Appeal Letter Success Stories & Letter Review

Applying to College
1

I got rejected from UC berkeley and I just wanted to know if anyone has success stories from an appeal. I just need some hope. Here’s my letter:

Dear UC Berkeley Admissions Committee,

Thank you for the time and care you put into reviewing my application. While I respect your decision, I’m writing to appeal for reconsideration based on new academic and personal updates, as well as family circumstances I didn’t fully explain before. These experiences have made Berkeley not just my top choice—but the only possible choice for me right now.

Since submitting my application, I’ve grown through extracurriculars that reflect my passion for STEM and align with the EECS program:

– I placed 2nd in the MESA Math Competition and advanced to regionals

– I received an award from Contra Costa County for volunteering as a student poll worker

– I launched a Depop shop, reselling thrifted clothes to help support my family

– I began building and repairing custom PCs for classmates

– I was awarded a scholarship for leadership and community impact

These experiences show that I’ve stayed active and focused, applying my skills in real ways while giving back to my community.

There’s something I left out of my application—something I didn’t think I needed to share. Throughout my childhood, my father was an alcoholic who was emotionally and physically abusive to my mom and me. He tried to control everything she did. When he was drunk, he would scream at her and shove her to the ground. My mom stayed because he was our only source of income. But when I was 14, I’d had enough. One night, I stood between them and told him to leave. He called me a sissy and walked out—and never came back.

From that day on, I became my mom’s emotional support. I promised her I’d go to college, build a career, and take care of us. That promise still drives me today.

Recently, I faced a new challenge: my mom was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in her breast. She will need surgery and time to recover, but she works two jobs and is scared of how we’ll pay the bills. I started working at MOD Pizza to help cover expenses for her recovery. I don’t have a car, and I can’t afford to move far for college. Berkeley is the only UC close enough—just 40 minutes by BART—where I can attend college while supporting my mom through recovery.

Despite everything, I’ve kept going. I’m currently taking four APs while working and supporting my mom. I’ve maintained a 4.16 GPA, class rank 5 and top 1% of my class. When I researched Berkeley, I saw clubs/programs I’d love to join—like Hermanos Unidos and the Latinx Student Association. I want to start a student-led fundraisers to support underrepresented students and raise awareness for survivors of domestic violence.

Since, I was honored to submit letters of recommendations for Berkeley’s Augmented Review process—which was only to 15% of applicants—it gave me hope that my story mattered. I still believe it does. If admitted, I would enroll in a heartbeat. Thank you.

Sincerely,
xx

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Why is Cal your only choice.

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I don’t know what your chances are, but I sure hope it works out for you. I’m a breast cancer survivor myself, so I’m also rooting for your mom and wishing her a successful treatment and recovery.

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Their concern isn’t that you have one choice.

My opinion - it’s too long.

I was ok with your awards but not your family situation.

I would leave out all of it. Be brief. Impactful.

But work on Plan B

UCB is highly highly unlikely. Your activities are unlikely why you were rejected.

But if you go ahead, focus on the new accomplishments and nothing else.

Everyone knows you can be happy at many schools so please don’t say they’re the only school. Everyone knows it’s not true.

Good luck.

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I actually thought the family context was impactful (those are some big challenges to overcome), but I don’t know much about what makes a good appeal letter. Perhaps @Gumbymom will have some insights.

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Thank you so much. It truly means a lot to me. :mending_heart:

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Then perhaps the current challenge.

I think appeal letters need to share new information - that is information that was not available before.

To me, that’s the new accomplishments. Perhaps it’s also the situation with mom - but it’s not the situation with Dad.

Again, they have so many applicants and accepted who they could. But many will appeal - and you want to be brief - and the letter (IMHO) was far too long.

I’d stick with only the accomplishments but if you wanted to include more, I’d only include the mom info.

I would not include info that you could have included at the time of app but chose not to - and if mom’s info was available then, I would not include it at all. That was a choice you made - but if that was her health situation prior and you were aware, you have to live with that choice - and frankly, it’s unlikely to impact an admission decision as opposed to the actual data shared.

The appeal process is not because you’re bummed you didn’t get in and want to go there - that’s many kids. It’s truly for new information that wasn’t available prior.

So IMHO, that will give you your best chance - following that pattern.

Best of luck.

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The UC’s are looking for new and compelling information not originally mentioned on your application and which shows that you are a more competitive applicant.

If your Mom’s recent diagnosis and the additional EC information is new then yes it would be worth appealing your decision. You could allude to difficulties with your father but I would not make it a sob story. You need to show them why you would be an asset to the campus and community.

I have no data for 2024 but for 2023 there were 1418 appeals filed and 30 approved. Best of luck.

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I’d encourage you to check out this blog post regarding the process.

Your goal is to focus on new information that would shed light on your transcript and circumstances. I would not focus on the past as that was information that should have been included in the original application, nor does it provide any new info that would allow them to review your admissibility.

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