Help possible appeal

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi guys, this is my story. Well 5 years ago I was placed in special education because of family problems however I voluntarily repeated a grade so I could get out of special education. I was lucky enough to get out and now I am placed in Honors and accelerated curriculum. My school is extremely competitive, probably a magnet school equivalent. That was just some background on my case. Now I want to go to the University Of Michigan and I spoke with a college counselor and she is pleased with my “outstanding, unheard of progress” but said that my chances for Michigan are low. However, I devised a plan to increase my chances and if anyone disagrees or agrees please let me know.</p>

<p>1) Retake ACT in April 12, 2008 so I can increase my chances. I already went from a 17 to a 25 (three weeks) I am aiming for a 34 (the minimum I think required for Michigan.)</p>

<p>2) I am taking 5 courses at my school but missed the AP placement exams because I was in Peru, So I decided to take 5 AP classes at Keystone national High school. Now I know University of Michigan is on their college acceptance list, but is this school genuine. I am taking the course it is very hard, but will colleges see this as “genuine.”</p>

<p>3) I am volunteering in Harlem to teach children and tutor them.</p>

<p>4) My principal said he would write me a recommendation for my progress, and I plan to ask 5 teachers for a recommendation at Key Stone National High School. I also plan to ask 4 more teachers at my current high school in Westchester. Total of 11 recommendations for my appeal.</p>

<p>I am very doubtful because everyone is telling me that this is not enough for an appeal. But then again everyone was telling me that I would not be able to get out of special education and I did. God bless you all, all I want to do is work really hard and prove to myself I can meet my goals. Take care!</p>

<p><strong><em>NOTE</em></strong>* I am a senior at my school and this is a plan for an appeal. Is this substantial new information?</p>

2

<p>The middle 50% of first year students according to the college board is 27-31, so there isn’t a minimum of 34, unless it’s some OOS thing. I think that 11 recommendations might be a bit much, but I don’t know anything about appeals, so don’t take my word for it. Good luck though!</p>

3

<p>thank you for your posting. Anyone else have any criticism or their point of view.</p>

4

<p>I am a little confused – were you already denied admission to Michigan?</p>

5

<p>no i am anticipating an appeal. This is like my back up plan which I am currently doing I just want to know how would this work for UM</p>

6

<p>Sending in 11 letters of rec would be a big mistake IMO. They don’t have the time or inclination to read that much information. If I were an admission officer considering an appeal, I’d be looking for concrete improvement over the original application, not just more words.</p>