College Admissions (Appeals)

[bhanson]

Just kidding,

So far my college list looks something like this:

1. USC: -
2. UC Berkeley: Rejected
3. UCLA: Rejected

In order of preference.

Has anyone here successfully appealed to any one of these schools? I feel I'm more than qualified for these institutions.

My USC decision should come in the next week.

 

[GoSharks]

Did you apply to the UC system as out of state? If that was so, you're likely out of luck. Admission standards are far higher for out of state applicants.

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS
Did you apply to the UC system as out of state? If that was so, you're likely out of luck. Admission standards are far higher for out of state applicants.

I did. I also understand the nature of them being state schools and thus, their priority is to accept state students first. However, this seems to sandbox the majority of students into their respective states if they are anything but ivy league quality.

We don't have the same opportunities as far as IB and AP classes go, the economy is inferior here and promotes mediocrity. From my class of 100, only 3 students (including myself) are looking to attend out of state, the rest are happy to "settle" instate.

For me, I am looking to get out of this situation and into a better state that fosters growth and achievement, California is my answer.

There has to be a way to do this.

 

[Corporate Thug]

SC is less competetive to get into than the other 2, good luck

i know a few people who have gotten in on appeal but odds are very very low

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug
SC is less competetive to get into than the other 2, good luck

i know a few people who have gotten in on appeal but odds are very very low

Do you still know these people? May I talk to them?

1:100000 is better than nothing.

 

[magomago]

USC is pretty easy to get into. Although people make it like it is insanely difficult...it is more about having to cash to pay for it. I know to people who got rejected from Berkely, SD, and LA and easily got into USC.
Iff you have to have a UC school because you feel it will really change your life, then take the initiative and go to Community College here if you can (if you are diligent you can cram the 2 years into 1 year + summer classes) and then apply. It is IMMENSEY easier to get into a UC if you went through a California Community college (and that year would make you a resident and thus get a good position). I think the average GPA for Community College applicants into UCB is something like a 3.5. For the record I had a 4.17 GPA from highschool and I got rejected from Berkeley (though I don't care anymore I'm quite happy where I am ) so it gives you an idea of how much easier it is to apply


As for a UC appeal....yeah it will be VERY tough~ I think Berkely has the lowest state student population at ~85%...UCI is something like 95%+
Like I said best best is 1-2 years of community college; that way you are guaranteed a school providing your grades don't suck.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: bhanson

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS
Did you apply to the UC system as out of state? If that was so, you're likely out of luck. Admission standards are far higher for out of state applicants.

I did. I also understand the nature of them being state schools and thus, their priority is to accept state students first. However, this seems to sandbox the majority of students into their respective states if they are anything but ivy league quality.

We don't have the same opportunities as far as IB and AP classes go, the economy is inferior here and promotes mediocrity. From my class of 100, only 3 students (including myself) are looking to attend out of state, the rest are happy to "settle" instate.

For me, I am looking to get out of this situation and into a better state that fosters growth and achievement, California is my answer.

There has to be a way to do this.

get lucky!

seriously, state schools have to answer their state applicants.

Most applicants think they are already over qualified though

The real trick is to move to the state you want to apply in ahead of their 'resident' timeline.

 

[sygyzy]

Originally posted by: magomago
USC is pretty easy to get into. Although people make it like it is insanely difficult...it is more about having to cash to pay for it. I know to people who got rejected from Berkely, SD, and LA and easily got into USC.
Iff you have to have a UC school because you feel it will really change your life, then take the initiative and go to Community College here if you can (if you are diligent you can cram the 2 years into 1 year + summer classes) and then apply. It is IMMENSEY easier to get into a UC if you went through a California Community college (and that year would make you a resident and thus get a good position). I think the average GPA for Community College applicants into UCB is something like a 3.5. For the record I had a 4.17 GPA from highschool and I got rejected from Berkeley (though I don't care anymore I'm quite happy where I am ) so it gives you an idea of how much easier it is to apply


As for a UC appeal....yeah it will be VERY tough~ I think Berkely has the lowest state student population at ~85%...UCI is something like 95%+
Like I said best best is 1-2 years of community college; that way you are guaranteed a school providing your grades don't suck.

I agree. If you think about it, it behooves USC to be easier on applicants because it's $35K a year of income. UC's are state school's and thus can choose to be more difficult. It's an unusual way to look at things because most people associate state schools with not being as good as private.

Also, I think it's funny you have the attitude that you do, then you get rejected from these schools. Maybe you can try being a little humility. It'd improve your character, and maybe this would show through your personal statement. I'd love to read the ones you sent out.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

i fit the requirements and was garunteed a slot(from the dean of admissions) to uc davis. i havent gotten a letter nor email nor anything yet so good luck. im also an out of state student and they like taking in state wayyy more than out of state

 

[zainali]

davis aint that bad except the fact that there is nothing to do here and the campus smells like cows(sometimes).

anyways, go to a JC. try transferring after 1 year. see what happens.

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: magomago
USC is pretty easy to get into. Although people make it like it is insanely difficult...it is more about having to cash to pay for it. I know to people who got rejected from Berkely, SD, and LA and easily got into USC.
Iff you have to have a UC school because you feel it will really change your life, then take the initiative and go to Community College here if you can (if you are diligent you can cram the 2 years into 1 year + summer classes) and then apply. It is IMMENSEY easier to get into a UC if you went through a California Community college (and that year would make you a resident and thus get a good position). I think the average GPA for Community College applicants into UCB is something like a 3.5. For the record I had a 4.17 GPA from highschool and I got rejected from Berkeley (though I don't care anymore I'm quite happy where I am ) so it gives you an idea of how much easier it is to apply


As for a UC appeal....yeah it will be VERY tough~ I think Berkely has the lowest state student population at ~85%...UCI is something like 95%+
Like I said best best is 1-2 years of community college; that way you are guaranteed a school providing your grades don't suck.

The money is the least of my worries, where there's a will there's a way. If anything, I can go play in the Army band and get 100% tuition assistance plus a $10,000 signing bonus. (and then take the rest out in loans)

If I don't get accepted into USC then I might have to go the California CC route, because I refuse to "settle."

My unweighed GPA is 3.92 (my school doesn't do the weighted thing). If nothing happens with USC is community college the best bet? Or should I apply to a smaller private college with rolling admissions?

My acceptance to USC worries me due to my low SAT scores (1750) and my lack of IB/AP classes (not offered). To put that into perspective, no one in my school scored over a 2000 on the SAT.

Is there anything I can do in these last few days to boost my chances at USC? I think they're still reviewing BA/CS applicants.

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
Also, I think it's funny you have the attitude that you do, then you get rejected from these schools. Maybe you can try being a little humility. It'd improve your character, and maybe this would show through your personal statement. I'd love to read the ones you sent out.

I didn't mean my statement in that way. By "more than qualified" I was simply implying that I am willing to take on the course-load required by these universities (or else why would I be applying?), nothing more, I guess I could have went without saying that.

If this was not what you were referring to then please let me know.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: bhanson

The money is the least of my worries, where there's a will there's a way. If anything, I can go play in the Army band and get 100% tuition assistance plus a $10,000 signing bonus. (and then take the rest out in loans)

If I don't get accepted into USC then I might have to go the California CC route, because I refuse to "settle."

My unweighed GPA is 3.92 (my school doesn't do the weighted thing). If nothing happens with USC is community college the best bet? Or should I apply to a smaller private college with rolling admissions?

My acceptance to USC worries me due to my low SAT scores (1750) and my lack of IB/AP classes (not offered). To put that into perspective, no one in my school scored over a 2000 on the SAT.

Is there anything I can do in these last few days to boost my chances at USC? I think they're still reviewing BA/CS applicants.

You are applying to popular schools, your skills based on your report here is more than enough to get you in a decent school....Why Cali?!??!

However, the GI Bill deal is not like signing up and entering college tomorrow to graduate in 4 years free.

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
You are applying to popular schools, your skills based on your report here is more than enough to get you in a decent school....Why Cali?!??!

However, the GI Bill deal is not like signing up and entering college tomorrow to graduate in 4 years free.

Can you list some examples of decent schools?

[edit] Please.

 

[magomago]

I would agree go community college route. I have no idea what a 1750 means since I think I was the last year, or second to last year to take regular SATs.
But if you are serious go the community college route, even if money is not an issue, it gives you another chance to get in and competititon becomes easier. Many CCs even have deals with UCs to have guaranteed acceptance if you get a specific GPA.

 

[lykaon78]

bhanson,

If you don't get in try to talk to an admissions counselor and see what it will take to increase you chances to get in after the first semester. Follow said advice.

Also see if they have a feeder school or community college that they regularly accept transfer students from.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: bhanson

Originally posted by: alkemyst
You are applying to popular schools, your skills based on your report here is more than enough to get you in a decent school....Why Cali?!??!

However, the GI Bill deal is not like signing up and entering college tomorrow to graduate in 4 years free.

Can you list some examples of decent schools?

[edit] Please.

For what major and where is your state of residence officially? These are pretty easily available through books and web searches though.

UCLA and UC Berkley are extremely popular schools worldwide.

 

[DougK62]

Local community college FTW

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: bhanson
However, this seems to sandbox the majority of students into their respective states if they are anything but ivy league quality.

There are hundreds of non-ivy league private schools all over the country...you don't have to be "ivy league quality" to get into them. Since they don't have to offer preference to local residents, you could potentially get into a school that is as good as the ones you have applied to.

Also...there are not decent state or private schools in Idaho?

For me, I am looking to get out of this situation and into a better state that fosters growth and achievement, California is my answer.

I'm not sure I get your fixation with California. It's not a magical wonderland where everyone is motivated and striving for excellence.

 

[chambersc]

Originally posted by: bhanson

Originally posted by: GOSHARKS
Did you apply to the UC system as out of state? If that was so, you're likely out of luck. Admission standards are far higher for out of state applicants.

I did. I also understand the nature of them being state schools and thus, their priority is to accept state students first. However, this seems to sandbox the majority of students into their respective states if they are anything but ivy league quality.

We don't have the same opportunities as far as IB and AP classes go, the economy is inferior here and promotes mediocrity. From my class of 100, only 3 students (including myself) are looking to attend out of state, the rest are happy to "settle" instate.

For me, I am looking to get out of this situation and into a better state that fosters growth and achievement, California is my answer.

There has to be a way to do this.

They "settle" because "tuition" is "roughly" 3 times more than "in state tuition." Not "everyone" was born with a "silver spoon" in their mouth -- skill and "ambition" doesn't pay the "bills."

EDIT: ROFL. Things I've noticed the past few weeks regarding acceptance into colleges. Kids unrealistically reach for the top 10% (maybe even as low as 5%) of schools then "refuse" to settle for anything else. Instead, they drop to CC. Way to go from #1 to #10! I hope you're a failure in life because you get so ambitious and so stubborn that when things don't go your way, you turn to drugs/alcohol. "I didn't land the CEO position so I'm gonna work in the mailroom earning minimum wage + cost of inflation!"

Also, I love the fact that you assume paying for college through the military is so easy. Nice one, mr. "sign up, active duty, college is paid for!" Good luck with that.

 

[Juno]

good luck on getting admitted in out-of-state schools. i didn't apply to in-state schools though.

 

[alkemyst]

There is a HUGE misconception that in-state schools are always inferior, and also that CC's are also largely inferior.

It really depends on who you are getting as a professor. I purposely went to my local CC due to the Comparative Anatomy class it offered + a very good Chemistry/Organic Chem sequence taught by people that really knew their stuff and had come from larger universities to focus on teaching a few courses and spending time on their own research.

Free rides aside, money is a factor I looked at. I was in the situation where my parents weren't going to pay my way the first time (they couldn't yet the financial aid ppl look at last year's history to determine that), and the second time I went back I was told I 'should have been able to save at least 30% of my salary'.

I don't know about you, but if I am at the point where 30% of my salary goes to savings, I don't think I'd be considering going back to college.

All that said, I think certain graduates of certain colleges do have a better time getting to the head of the pack for their first jobs. Being in that spot is only the beginning though, if you don't prove yourself your efforts were for naught and you are going to have a nice loan most of the time to repay.

First time I went to college I had savings and about 4.5 years put me only $7k in debt (University of Florida), my second time I went to FAU for two years in my late 20's and racked up $23k that time due to having a more 'expensive' life style. I would have hated to see what a $10k a semester or higher school would have done for me.

I had the option for University of Miami both times, and I had a good shot at MIT/GT the first time while going engineering early on. I didn't feel engineering was right for me, my grades in the core classes weren't hot, and I was bored during an internship...but my work on that internship was made live for the project and there didn't need to be any major revisions done to it. That impressed the guy I was interning with and he got word to a couple of the recruiters at those schools that came out to interview me and were also impressed with the knowledge I had despite what my grades showed. So having people to network through is a big plus into getting in a college.

Still I look at it in graduating with a degree is the first hurdle, once you have that, if you can sell yourself well and know your field you should have no problem getting a great job.

There is a lot more than the degree though in going to certain schools, esp if becoming part of certain historical groups on campus.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: bhanson
Just kidding,

So far my college list looks something like this:

1. USC: -
2. UC Berkeley: Rejected
3. UCLA: Rejected

In order of preference.

Has anyone here successfully appealed to any one of these schools? I feel I'm more than qualified for these institutions.

My USC decision should come in the next week.

Wow,
first of all you're not a Cali resident, so your're more or less guaranteed to be rejected.

Whats your GPA?

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: bhanson

Originally posted by: alkemyst
You are applying to popular schools, your skills based on your report here is more than enough to get you in a decent school....Why Cali?!??!

However, the GI Bill deal is not like signing up and entering college tomorrow to graduate in 4 years free.

Can you list some examples of decent schools?

[edit] Please.

For what major and where is your state of residence officially? These are pretty easily available through books and web searches though.

UCLA and UC Berkley are extremely popular schools worldwide.

Majors: Computer Science and Business Administration (Entrepreneur)
Residency: Idaho

 

[bhanson]

Originally posted by: Jzero
Also...there are not decent state or private schools in Idaho?

Nope.