the outrageous number of kids who applied, told her this is not a judgment on her as a person, etc.
  She really wants to do this and SAYS she understands that the odds are overwhelming that the appeal won't work. She wants to do this last thing just to feel she pursued every option.
  So -- what I need are strategies for this type of letter and any "inside" info anyone might have about the appeals process at UCLA.
  Thanks so much in advance to all you good people!
  So heartbreaking for some kids this time of year . . .</p>
  historymom March 23, 2008, 10:52am #2
  <p>My understanding is that the appeal is most sucessful when the applicant is able to convey new information that would have impacted the decision had they known about it when the admissions decision was made. </p>
  <p>I admire her wanting to leave no stone unturned but seriously it is almost assuradly an academic exercise for her at this point. In state kids with stats well in range get turned down too. </p>
  <p>You may want to cousel her to let it go and move on to falling in love with one of the schools she was admitted to.</p>
  kenf1234 March 23, 2008, 11:50am #3
  <p>I think it is just silly to try to appeal as OOS. There's no way it will work. Anyway, my understanding is that you are supposed to emphasize new information - awards, accomplishments, etc. - that have happened since then.</p>
  <p>If the student really wants to go to UCLA, they can go to Santa Monica community college (or any other california community college, but Santa Monica sends most kids to UCLA) for two years, earn good grades, and then transfer.</p>
  ucsd_ucla_dad March 23, 2008, 3:57pm #4
  <p>For the appeal to have a chance there needs to be new or corrected information. It would likely need to be significant like major awards, community service, corrected grades/GPA, etc. </p>
  <p>She doesn't have much to lose by appealing as long as she doesn't have her hopes up. Did she apply to any other UCs?</p>
  dbwes March 23, 2008, 6:07pm #5
  <p>Sigh. This is what I was afraid of and what a cursory look at the UCLA website tells me as well. I do not think she has any new information to present. It won't kill me to help draft a letter, but maybe we need to look at that page together first.
  Thanks all.</p>
  TwoTimer March 23, 2008, 7:12pm #6
  <p>I wouldn't discourage her too much from writing the letter. It sounds like she is already aware that it is a very, very long shot, but it may make her feel better to do something active rather than be passive. That may help her feel more in control, and also may help her be able to move on.</p>