Perhaps you find yourself in a position you hadn’t imagined: The college you had your heart set on has declined your application. Sure, you have other schools that you have or will apply to, but you really wanted to get into this particular college. Do you have any options when it comes to your college of first choice?
This is where appeal letters to colleges come into play. And these appeal letters don’t have to be solely about admissions policy or decisions. Appeal letters to colleges are typically sent by a student who has been denied admission, but they can also be written and sent because a student was placed on academic probation, had a scholarship revoked, or faced disciplinary action. The purpose of the appeal letter is to provide additional information, explain extenuating circumstances, or present a compelling argument to convince the college authorities to change their decision.
For this BrokeScholar article, we’re going to break down the various types of appeal letters to colleges that you, as a college student, may encounter and need to send yourself. Read on to find out the key details of these appeal letters.
Table of Contents
Admissions Appeal Letter
This appeal letter is written by a student who has been denied admission to a college or university. The student may present new information, emphasize their qualifications, or explain any extenuating circumstances that may have affected their previous application. If you find yourself in such a situation, in which you were denied admission, then knowing the appeal process is critical to your chances of changing their mind.
How to Write an Admissions Appeal Letter to a College
In general, the process of writing and sending appeal letters to colleges when it concerns an admissions decision begins with reviewing the school’s appeal process. Thus, before you begin writing your appeal letter, carefully review the college's website or any correspondence you received regarding the appeal process. Take note of any specific instructions, deadlines, or required documentation.
In reviewing the college’s appeal process, you may actually come upon the reason for denial, which could be something technical and possibly remedied. Either way, you really need to reflect on the reasons provided for your admission denial. This will help you address the specific concerns or weaknesses in your appeal letter.
Once you’re done these preliminary steps, it’s time to start writing your appeal letter for admission to a college:
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Open with a polite and professional salutation: Begin your letter with a formal salutation such as "Dear Admissions Committee" or "To Whom It May Concern." Address the letter to the appropriate department or individual if possible.
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Introduce yourself and state the purpose of the letter: In the opening paragraph, briefly introduce yourself by stating your name and the program or major you applied for. Clearly state that you are writing an appeal letter to request reconsideration of your application.
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Provide a concise and factual explanation: In the body of the letter, explain the circumstances or information that you believe warrant a reconsideration of your application. Be concise and focus on providing factual information rather than emotional pleas. Address any specific concerns raised by the college regarding your application.
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Present new or additional information: If you have any new or updated information that was not included in your initial application, present it in a clear and organized manner. This could include recent academic achievements, extracurricular activities, relevant work experience, or any other factors that strengthen your case for admission.
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Address any weaknesses or concerns: If your denial was based on specific weaknesses in your application, such as low SAT scores or grades, briefly acknowledge those weaknesses and provide a thoughtful explanation. This could involve explaining extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance or outlining steps you have taken to improve since submitting your application.
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Stay focused and concise: Keep your letter focused and to the point. Be mindful of the reader's time and avoid unnecessary details or repetition.
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Express your continued interest and commitment: Towards the end of the letter, reiterate your genuine interest in attending the college. Highlight why you believe the institution is a good fit for your academic and personal goals. Emphasize your commitment to succeed and contribute to the college community if given the opportunity.
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Request a reconsideration and express gratitude: Conclude the letter by politely requesting that the admissions committee reconsider your application. Express gratitude for their time and consideration of your appeal.
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Proofread and revise: Before finalizing your appeal letter, carefully proofread it for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Make sure the letter is well-organized and error-free. Consider seeking feedback from a teacher, counselor, or trusted advisor.
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Submit the letter according to the college's instructions: Follow the college's guidelines for submitting the appeal letter. This may involve sending it via email, mailing it to a specific address, or uploading it through an online portal. Ensure that you meet any stated deadlines.
Remember, the purpose of an appeal letter is to present a compelling case for reconsideration. Be honest, respectful, and provide relevant information that supports your request for admission.
How Long Does It Take to Hear After Sending Appeal Letters to Colleges?
The time it takes to hear back after sending an admissions appeal letter can vary depending on the college or university and their specific procedures. In general, you should expect to wait several weeks to a few months for a response.
Some colleges may have a specific timeline outlined for their appeal process, indicating when you can expect to receive a decision. This information is often provided on the college's website or in the appeal guidelines they provide.
It's critical to note that the timeline can be influenced by various factors, such as the volume of appeals received, the complexity of the cases being reviewed, and the specific policies and procedures of the college. Additionally, the time taken for a decision may be longer during busy periods, such as right before enrollment deadlines or during peak admission seasons.
To gain a better understanding of the expected timeframe, we recommend checking the college's website or contacting their admissions or appeals office directly. They can provide more specific information on the typical turnaround time for appeals at their institution.
Scholarship Appeal Letter
If a student's scholarship has been revoked or reduced, they can write an appeal letter to the college explaining their situation, academic achievements, financial need, or any other relevant information to request reconsideration of the scholarship decision. If you find yourself in this situation, the steps to address it are similar to writing and sending appeal letters to colleges about admissions.
Your first move is to review the scholarship appeal process, just as you would the admissions appeal process. Carefully review the scholarship provider's guidelines or any correspondence you received regarding the appeal process. Take note of any specific instructions, deadlines, or required documentation. Once again, identify and reflect on the reasons given for the revocation or reduction of your scholarship, because this step will help you in the actual writing of the appeal letter.
How to Write a Scholarship Appeal Letter
The process for writing a scholarship appeal letter is very similar to writing one for admissions. You should open with a cordial and professional salutation. This is followed by introducing yourself and stating the purpose of the letter. This should include the scholarship you were awarded and the institution you plan to attend. Make sure you clearly convey that you are writing an appeal letter to request reconsideration of the scholarship decision. Here’s the rest of the steps for writing scholarship appeal letters to colleges:
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Provide a concise and factual explanation: In the body of the letter, explain the circumstances or information that you believe deserves a reconsideration of the scholarship decision. Again, be concise and focus on providing factual information as opposed to emotional appeals. Address any specific concerns raised by the scholarship provider regarding your eligibility or performance.
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Present new or additional information: If you have any new or updated information that wasn’t available or included in your original scholarship application, make this known in a clear, concise, and organized manner. This could include recent academic achievements, community involvement, leadership roles, or any other factors that strengthen your case for maintaining or increasing the scholarship.
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Address any weaknesses or concerns: If the scholarship decision was based on specific weaknesses in your application or performance, briefly acknowledge those weaknesses and provide a thoughtful explanation. This could involve explaining extenuating circumstances that affected your performance or outlining steps you have taken to improve since receiving the scholarship.
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Demonstrate your commitment and future plans: Demonstrate your continued dedication and commitment to your education by discussing your academic and career goals. Explain how the scholarship is crucial to your ability to pursue those goals and how you plan to make the most of the opportunity.
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Express gratitude and appreciation: Throughout the letter, express gratitude for the scholarship opportunity and the support you have received thus far. Acknowledge the impact the scholarship has had on your life and express appreciation for the scholarship committee's consideration of your appeal.
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Request a reconsideration and provide contact information: Conclude the letter by politely requesting that the scholarship committee reconsider their decision. Provide your contact information and indicate your willingness to provide any additional documentation or information that may be required.
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Proofread and revise: Before finalizing your appeal letter, carefully proofread it for grammar, spelling, and clarity. Make sure the letter is well-organized and error-free. Getting feedback from a teacher, counselor, or other individual you respect is a great move here.
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Submit the letter according to the scholarship provider's instructions: Follow the scholarship provider's guidelines for submitting the appeal letter. This may involve sending it via email, mailing it to a specific address, or uploading it through an online portal. Ensure that you meet any stated deadlines.
The purpose of a scholarship appeal letter is to present a strong case for reconsideration. Thus, be honest, respectful, and provide relevant information that supports your request to maintain or increase the scholarship.
Academic Appeal Letter
Appeal letters to colleges can also take the form of academic appeal letters in response to something like being put on academic probation or even suspension. Maybe you deserved this or maybe you didn’t. Either way, knowing how to go about the process of sending an academic appeal letter is crucial.
How to Write an Academic Appeal Letter
Each institution has its own rules and regulations regarding the appeal process. Familiarize yourself with these before you begin your letter. Your academic institution should have an appeals process or policy outlined on their website or in their handbook. The policy should include grounds for appeal, deadlines for submitting an appeal, and the process for submitting an appeal. Once you’ve reviewed your particular college’s academic appeals process, it’s time to start writing your appeal letter:
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Plan your letter: Before you start writing, plan out what you want to say. An appeal letter should contain three main parts: an introduction, body, and conclusion. The introduction should state your intent, the body should lay out the facts and reasons for your appeal, and the conclusion should reiterate your desire for the decision to be reconsidered.
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Start with the introduction: Begin with the formalities, such as your name, student ID number, and any other identifying information required by your institution. Then state the purpose of the letter. Make sure you are specific about what decision you are appealing. For example: "My name is [Name], and I am a [major or field of study] at [institution]. My student ID is [ID]. I am writing to formally appeal my academic probation/suspension that was communicated to me on [date]."
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Present your case: Begin by acknowledging why the decision was made. It shows that you understand the seriousness of the situation. Next, explain your circumstances. Be honest and detailed but avoid being overly emotional. If there were specific conditions affecting your academic performance, now is the time to share them. This could include illness, family issues, financial troubles, or other personal circumstances. It is also critical in this section to demonstrate that you are taking steps to change the situation. Show that you are ready to improve and state any concrete plans you have to ensure your future academic success.
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Conclude and edit: Reiterate your request to have the decision reconsidered, your commitment to your studies, and your plan for improvement. Thank the reader for their time and consideration. Make sure to proofread your letter carefully. This is a formal communication and errors can undermine your credibility.
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Submit the letter according to the college's instructions: Follow the instructions from your institution on how to submit your letter. This could be through email, an online form, or by post.
Bear in mind that every situation is unique, and this is just a general guide. Be sure to tailor your letter to fit your personal situation and the requirements of your institution. If your school has an academic advisor or counseling center, they can be excellent resources to assist you with this process.
How Successful Are College Appeals?
The success rate of college appeals is notably low, with only a slender margin of 1% to 2% of appeals being granted. While these statistics may appear discouraging at first glance, they represent the reality that challenging an admissions decision through an appeal is indeed a formidable undertaking. Many students might find these odds daunting and might even hesitate to pursue an appeal. However, for others, this seemingly small window of opportunity could serve as an inspiring opening, motivating them to take a chance and go for it.
For those who decide to embark on the appeal process, luck plays a significant role in determining their outcome. Successfully overturning an admissions decision is undoubtedly challenging, but it's not impossible. Those who fall within the fortunate 1% to 2% that manage to change their fate through appeals often demonstrate extraordinary circumstances or provide compelling new information that persuades the college to reconsider. While the odds may be stacked against them, these students showcase the importance of resilience and determination in the face of adversity, demonstrating that sometimes, the pursuit of a dream is worth every effort, no matter how slim the chances may seem.
What Is the Best Reason to Appeal College Rejection?
The decision to appeal a college rejection is not one to be taken lightly, as college admissions decisions are typically considered final. However, there are two primary scenarios where pursuing an appeal can be justified.
Firstly, if you have acquired significant new information or accomplishments since submitting your original application that can substantially strengthen your candidacy, it may be a valid reason to consider an appeal. This could include noteworthy achievements, awards, or accomplishments that were not included in your initial application but can showcase your qualifications and potential as a student.
Secondly, appealing a college rejection might be warranted if there is evidence of a procedural error that adversely affected your application. Examples of such errors include misreporting of standardized test scores, a significant mistake on your high school transcript, or other administrative errors that could have led to an inaccurate evaluation of your qualifications. In such cases, an appeal is a means to rectify the mistake and ensure that your application is assessed based on accurate and complete information.
While the threshold for appealing a college rejection is high, these two scenarios offer valid reasons to explore this option for those who believe their initial application did not accurately reflect their true potential.
The Bottom Line on Appeal Letters to Colleges
These appeal letters to colleges are some of the most common, but they’re not the only ones. For example, if your housing application is turned down or requires special accommodation, then you can write an appeal letter to the college housing department. There are also financial aid appeal letters, typically written by a student who has received an unsatisfactory financial aid package or whose financial circumstances have changed significantly since submitting the initial application. The letter may include updated financial information, details about unforeseen expenses, or any other relevant factors to request a review of the financial aid offer.
When writing any of these appeal letters to colleges, it's essential to be concise, respectful, and provide any necessary supporting documentation. It is also recommended to follow any specific guidelines or instructions provided by the college regarding the appeals process.
