If you just got rejected by the UC schools and are looking to reverse your UC appeal rejection, this article is for you.
This article covers undisclosed information regarding the UC appeals process. In particular, they sometimes overturn initial appeal rejections. This means that some students can reverse their UC appeal decisions.
Frustratingly, UC admissions does not appear to be transparent about this. We’ve only learned of this due to our clients reaching out to us with acceptances despite getting rejected both in regular decisions and appeal.
Note: This information is based on our clients’ personal experiences. However, to maintain confidentiality, we’ve opted to keep our clients anonymous.
Are UC Appeal Decisions Final?
No. UC Appeal Decisions are NOT final.
UC campuses often state that their appeal decisions are final. After getting rejected, there is nothing you can do to get accepted. Schools like UC Santa Barbara have even stated in their website that UC appeal decisions are final.
“Historically, we have admitted very few students on appeal. For an appeal of your admission decision to have merit, it must bring to light new information that was not present in your application—information that clearly shows your application to be stronger overall than had been earlier evidenced. Appeals received that do not follow the process outlined below will not be considered, so please read the information carefully. All appeal decisions are final.”
UCSB Office of Admissions Official Website
However, this is not true.
We’ve had students who had their appeal letters rejected. Their decision should have been set in stone. However, weeks, later, their appeal rejection was turned to an acceptance.
To clarify: if you’re accepted off the UC appeal, the campus won’t rescind your admittance (unless you’ve done something very heinous). But, if your UC appeal is rejected, it’s not set in stone. The admissions office can still reverse your appeal rejection weeks later.
How UC Appeals ACTUALLY Work.
The reality is that UC application processes are not as rigid as people think. In fact, a lot of flexibility is afforded to admissions offices. This helps schools account for things like unusual circumstances, exceptions to rules, and unexpected externalities.
Often, schools must work very hard to craft an ideal incoming class. And, their yield rates may not always allow for that. Thus, admissions officers will pull from the waitlist and appeals pools to accept students they need.
So, if you’re rejected via appeal, you still have a chance at getting in.
The schools are not that cutthroat as to leave no space for exceptions every once in a while. But, don’t get your hopes too high. Schools still (for the most part) uphold their promise of keeping appeal decisions final.
What To Do if Your UC Appeal is Rejected.
If your initial UC appeal is rejected, you have a very, very small chance of the university reversing their rejection. However, this does NOT mean you should wait for admissions officers to reverse your UC appeal rejection. It’s almost always a concrete decision.
Instead, your UC appeal is rejected, your best course of action is accepting an offer of admissions from another institution ASAP. This ensures that you at least have a place you can dedicate to instead of getting into no school at all.
UC Berkeley puts it very well.
“Even if you choose to appeal, we recommend that you do not delay in accepting an admission offer from another college or university. We do not accept appeals mailed via postal mail, telephone, fax, or email. All appeal requests must be made using the form on MAP@Berkeley.”
UC Berkeley Admissions Official Website on Appeals
Our Client’s Experience Getting Accepted Despite An Initial UC Appeal Rejection.
We can’t disclose too much information due to confidentiality purposes. But, here’s a breakdown of what happened.
- Our client applied to a set of UC schools.
- They were accepted into a few, but they were rejected from their top choice.
- Our client sent an appeal in the hopes of getting accepted.
- We helped them with the UC appeal writing process.
- Their appeal was rejected.
- After a few days, the school rescinded their initial rejection and accepted them.
Here’s what we think happened.
The university made a mistake in accepting students off the appeal pool. They may not have accepted enough students to fit quota or demographic statistics (example: diversity, average GPA, etc.)
The school needed to accept more students from the appeal pool. So, they had to pick the best application. Our client was then accepted.
Final Thoughts.
Ultimately, here’s the gist. If a UC school accepts you off the appeal process, you’re in. It’s as easy as that. However, if you’re rejected via appeal, that decision is NOT final —even if the school says it is. It’s totally normal for schools to change their mind due to mistakes.
However, the chances of students getting accepted via appeal despite an initial rejection is very, very slim. So, don’t keep your hopes up and wait for admissions officers to reverse your UC appeal rejection.
Instead, just dedicate to whichever school is your next best choice. And, if the school rescinds their initial rejection, that’s a nice little treat for you to enjoy.
If you’re unsure what to do after you’ve been rejected by a UC school via appeal, don’t worry. We’ve helped countless students through the admissions process pivot from dire admissions results. We also helped many get accepted into some of the best institutions in the nation including Yale, Columbia, MIT, Duke, Cornell, and more! Schedule a free consultation with us, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours!
