I am writing an appeal letter for two universities I was denied. I just finished and it came out to 2 1/4 page long. Looking at other examples, they seem to be within 1 page. I feel that mine might be too long. However, anything I take out makes me feel that it’s incomplete. I am trying to explain and document everything
Also does it matter if I submit the same letter to both Universities while just changing the obvious names to whom I’m speaking to?
Appealing a denial is an exercise in futility. Unless there was some disastrous incident caused by an issue beyond your control, there is no chance of your letter succeeding. You have to accept it and move on. Plus, do you really want to attend a college that doesn’t want you?
If it means not having to wait a year just to transfer, then I see no harm in at least trying.
Agree with @Lindagaf It is time to look forward and embrace the schools that accept you.
Appeal = 1 page. That’s it.
Perhaps this is why you were denied in the first place. Now you are asking people if it’s ok to take a shortcut on a letter in which you need to express genuine interest.
You haven’t even explained why you feel you were wrongly denied.
Best to move on.
There’s no point. Denial is denial. Appeal letters don’t work and are likely circular filed.
The short answer is that an appeal is usually a waste of time and you should just move on.
The longer answer is that an appeal is only useful if it addresses a specific mistake made by the college as they reviewed your file. To me it seems extremely unlikely that two schools made the exact same mistake, that you’ve somehow divined that they have and what that mistake was, and that your 2 plus page letter accurately addresses the problem. Admittedly that sounds a little confusing, so just go with the short answer above. Good luck moving forward!
Yes, you should move on. They formed their class, their job is done. Your shot was when you originally applied.
But for the record, rarely wise to feel one must “explain and document everything.” That’s not getting it.
Here’s what is likely to happen: you send your letter; somebody opens it; assuming you have made a cogent argument for reconsideration in your first paragraph or so, that, or possibly another, somebody will look at your application to check to see if whatever you are saying makes sense. This may be the best you can hope for-- someone looks again at your application. Obviously if you don’t send your letter, no one will look again. So the letter may have a desirable consequence. Beyond this the chances are long odds but not zero. Admissions officers take their jobs seriously. They also work in a system not immune from various pressures. When a reconsideration request rolls in they don’t know who might contact them next. A trustee? A state legislator? Etc. They will want to be able to say that they had a look. Show a draft to your college advisor. If he/she thinks it lacks merit take that seriously. Another consideration, whatever you send likely becomes part of the file. If your letter isn’t serious and to the point, you don’t really want to create another negative if someday you apply to transfer. Move on is good advice. Nothing ventured nothing gained is also good advice.
I fear you are writing 2+pages of excuses, “everything needs to be documented” is a very naive approach. You have to get it to one. If you are going to do it, then less is more. Sometimes when someone breaks up with you the best thing to do is to walk away. But if fear you will have regrets send the single page.
Some schools have a specific appeals process detailed - is this school one of them? If so follow that process to.the.letter. My son’s situation fit the very narrow definition of what was allowed for appeal at his school and it worked to a point - he was changed to being waitlisted for his 1st choice major (had been accepted to 2nd choice). While the appeal was judged as legit it still didn’t really change his situation as his waitlist didn’t clear.
If this school doesn’t have a published appeals process or if they do and you don’t “qualify” under their terms, I think you’re SOL and moving on would be wise. IF you feel you must try anyhow, MAKE YOUR LETTER SHORT AND CONCISE. Think very carefully what details the school absolutely needs in order to view you differently. Telling them a lengthy story, while it might seem compelling, is not going to do it. Your best shot is to make your point in the 1st paragraph, after that you’ll lose the interest of the person reading it.
Your other thread indicates your GPA was just under the minimum when you applied, but your final grades will push it over. If you appeal, that’s what I would base it on. I don’t think an appeal will help unless SDSU and CSUSM admit based on stats, but if they do consider appeals you need to keep it short. Documenting why your GPA was low won’t do anything but call attention to the fact that your GPA was low. That won’t help you.
2 1/4 pages is way too long. Stick to 1 page. And make your main points concisely within the first paragraph.