Waitlisted or Rejected by the UCs? How to Appeal and Key Deadlines

发布时间：Date: 2020-06-04 返回新鲜资讯Back to News

Facing a UC waitlist or rejection, students are not without recourse. A waitlist indicates the school recognizes your merit but space is limited; policies vary by campus: UC Berkeley and UCLA allow updates, UC Davis requires a statement, while UCI, UCSB, etc. accept appeals. For those directly rejected, all UC campuses allow appeals, but the key is to provide new and compelling information not previously seen by admissions, not simply repeating your original application.

When appealing, strictly adhere to each school’s deadlines and submission procedures. For example, at UCI, all materials including the appeal letter, latest term transcript, and optional recommendation letter must be submitted in one complete package through the applicant portal; piecemeal submissions will not be considered. CheersYou（清柚教育） reminds students that the appeal review process is rigorous and time-consuming, with most outcomes released by July. We advise organizing key new information in advance to seize this final admissions opportunity.

Ding!

At 9 a.m., you were jolted awake by an email from the UC Admission Office. You excitedly opened it to find:

Instead of a celebratory offer, your dream school placed you on the waitlist. For some, this might feel even worse than a straight rejection.

Those who got offers are overjoyed, and those rejected can move on quickly. The hardest part is for students on the waitlist: it gives you a glimmer of hope while testing your patience in the waiting process.

What is a Waitlist?

A waitlist means that after reviewing your entire application, the school thinks you are strong but perhaps lacking in some area, so you are not their first choice.

Thus, the school typically admits their most preferred students first, and later fills remaining spots from the waitlist pool. Or, if admitted students fail to submit their deposits on time, more places open up for waitlisted students.

After Being Waitlisted by UCs

Some programs at UC Berkeley may offer spring admission.

UC Berkeley and UCLA provide opportunities to submit a writing statement and update courses.

UC Davis requires submission of a statement.

UCI, UCSB, UCSC, and UCM allow appeals after being waitlisted. Other schools do not permit appeals.

Waitlist Timeline

After Being Rejected

In addition to waitlisted students, if you unfortunately receive a rejection, all UC schools accept appeals.

Note that since the admission office has already carefully reviewed all materials, when submitting an appeal, you must provide new, compelling information that can be considered.

Post-Rejection Appeal Timeline

How to Appeal

How to appeal if rejected by UCI?

Importantly, due to the complex and labor-intensive appeal review process, students must submit all required documents in one complete package through the UCI Applicant Portal; piecemeal submissions will not be considered.

Required Materials

Letter of Appeal: Clearly state new and compelling information to request reconsideration.

Transcript from most recent term: Must include current course information and grades, as well as any additional grades during the appeal period.

Recommendation Letter: Not required unless the school requests it.

All paperwork must be submitted in one package. After submission, you will receive an email and can check your appeal status anytime. Most appeals are completed by July.