When to appeal a college admission decision?

While many students celebrate the release of college decisions in April, students who were not admitted into their school of choice may have a different feeling. For some students (and parents), the disappointment that comes with a denial may lead to the desire to take action and appeal the decision.

If you feel this way, you should ask yourself if it is actually worth your time to appeal a decision:

First, make sure to check on the college’s website to see if the college even accepts appeal requests – some do, some don’t.

Second, understand that very few appeal requests are granted. Lastly, consider whether it is worth your time to appeal and if you have a good reason to justify the appeal.

What is your reason?

• Are you upset with the decision and think it is unfair?
• Did one of your friends or classmates get in, and you don’t understand how they got in instead of you?
• Did you get into another great school and feel that the school that rejected you was incorrect in their decision?
• Were your parents alumni or donors, and do you feel the school must not have considered that?

These reasons alone are not reasons to appeal an admissions decision. If you try, the appeal will likely get turned down.

However, if you still feel that an appeal is warranted, make sure you meet the following criteria.

1. You have new information to share with the college. They have already reviewed your application and considered all the information you shared with them (including your grades, essays, letters of recommendation, interviews, etc.). Unless you present something new, you should probably not plan to appeal a decision.
2. Has something drastically changed with your application since it was sent in? If you discovered something substantial was missing from your original application, or there was an error in the reporting of grades or test scores, chances are you may have grounds for appeal, but again, there are no guarantees.
3. Admissions decisions are emotional, particularly the denial decision. It is okay to be disappointed and frustrated and want to know why you weren’t offered admission. However, make sure to be realistic and understand that the decision will likely stand as the chances remain slim of it being changed with an appeal.

4. Be sure to look at other schools and commit to a college before the enrollment deadline, as appeal responses will typically not come until after the date to commit to a college.

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