college admission appeal essay

How to Write an Appeal Letter for College Admission Rejections: 8 Ways to Make Your Case

The process of applying to colleges is one usually fraught with stress, anxiety, and emotions, especially if you receive a denial from your dream school. But what many applicants don’t know is that rejection may not necessarily be set in stone. You can actually write an appeal letter for college admission with the hope that the admissions office will change its decision about your application.

Successful appeals are extremely rare — Colleen Ganjian, the founder of DC College Counseling and a former college admissions officer, tells Teen Vogue that only an estimated 1 to 2% of appeals result in overturned decisions, and Eric Nichols, the VP of enrollment and dean of admission at Saint Anselm College tells us that his institution accepts only one or two appeals per year — but they can happen, and it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth it to try. For Kevin Adler, the founder of homeless outreach organization Miracle Messages , it was — and his appeal to the University of California, Berkeley, was successful. “I knew that some colleges allowed for appeals, but I also knew that getting in off an appeal was exceptionally rare,” he tells Teen Vogue. “But I had to give it my best shot so that I could rest easily knowing I had put my best foot forward to a dream school.”

If you feel that same drive and urge to appeal, here's exactly how to write an appeal letter for college admission.

1. Research the school's appeals process.

Every school handles admissions decisions and appeals differently. Some have formal appeal applications available on their websites, others vaguely reference the possibility of appealing, and others still offer up no information on the topic (meaning your options are to either just go for it or contact the school and hope someone will let you know one way or the other). And there are some schools that very clearly state that decisions are absolutely final and they won’t review any appeals.

Before you take the time and energy to go through the appeals process, see what information you can dig up on the school and its policies. If you find that your dream school won’t even glance at an appeal you send in, it’s simply not worth it to try — that energy will be better spent deciding on your best option of your other choices.

If you do move forward with the appeal, submit it not only to the admissions office or dean, but also to a few others, like the head of the department you hope to join as a student, or someone you met while researching and applying the first time around. “If [you] know the regional representative the school has, then [you] should email that person,” Parke Muth, the owner of admission consulting firm Parke Muth Consulting and former director of international admission at the University of Virginia, tells Teen Vogue. “Deans are often too busy to handle the cases, so it will be given to someone else to handle.”

2. Submit your appeal as soon as possible.

If you’re appealing an admissions decision, it likely means that not only is the school well into the process of solidifying its next freshman class, but you’re also inching toward enrollment deadlines for your other options, so there’s no time to waste. “Students should contact the admission office soon after receiving the decision,” Muth says. “They will receive information on whether an appeal is even possible, and also information on what might be grounds for an appeal.” The sooner you submit your appeal and hear back from the school, the sooner you can finalize your own plans (and avoid missing important deadlines for your backup options).

3. Fight your own battle.

There’s no shame in seeking help from your parents, teachers, or anyone else — but if you’re asking a college to change its mind about you, the request needs to come from you. “Remember, it is your work that is being reviewed in the admission process, not your parents’, so we’d rather hear directly from you,” Nichols says. “To put this in perspective, last year we had over 200 merit award appeals. There was only one that came directly from a student. The rest came from parents. I think it goes without saying that the one student who wrote [her] own appeal stood out to me.”

4. Present all the facts and be specific.

The most common reason for schools to grant appeals is a change in the facts, or inaccurate information on the original application, usually as it applies to GPAs, test scores, or new honors and awards. So when you’re putting together your appeal, make sure those facts are front and center. “The most important element of an appeal is the manner in which a student provides clear, concise evidence that there is a new piece of information which has material impact on the student’s application,” Ganjian says. She recommends providing documentation of any new facts, submitting everything in writing, and keeping records for yourself. Muth explains that it’s also worth it to let the school know if you won’t be applying for financial aid, or if you will absolutely enroll if offered admission, as these facts may also impact the decision.

5. Don’t be afraid to get personal.

Though Muth, Nichols, and Ganjian all stress that the majority of the rare appeal successes are because of information errors or new merit-related facts, it may be worth it to share compelling personal information that’s affecting your college plans. “A student may have had serious health or personal issues that they did not include with the application that could, in some cases, convince an admission committee to review the application,” Muth says. “If it’s health or personal issues [motivating your appeal], describe them clearly, and possibly include a doctor’s or secondary school counselor’s note supporting this information.” And don’t be afraid to be open and inject some of your personality into your letter. Kevin put it all on the table in his successful appeal to the University of California, Berkeley.

In his very honest letter, Kevin not only shared why Berkeley was so important to him and why he was a great candidate, but also wrote frankly about his mother’s recent breast cancer diagnosis and how attending Berkeley (which was near his hometown) would allow him to remain close to her and help with her care. “I tried to strike a delicate balance in writing about my mother’s illness,” Kevin wrote in an essay about his appeal. “I did not want to use the situation to curry any advantage, but I had to be honest about a painful issue that was affecting me and my decision-making — and would continue to impact my life over the coming years.” And ultimately, Kevin says, “I spoke from the heart and said what I had to say for my own sake, not theirs.”

6. Don’t be accusatory toward the admissions office.

“Students should not say that the admission office has made a mistake unless it is factual information,” Muth says. “In other words, a student who essentially says, ‘You did not do a good job’ will not convince an admission office to change a decision.”

Kevin addressed that notion head-on, starting his letter to Berkeley with the words, “You made a mistake,” and then going on to explain that, while he’s sure hundreds of people have accused the school of just that, it’s not how he sees it. “When students (or more often, parents) seem bitter or feel wronged by a decision, I understand the emotion, but I also encourage them to reevaluate how this sense of entitlement may come across to the admissions office (and everyone else, for that matter),” he tells us. “As I wrote in my letter, I think it’s short-sighted to assume a college ‘made a mistake,’ given the incredible caliber of other applicants.

7. Plan for all possible outcomes.

In the best-case scenario, the school you’re appealing to will overturn its decision and grant you admission. If that happens, will you definitely enroll? Just because you appealed, Muth notes, doesn’t mean you’re legally bound to attend (but if you stated that you would in your appeal, you certainly should). And though Muth believes you are “ethically committed to do so unless it is a matter of finances,” not everyone sees it that way.

“Students have a choice, and regardless of the response to an appeal, they shouldn’t be bound to the school who may act favorably on an appeal,” Nichols says. The most important thing, if you decide to turn the school down, is that you’re open with them from the start and provide an honest response at the end, including a letter thanking the dean, the admissions office, and the school and explaining your decision, Muth says.

In fact, after Kevin’s compelling letter and successful response from Berkeley, he ended up turning the school down. “I was exceptionally grateful to Berkeley for the acceptance from my appeal, but I was also very honest in the letter that I would be looking at other schools and was not sure if I did get in, whether it would still be the right college for me,” he says.

And it’s also important to plan for the opposite scenario: a rejection. There’s nothing wrong with being hopeful, but it’s also important to be realistic — knowing that appeals are rarely successful — and having a plan in place should the school decide to uphold its decision. While you wait for a response, continue to visit, research, and consider other schools, and decide which of the ones that accepted you will be your second choice.

If you are still hung up on that school after (or partway through) your freshman year somewhere else, you can always consider reapplying. “Admissions officers are generally very open about why a student may not have been admitted and what the student can do to increase their chances in a subsequent year,” Ganjian explains. Building on your current experience and getting a successful freshman year in the books could very well paint you in a more favorable light the next time around.

“We’ve had many cases over the years where a student [who] wasn’t offered admission outright ended up applying as a transfer a year or two later and was admitted,” Nichols says. “As I’ve told many students before, it’s not where you start, but ultimately where you get your degree that matters. If we can find a pathway for a student to still graduate from Saint Anselm College despite starting somewhere else, I think that is still a great outcome. “

8. Remember that there’s more than one right school for you.

Don’t let an unsuccessful appeal get you down, or make you question yourself. “Remember that a school’s decision to deny you is not necessarily a reflection on your abilities to be successful in college; it’s just where you fell in their particular applicant pool,” Nichols advises. “Your decision shouldn’t be [about] the sticker you’ll put on your car; it should be about the experiences you’ll have while you’re there. Pick a school that is the best fit for you, not just the most popular, and you’ll be surprised at the number of options that will be available to you.”

Wherever you enroll, approach it with an open mind and the dedication to succeed, and you likely will. Each spring, Kevin receives dozens of requests from high school students looking for help and advice on the appeal process, and he says that he tells them two things: “First, college is what you make of it. You can earn an incredible education at an unknown state school, not just a top college,” he says. “Second, if you have the go-gettedness to reach out to me for guidance, the gumption to put your best self out there and try again even if it doesn’t work out the first time, and the perspective to look beyond yourself to … ask for help, you will do just fine in college, and life.”

That certainly rang true for Kevin, who ultimately decided to attend Occidental College, and later the University of Cambridge. He says that he received a wonderful education, but the positive effects of his decision went far beyond grades and diplomas. “1.5 years ago, I officiated the wedding of two of my closest friends, who were getting married a few years after I introduced them,” he says. “One was one of my best friends from Cambridge, and the other one of my best friends from Occidental. [It’s] amazing to think that they would never have met had I not gone to the college I did.”

This story was originally published on April 1, 2016. It has been updated with new information.

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Articles & Advice > College Admission > Articles

How to Write a Strong, Persuasive College Decision Appeal Letter

So you got the thin envelope. Fortunately, your case isn't always closed upon that rejection letter. Here are a few ways you could change their minds.

by Phoebe Bain Freelance Writer

Last Updated: Aug 16, 2023

Originally Posted: Feb 28, 2018

So you got the thin envelope. I know...huge bummer. Fortunately, in some circumstances, your case isn’t always closed upon that first rejection letter. Some colleges give prospective students the opportunity to appeal their admission decision by writing an appeal letter—a formal request to the college asking them to reconsider your application. This might feel like the most important letter you’ll ever write in your life, but the art of writing a great college decision appeal has less to do with your skills as a writer and more to do with why you’re appealing it in the first place. Below are a few very valid reasons you might appeal.

If part of your application was missing

Your high school counselor is a human being and makes mistakes too. Maybe they forgot to submit a recommendation letter and you realized too late that it affected your admission decision. Or perhaps something went wrong with submitting your test scores and they never arrived. Whatever the case, if you suspect that you were rejected because something was missing from the dozens of documents that every applicant must submit, appealing your decision might be worthwhile.

Related:  11 Steps to Finalizing and Submitting Your College Apps  

If you’re a one-trick pony

If you’re a student who got the top score on one section of the ACT and the lowest score on another section, contact the college’s department for your perspective major when you submit an appeal. Maybe the school would accept you if the English department could vouch for your potential to become the next great American author, or the Science department could boost your application if they knew you’d conducted leading cancer research. In addition, include anything you’ve accomplished since you last applied, provide documentation if possible, and make sure it is truly significant.

If it’s a less selective school

You have a better chance of having a successful appeal if the school in question accepts a higher percentage of its applicants . The more selective the school, the more selective the appeals process. Additionally, more selective schools receive more appeal letters, as they reject more students, so you’ll be thrown into a larger pile and given less of a chance. Again, sending an appeal letter can never hurt, but know where the odds are in your favor and where they are not, and adjust your hopes accordingly.

If you upped your test scores (a lot)

If you retook the SAT or ACT and your scores changed drastically—far more than a point or two—you should definitely consider submitting an appeal letter. Test scores can really affect admission decisions, as colleges use them to measure students from very different schools against each another equally. So if you up your scores, you may up your chances of being accepted.

Related:  Improve Your Admission Chances After a Low Test Score  

If there’s an inaccuracy in your transcript

Did your transcript not show a class you took over the summer at a community college? Was there an error with a grade or your demographic information? If any vital information on your transcript was left out or if something was incorrect, you should consider appealing.

What if the school doesn't accept appeals?

Keep in mind that some colleges don’t accept appeals, and those that do usually stand by their original decision. Before you start writing, be sure to check the college’s policy on admission decision appeals. You might be able to find their policy online on their admission home page, but your best bet is to just call the admission office and ask. However, if the school you've got your eye on accepts appeals, what's the harm in trying?

Do I need to grovel?

Your tone should be formal and polite , not desperate or bitter. Colleges don’t care how upset you are about not getting in. They do, however, care  why  you genuinely feel as though a mistake was made in their decision. Additionally, you should proofread your letter at least five times before you send it. Have every English teacher you have ever had proofread it. Make sure this letter reads as the absolute best it can be. You wouldn’t want to have your appeal denied because of a few easily avoided typos.

Related:  4 Things to Do if You're Deferred by Your Dream College  

Here’s a final pro tip for appealing an admission decision: Sometimes the school “encourages” you to send extra information, such as another recommendation or supplemental essays, along with your appeal. That “encouragement” is code for requirement—send it or you probably won’t stand much of a chance. And one last thing: if you didn’t get into your dream school or if your appeal letter isn’t successful, don’t let this rejection get you down. Be sure to have a backup plan that will make you happy, and remember that college is what you make of it. This moment will be a far-distant memory in the fall when you’re having fun at a school that truly fits you!

For more tips on the college application process, check out our other  articles and advice on college admission!

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Appeal Letters

How to Write an Appeal Letter for College Admission

An appeal letter for college admission is a letter written by a college applicant whose admission was denied, with the purpose of requesting reconsideration for admission. Writing an appeal letter for admission to your dream college doesn’t need to be complicated. It requires you to take some initial steps before you write and demonstrate your case for reconsideration. Write to the admissions office and the dean of the college you wish to attend.

This article will explain how to write your appeal letter and provide a format for your letter.

How to Write An Appeal Letter for College Admission

• Know your college’s appeal process. Some colleges refuse to take admissions appeals, while others provide a form you must complete to request an appeal. Before you begin an appeal letter, learn your college’s appeal process. You may be able to find this information online at the college’s website. You can also call the admissions office at your target college.
• Submit your appeal as soon as possible. It is easy to be discouraged when you receive a letter letting you know you haven’t been accepted into your dream college’s next freshman class. But it is important to act on the appeal process as soon as you can if you are determined to attend your target college.
• Write your letter. This is your entrance into the adult world and your battle to fight. Although advice from parents and teachers is helpful, colleges generally dismiss appeal letters written by parents or teachers.
• Provide specific details. Most successful college admission appeals occur for one of two reasons: 1) your original application contained some error, or 2) definitive changes have occurred since you applied, such as you retook a standardized test and scored significantly higher.
• Verify any changes to your application. If you have retaken the SAT and scored significantly higher, write this information in your letter and provide a copy of your scores. If you have recently won an award, make this clear and include a copy of an award certificate if possible.
• If you choose to provide personal information, do so convincingly. You may have a compelling need to go to college in a specific location. For instance, if your financial situation is such that you need to remain at home to attend college, mention your dedication to your education and financial need.
• Enclose letters of recommendation. If you scored low in mathematics but quite high in English, ask your English teacher to verify your potential as an educator or writer – whatever your goal may be. Sometimes a letter of recommendation can tip the appeal in your favor. This is one place in the appeal process that help can be useful.
• Demonstrate your commitment to attending. If you are certain you will attend the college if you are accepted, let the college know. If you don’t need financial assistance to attend, include this information. These details may help your appeal.
• Write your appeal letter in a professional format. How you write is as important as what you write. Format your content correctly and write in a professional tone. The college wants to know why you should be reconsidered, but not how awful you feel for not being chosen for their next freshman class. Proofread your letter several times for errors, and have others proofread your letter. Be sure it is polished and professional.
• Keep your other options open. Ideally, your appeal will be considered, and you will be admitted to your target college. But remember that successful appeals are rare. You may need to get a great freshman year behind you at another college and apply for a transfer the next year.

Appeal Letter for College Admission (Format)

{your name}

{your address}

{recipient name}

{recipient title}

{college name}

{college address}

Dear {recipient name},

My name is {your name}, and I applied for admission to {college name} for the next freshman class. I am writing to provide new information to my application, hoping to appeal my initial rejection for admission. I believe my application was rejected because the main reason you think you were rejected here.}.

{Use this space to tell your target college how the reason you were rejected has changed. For instance, if you have received awards, obtained higher test scores, done volunteer work, etc.}

Although I understand it is rare that an application rejection is overturned, I believed I should try under these circumstances. I greatly appreciate your consideration of my appeal. If I am accepted, I can assure you I will work hard to represent the best qualities of {college name}.

{your signature}

Sample Appeal Letter for College Admission

David Moore

2089 South Elysium

Harrison, PA 89300

June 2, 2022

Mr. James Carrington

Dean, College of Engineering

Broken Bow University

8927 West Jacobson Street

Dear Mr. Carrington,

My name is David Moore and I applied for admission to Broken Bow University College of Engineering for the next freshman class. I am writing to provide new information to my application, hoping to appeal my initial rejection for admission. I believe the main reason my application was rejected is my poor SAT scores.

I was ill when I originally sat for my SAT exam, and my scores were not truly indicative of my capabilities as a student. I recently took the SAT again, and my scores were considerably better. They now more demonstrate my academic ability. My math score went from 590 to 700, and my verbal score improved from 580 to 680. My composite score is now 1380, placing me firmly in the 93rd percentile. My new test scores are attached.

Although I understand it is rare that an application rejection is overturned, I believed I should try under these circumstances. I greatly appreciate your consideration of my appeal. If I am accepted, I can assure you I will work hard to represent the best qualities of Broken Bow University.

Appeal Letter for College Admission (Word Template)

Key Points:

• Know your college’s appeal policy and write promptly. Write your own letter.
• Explain why your appeal should be considered clearly.
• Provide proof in the form of awards, test scores, or letters of recommendation.
• Demonstrate your commitment to attending.
• Write your appeal letter in a professional format like the one above.

How did our templates helped you today?

Opps what went wrong, related posts.

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How to Write an Appeal Letter for Financial Aid (With Samples)

How to Write an Appeal Letter for College

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Appeal Letter for Employment Reconsideration

Thank you for your feedback.

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Tips On How To Appeal A College Rejection

By Eric Eng

College rejection

What is a college rejection? Although getting a rejection letter can be upsetting, you must keep in mind that it does not sum up your value or chances of success. Read on to discover some tips on how to appeal a college rejection.

AdmissionSight listed some points that should be remembered:

• It doesn’t define your value as a person: Rejection is a fact of life and doesn’t determine your value as a person. College admission decisions are based on a variety of criteria, and they are not always indicative of your skills or potential.
• Don’t take it personally: Grades, test results, extracurricular activities, and personal statements are just a few of the criteria used to make admissions decisions. It’s possible that the college was searching for particular traits or backgrounds that you lacked.
• Think about your options: If you had your heart set on a specific college, you might want to think about filing an appeal or reapplying in the future. There are many excellent universities out there, so keep in mind that you might find a better fit somewhere else.
• Have an optimistic outlook: While rejection can be disappointing, it’s crucial to maintain a positive outlook and continue forward motion. You’ll succeed in the end if you concentrate on your advantages and keep working toward your objectives.

Keep in mind that there are many ways to be successful. Education is just one of those ways. Keep working hard and keeping your head up, and you’ll accomplish great things.

In the next portion, we will discuss recovering from college rejection and some tips on how to appeal a college rejection.

Recovering from college rejection

How is recovering from college rejection done? Although getting a college rejection letter can be upsetting, you must keep in mind that it’s not the end of the world. Here are some pointers for recovering from college rejection. Check them out below:

• Let yourself experience your emotions. It’s acceptable to experience disappointment, sadness, or frustration. Give yourself time to grieve and the space to digest your feelings.
• Speak to other people. Discuss your feelings with friends, family, or a counselor. Having a support system might make you feel less alone and help you handle your feelings.
• Consider your options. Examine the admissions requirements of any other colleges you might be interested in. Before reapplying to college, you can also think about taking a year off to work, travel, or explore other hobbies.
• Consider your successes and strengths.  Sometimes rejection can make you feel inferior, but that isn’t the case. Consider your successes, attributes, and areas of interest. This may inspire you to work toward your objectives and help you regain your confidence.
• Continue moving forward. Make the most of this experience as a teaching moment and inspiration to keep working toward your objectives. Keep in mind that one college rejection does not sum up who you are or your chances of success.

Keep in mind that there are numerous routes to achievement and that education is only one stop on your road. You’ll succeed if you stay committed to your objectives and keep moving forward.

After knowing what a college rejection is and how to recover from a college rejection, the next topic to discuss is tips on how to appeal a college rejection.

Tips on how to appeal a college rejection

What are the tips on how to appeal a college rejection? You’ve spent time and effort applying to the colleges on your list, after all. Even so, there is still a chance for you to enroll at that institution.

Although reversals are rare, some universities allow students to appeal rejections, so it may be worthwhile to do so. There is a chance that your appeal will be successful if the circumstances surrounding your initial admissions have drastically changed and you believe you have a good case.

The following are the tips on how to appeal a college rejection:

1. Examine the school’s admissions requirements.

It’s not always easy to understand how to appeal a decision that has been made. If you want to be as effective as possible, you must adhere to any official protocol that is already in place as well as any recommendations made by the admissions department.

There are a number of institutions whose websites have little or no information, even though some of them have formal processes with applications and deadlines.

You might need to contact the admissions office to learn more about their policies and regulations. Make a succinct list of the steps you need to take before the call. Ask them if there is anything in particular that they don’t want you to send or do.

You don’t want your application to be rejected because it contains extraneous material if you’re filing an appeal during the busy admissions season.

Some colleges consider their admissions decisions to be final and won’t accept appeals. If so, don’t make an effort to bargain. There is nothing you can do but accept the circumstance with grace and continue your life.

2. Provide a strong argument for acceptance.

You must have new facts to offer the college admissions committee if you want to convince them to review your application. Make sure your appeal contains evidence such as:

• Modifications to your initial application;
• Significantly better exam or grade results;
• Honors and awards you have achieved since your initial application

By including your ideas and emotions, you can add a personal touch to your appeal. One method to start is to explain to the admissions staff why you think they were wrong to reject you in the first place, so be careful not to imply that they were wrong.

You may also wish to highlight any mitigating circumstances that have improved or affected your life, such as volunteer or community work, education that has given you a special skill set, or a change in how you view yourself.

3. Choose to whom you should appeal to

This is one of the most effective tips on how to appeal a college rejection. Your appeal will frequently start and end with the admissions office.

You don’t have to confine yourself to that department, though, if there are no limitations on who you can contact during an appeal or if the school has no explicit rules regarding who you can appeal to.

Making an appeal to a group other than the admissions representatives comes with a very important condition, though. Only send secondary letters using this method, and only if you’ve had prior contact with department chairs or faculty members who teach in your major.

You should only communicate with the admissions office if those connections have been clearly made.

In order to get your case in front of the appropriate person, it is also in your best interest to move swiftly and deliberately as schools are wrapping up final judgments for the upcoming year.

4. Be ready to get yet another rejection.

Remember that appealing an admissions decision is uncommon and that it is unlikely that the institution will change its mind.

Just two to four percent of candidates successfully appeal an admissions decision, according to information supplied by staff at numerous different institutions around the nation.

Even though the outcome could be disappointing, be proud of yourself for battling through the difficulties. You should now concentrate on selecting the best option from the list of colleges that accepted you. And keep in mind that you will still have the ability to transfer in the future if you are still committed to going to your first-choice institution.

Although difficult, writing an appeal letter for college admission might be beneficial. You can write a compelling and convincing letter that shows your qualifications, particular circumstances, and passion for the college by using tips on how to appeal a college rejection.

Remember that a successful appeal is not always possible. Yet, if you plan carefully and pay close attention to every last detail, you might be able to convince the admissions committee to reevaluate your application.

In AdmissionSight , our college admission experts will provide the necessary guidance for every step of the way. You can get assistance to make sure you get into the college of your choice.

In order to help you plan your entire college career and make sure you get accepted to the college of your choice, AdmissionSight will evaluate your academic and extracurricular profile and give you a roadmap.

We will also be able to help you maintain your academic direction and competence so that you won’t simply rely on athletic scholarships.

AdmissionSight is the world’s leading Ivy League and college admission consulting company. You may obtain all the necessary advice from the team by making an appointment. Book your consultation today!

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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So you’ve received the proverbial thin envelope–or more likely, in this day and age, the brief email. After all the time and effort you put into your application, in the end, you’ve been turned down by the college you really wanted to attend. We at CollegeVine certainly know how much it stings to work hard, put yourself out there, and be rejected.

Right now, you’re probably considering your other options and making some hard decisions about which offer to accept. Hopefully, you have other interesting and exciting opportunities to consider at other schools . At the same time, though, if you received a “no” from a college you felt was a perfect fit for you, you’re likely struggling with a great deal of disappointment and the feeling that the admissions committee must have simply made a mistake.

Did the admissions committee make a mistake? The answer to that question, as much as no one wants to hear it, is most likely no. Admissions committees at competitive schools have the very difficult task of sorting through a large number of applications from accomplished, qualified, and interesting students seeking to fill a small number of places in the matriculating class. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, your application didn’t make the cut.

It’s natural to question why you were rejected, but there is likely a simple explanation. There may have been weaknesses in your application compared to those of other applicants. There may simply have been too many qualified applicants to accept them all. Either way, most admissions decisions are final, and you should devote your energy to deciding which of your other options to attend.

However, under certain specific circumstances, such as if there was an error on your initial application, some colleges may be willing to reconsider your application after initially rejecting you. Read on to learn more about whether you’re a good candidate for an appeal, how to write your appeal letter, and some dos and don’ts for crafting your appeal.

How do I decide whether to appeal my admissions decision?

First of all, as mentioned above, most college admissions decisions are final and cannot be reconsidered. Some colleges, especially major private schools, do not consider appeals for any reason. Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia, among many others, fall into this category. If one of these schools denies you admission, all you can do is accept the rejection with grace and move on.

Public schools, however–for example, the schools in the University of California system – are more likely to consider admissions appeals, but policies vary greatly from school to school. Check your chosen school’s admissions website and speak to an admissions representative to determine if appealing is even an option at a given school. Sending an appeal letter to a college that does not consider appeals is obviously not a good use of your time.

The reasoning behind why you’re asking to be reconsidered is also important. Even if your chosen college does theoretically accept appeals, you’ll have to meet certain criteria in order to submit a case for reconsideration. It’s hard to accept a rejection, but you can’t submit an appeal solely on the basis of the fact that you disagree with the admissions committee’s decision. (Think of how many appeals there would be if that were allowed!)

But what if you know of a student whose application seemed to be weaker than yours, and yet was admitted to a particular college while you were rejected? Though it’s certainly tempting to feel as though this is proof of an error on the admissions committee’s part, don’t fall into the trap of assuming you know exactly why and how they made their decisions. Even if another student had lower test scores or grades than you did, you have no way of knowing what their application looked like on the whole.

An admission decision depends on so many different factors that it is be very difficult for an outsider to truly know how or why a decision is made. , In addition, as we said previously,  there are far more qualified applicants to competitive schools than there are spots to be filled. The bottom line is this: don’t compare yourself to other applicants. Believing that someone who appears less qualified than you has received an offer of admission when you haven’t is never a sufficient reason for appealing your admissions decision.

In order to have grounds for an appeal, generally, you must be able to prove that your initial application didn’t accurately represent your achievements. Here are some specific circumstances under which a college might be willing to reconsider your admissions decision.

Clerical error

If a major part of your application, such as your standardized test scores or your GPA, was incorrectly reported to the college in a manner that was outside of your control, you may have a case for an appeal. This is not terribly common, but if you suspect it may have happened to you, an admission representative may be able to help you figure out exactly what was reported incorrectly.

New information

Some colleges may accept appeals based on your accomplishments after your initial application was submitted. However, the accomplishments would have to be substantial in order to change the minds of the admissions committee. Perhaps you retook your SATS and scored significantly better- typically by 150 points or more. Perhaps you won a major national award. In these cases, an appeal may be possible depending on the individual school’s policies.

It’s very important to keep in mind that appeals are rarely successful in reversing a rejection. This is true even if your chosen college does accept appeals in the first place, and even if you believe you have a strong case for reconsideration according to their policies. Most of the time, the admissions committee will decide to stick to its original decision denying you a spot in the first-year class, so you should be prepared for that eventuality. (Don’t turn down those other offers of admission just yet.)

It’s up to you to decide whether it’s worthwhile to put time and effort into pursuing an appeal. If you do determine that an appeal is permitted at your particular school, justified in your particular circumstances, and worth your time, there are some additional things you should know in order to craft your appeal letter.

How do I ask the admissions committee to reconsider my application?

The first step in appealing your admissions decision is to thoroughly research your chosen college’s policies regarding appeals. Every school has its own requirements; even the various schools within the University of California system, for example, have their own individual appeal processes and policies. Make sure that your case fits the school’s criteria for reassessment before putting time and work into an appeal.

Keep in mind also that depending on the school, there may be specific and inflexible deadlines to meet. In any case, though, you should start the process of filing an appeal as soon as you possibly can to minimize any schedule conflicts. (Even so, admissions offices cannot always guarantee that appeals will be processed before the response deadlines for other schools, so plan accordingly.)

Speaking directly to an admissions representative is always helpful in this situation. That conversation may clarify for you where and how your initial application did not accurately represent you as a candidate. An admissions representative may also be able to help you navigate the appeal process for that particular school, as these processes differ and some are more formal than others.

Your appeal will generally take the form of a written letter detailing why you believe your application should be reconsidered. Along with that letter, you’ll include whatever evidence you can provide as to what was incorrect in your initial application and/or what you have achieved since that application was submitted. We’ll go over what to include and what not to include in your appeal letter in greater detail below.

What should I include in my appeal letter?

The most important part of your appeal letter is the evidence you present to build your case. The admissions committee has already considered your application once, and if they are to reconsider it, they will be looking for new and different information about what makes you a perfect candidate for their school.

If your appeal is based on the contention that there was a significant inaccuracy on your original application, you’ll need to provide proof that this is the case. Exactly what that entails depends on the nature of the mistake that was made. The more information you can gather, and the more official that information, the better.

If your appeal is based on an accomplishment since the time of the original application, you should be explicit about what you’ve achieved, and back that up with documentation as well. Did you dramatically improve your standardized test scores? Include your score reports. Did your grades rise? Include your transcript. Did you win a major award? Include whatever documents you can provide, from certificates to press clippings.

Again, different schools have different policies and procedures, and you should educate yourself fully about your chosen school’s requirements and restrictions. Some schools allow you to submit letters of recommendation or support at this point, but some don’t. Some schools have a very specific online procedure for submitting an appeal, while some leave more of the format up to you. Whatever your options are at your particular college, however, you should exhaust them fully. Too much information is better than too little.

When you write to the admissions committee, make sure your tone is mature and professional. (Having a teacher or counselor read your letter before you send it may be helpful.) Keep the focus of your letter on yourself. Your letter should be all about you , your qualities, what you’ve achieved, and why the school to which you’re appealing would be an excellent fit for you. No mention of other applicants should appear in your appeal, and you should maintain a positive attitude throughout your letter.

Finally, it cannot be understated how important it is to approach the admissions committee with the respect they deserve. The committee members are professionals with a difficult task on their plates and often an enormous number of applications to consider relative to the number of slots they are able to fill. They have more information and insight on the applicant pool than you do, and the final decision rests with them.

In appealing the admissions committee’s decision, you are asking for more of their time and attention during a part of the academic year which is already extremely busy. It may take more time than you would like for your appeal letter to be considered. Unfortunately, the odds are you will  receive an answer that you don’t like: namely, that your appeal has been rejected. If this happens, accept the admission committee’s response with appropriate poise.

Through it all, be polite, be gracious, and be appreciative of the work that admissions professionals are doing on your behalf. Thank them for doing you the favor of considering your appeal.

What should I NOT include in my appeal letter?

First and foremost, you should not include anything in your letter that states or implies that the admissions committee made the wrong decision. That may be how you honestly feel, but it would be highly inappropriate and unhelpful to your case to say so.

Being an applicant, your knowledge of the admission decision process is necessarily limited, and you are not in a position to judge whether the committee made the correct choice. If you honestly believe that your initial application did not accurately represent you to the admissions committee for reasons beyond your control, it’s reasonable to ask for a chance to correct the error, but this does not mean that the committee made a mistake in rejecting you.

As mentioned earlier in this post, you should not include information about any other applicants in your appeal letter. Even if you feel your rejected application was stronger than that of a particular person who was accepted to your chosen college, don’t assume that you know better than the admissions committee. Many non-quantifiable factors influence admissions decisions – it’s not all about grades and SAT scores. The committee almost certainly has a good reason for making the decision it did.

Don’t succumb to the temptation to be negative or accusatory in your appeal letter. This is another reason why it’s helpful to have another person read your letter before your submit it. Besides editing for the basics of spelling and grammar, another reader can help you determine if your tone is appropriate, professional, and respectful.

Another adjective that you don’t want your appeal letter to evoke is “entitled.” Remember that competitive colleges attract more qualified applicants than they can admit, and applying to one of these schools should always be considered a reach . There are no guarantees, no matter how much you might feel that you are perfect for that particular school (and vice versa).

There are a huge number of smart, dedicated, and accomplished high-school students out there. This doesn’t mean that you’re not a great applicant – you very well may be! All it means is that admissions officers have extremely tough decisions to make, and those decisions will not always work out in your favor.

On a more practical level, remember that your appeal letter is supposed to present new or different information about you as an applicant. It should not be simply a rehash of the application that you originally submitted. Remember, the admissions committee has already assessed that application and rejected it.

Don’t just repeat what the admissions committee already knows about you. If there was a clerical error on your original application, what is different about your corrected application? If you have improved as a student or achieved grand new things, what are they? Focus on where the information in your appeal letter diverges from that presented in your original application, and give the application committee the opportunity to get to know the real you.

If, after reading this post, you’re convinced that you’re a suitable candidate for an admissions appeal, and appeals are permitted by your chosen school, contact your admissions representative for more information on getting started with your appeal letter and supporting information. Good luck!

What if you were rejected from  all  the colleges you applied to? It’s not a frequent occurrence, but it does sometimes happen . Whether or not an appeal is appropriate in your situation, you do have options. Check out our post on What If I Wasn’t Accepted To Any College?  for more advice on how to figure out what’s next.

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Has anyone here ever appealed a college rejection? Is it worth it, and what should I include in my appeal? I'm feeling pretty lost, and any advice you can share would be amazing.

Appealing a college rejection can be a challenging process, but it's not impossible. Here's some advice if you decide to go through with it.

First, keep in mind that successful appeals are rare. Colleges stand by their initial decisions the majority of the time. However, if you believe there's new or overlooked information that significantly adds to your application, it may be worth pursuing an appeal.

In your appeal letter, be professional, respectful, and concise. Avoid expressing anger or frustration, as that's unlikely to help your cause. Instead, focus on presenting factual information that can alter the admission committee's perspective about your application.

Include the following in your appeal:

1. Clear reasoning for the appeal: Explain the circumstances that led to your decision to appeal, and describe the new or overlooked information that strengthens your candidacy.

2. Updated information: If you have received new achievements, awards, or significant developments since your initial application, mention them in the appeal. This could include an exceptional improvement in your grades, leadership accomplishments, or community service activities.

3. Letters of support: If you can gather new or additional letters of recommendation, particularly ones from people who can vouch for your recent achievements or circumstances, that could be helpful. However, don't overdo it, as too many letters may water down your appeal.

4. Display your commitment: Express your genuine interest in attending the college and explain how it aligns with your academic and professional goals. Demonstrating your knowledge of the college's programs and opportunities will help show that you're passionate about attending.

Keep in mind that appealing a rejection is not the same as requesting an explanation for why you were not admitted. Instead, it's an opportunity for the college to reconsider your application based on new or overlooked information.

Remember, appeals are not always successful. In the meantime, you should consider your other acceptance offers and focus on making the most of those opportunities. If your heart is set on the college that rejected you, consider other pathways, such as transferring after a year or two from another institution. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Tips for Appealing a College Rejection Decision

Be Sure to Follow These Tips When Appealing a College Rejection

• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

If you've been rejected from a college, there's a chance that you can and should appeal that rejection letter. In many cases, however, an appeal is really not appropriate and you should respect the college's decision. If you decide that you do want to attempt an appeal, be sure to consider the suggestions below. A poorly executed appeal is simply a waste of your time and the admissions office's time.

Should You Appeal Your Rejection?

It's important to begin this article with what is probably a discouraging reality check: In general, you shouldn't challenge a rejection letter. Decisions are nearly always final, and you are most likely wasting your time and the time of the admissions folks if you appeal. Before you decide to appeal, make sure that you have a  legitimate reason to appeal a rejection . Being angry or frustrated or feeling like you were treated unfairly are not reasons to appeal.

If, however, you have significant new information that will strengthen your application, or you know of a clerical error that might have hurt your application, an appeal might be appropriate.

Tips for Appealing Your Rejection

• First, try to find out why you were rejected. This can be done with a polite phone call or email message to your admissions representative. When contacting the admissions office, a little humility can be helpful. Don't challenge the admissions decision or suggest that the school made the wrong decision. You are simply trying to learn about any weaknesses the college found in your application.
• If you find you were rejected for something that hasn't changed—grades, SAT scores , lack of depth in extracurricular activities —thank the admissions officer for his or her time, and move on. An appeal isn't going to be appropriate or helpful.
• The admissions officers weren't wrong in their decision, even if you think they were. Suggesting they were wrong will simply make them defensive, make you appear arrogant, and hurt your cause.
• If you are appealing because of an administrative error from your high school (grades reported incorrectly, a misdirected letter, miscalculated class rank, etc.), present the error in your letter, and accompany your letter with a letter from your high school counselor to legitimize your claim. Have your school send a new official transcript if appropriate.
• If you have new information to share, make sure it is significant. If your SAT scores went up 10 points or your GPA climbed .04 points, don't bother appealing. If, on the other hand, you just had your best quarter ever in high school by far, or you got back SAT scores that were 120 points higher, this information is worth sharing. 
• The same can be said for extracurricular activities and awards. A participation certificate for a spring soccer camp is not going to make the school reverse a rejection decision. Learning that you made the All-American team, however, is worth sharing. 
• Always be polite and appreciative. Recognize that the admissions officers have a tough job, and that you realize how competitive the process is. At the same time, reaffirm your interest in the school and present your meaningful new information. 
• An appeal letter need not be long. In fact, it is best to respect the busy schedules of the admissions folks and keep your letter brief and focused.

A Final Word on Appealing a College Rejection

This sample appeal letter can help guide you as you craft your own letter, but make sure you don't copy its language—a plagiarized appeal letter is not going to make a college reverse its decision.

Again, be realistic when approaching an appeal. You are unlikely to be successful, and in most cases an appeal is not appropriate. Many schools don't even consider appeals. In some cases, however, an appeal can succeed when your credentials have changed measurably.

In cases of a significant procedural or clerical errors, it is worth talking with the admissions office about an appeal even if the school says it doesn't allow them. Most schools will give you a second look if you were hurt by a mistake made by your school or the college.

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In some situations, you may wish to appeal your admission decision. If you would like to submit an appeal, read the information below.

Decision Appeals

Appealing an admission decision.

UT Austin carefully and thoughtfully considers all of the information you provide when you apply. Our application review process involves the careful reading and consideration of each application. UT Austin makes final admission decisions about an incoming class only after considering all applicants, the needs of the University and its academic programs, and limitations on class size. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the University would reverse its original admission decision.  

Submitting a Decision Appeal

Submit your appeal along with the following:

• One short answer (500 words or fewer) to the following prompt: “Describe the new information (not already included in your original application) that should be considered by the appeals committee, and why. This new, significant and/or compelling information can be related to your  academic performance, extracurricular activities or a description of the extenuating circumstances.
• One letter of recommendation from a mentor or community member who can speak to the nature of the appeal, which should include compelling background. This can include teachers and school officials, although we encourage providing letters from people outside your school.
• Updated transcript, if applicable.

Submit Your Appeal

Review and Final Decision Process

• The Office of Admissions Appeals Committee reviews admission decision appeals to determine if the new, significant, and/or compelling information provided by the applicant warrants a different admission decision. The committee meets after all admission decisions are delivered for an application cycle.
• Admission to the requested college/school and major.
• Admission to an alternative college/school or major.
• Denial of applicant’s appeal (original decision denying admissions stands).
• The Vice Provost of Admissions may accept or reject the committee’s recommendation or ask the committee for additional information or analysis. The Vice Provost’s decision is final.
• You’ll be notified of the decisions in MyStatus.

Other Appeals

There are additional situations in which you may need to submit an appeal. Each appeal is considered on a case-by-case basis and should be submitted online .

Other appeals include:

• Requesting to defer admission to a later semester.
• Modifying a previously declined admission offer.
• Appealing for a late application to be considered on time.

Appeal outcomes are delivered in MyStatus . No appeals are accepted by phone, fax or email. Appeals received after the deadline are not considered. All appeals decisions are final.  

Fall Freshman Appeals

• Appeals may be Submitted Between January 1 - March 15
• Appeal Decisions Delivered By April 1

Fall Transfer Appeals

• Appeals may be Submitted Between June 1 - 15, or two weeks after you receive admission decision
• Appeal Decisions Delivered By July 30

Spring Freshman + Transfer Appeals

• Appeals may be Submitted Two weeks after you receive admission decision

Essays and Short Answer Prompts

The Penn application process includes a personal essay —which is sent to most schools you apply to—as well as a few short answer prompts . We read your words carefully, as they are yet another window into how you think, what you value, and how you see the world. Through your writing, we get a glimpse of what you might bring to our community—including your voice and creativity. 

Remember, you are the expert on your story. This is an opportunity for you to reflect and understand who you are now, and who you want to be in the future. You have the agency to choose the information you want to share. This is your story: your experiences, your ideas, your perspective.   

A Few Writing Tips

• Review the prompts thoroughly.  Be sure you’re answering the question or prompt being asked. Topics are chosen because the Admissions Committee wants to know specific things about you. If you don’t address them directly, we are left to make decisions regarding your application with incomplete information. 
• Consider your response carefully.  We understand that you may be writing responses for different schools and you may want to reuse material, but be sure to read through your response to make sure it is relevant to the prompt. 
• Double-check your writing.  Give yourself time to revisit your response. Try to avoid rushing your writing process so you have time to revise your work. Ultimately, it is up to you to polish and proofread your writing before you submit. 
• Do your research. Are there classes you’re eager to take? Research opportunities you’d love to pursue? A group or club you want to be a part of? This kind of specificity shows us you’re serious about Penn and have thought about how you’d spend your time here. 

2023-24 Short Answer and Essay Prompts

When answering these prompts, be precise when explaining both why you are applying to Penn and why you have chosen to apply to that specific undergraduate school. Some of our specialized programs will have additional essays to complete, but the  Penn short answer prompts should address your single-degree or single-school choice.  

• Write a short thank-you note to someone you have not yet thanked and would like to acknowledge. (We encourage you to share this note with that person, if possible, and reflect on the experience!) (150-200 words, not required for transfer applicants) 
• How will you explore community at Penn? Consider how Penn will help shape your perspective, and how your experiences and perspective will help shape Penn. (150-200 words) 
• The school-specific prompt is unique to the school to which you are applying. (For example, all applicants applying to the College of Arts and Sciences will respond to the prompt under the “College of Arts and Sciences” section). Considering the undergraduate school you have selected for your single-degree option, please respond to your school-specific prompt below.  

Transfer Essay (required for all transfer applicants): Please explain your reasons for transferring from your current institution and what you hope to gain by transferring to another institution. (4150 characters) 

Undergraduate School-Specific Short Answer Prompts

For students applying to coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer this question about your single-degree school choice; your interest in the coordinated dual-degree or specialized program may be addressed through the program-specific essay.  

Penn Nursing intends to meet the health needs of society in a global and multicultural world by preparing its students to impact healthcare by advancing science and promoting equity. What do you think this means for the future of nursing, and how do you see yourself contributing to our mission of promoting equity in healthcare? (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about  Penn Nursing’s mission and how we promote equity in healthcare . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of our values and how they align with your own goals and aspirations. 

The flexible structure of The College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum is designed to inspire exploration, foster connections, and help you create a path of study through general education courses and a major. What are you curious about and how would you take advantage of opportunities in the arts and sciences? (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about the  academic offerings within the College of Arts and Sciences .  This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of how the study of the liberal arts aligns with your own goals and aspirations. 

Wharton prepares its students to make an impact by applying business methods and economic theory to real-world problems, including economic, political, and social issues.  Please reflect on a current issue of importance to you and share how you hope a Wharton education would help you to explore it.  (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about  the foundations of a Wharton education . This information will help you better understand what you could learn by studying at Wharton and what you could do afterward. 

Penn Engineering prepares its students to become leaders in technology, by combining a strong foundation in the natural sciences and mathematics, exploration in the liberal arts, and depth of study in focused disciplinary majors. Please share how you hope to explore your engineering interests at Penn. (150-200 words) 

To help inform your response, applicants are encouraged to learn more about  Penn Engineering and its mission to prepare students for global leadership in technology . This information will help you develop a stronger understanding of academic pathways within Penn Engineering and how they align with your goals and interests. 

Coordinated Dual Degree and Specialized Program Essay Prompts

For students applying to coordinated dual-degree and specialized programs, please answer the program-specific essay below. 

** Numbers marked with double asterisks indicate a character count that only applies to transfer students applying through Common App.  

Why are you interested in the Digital Media Design (DMD) program at the University of Pennsylvania? (400-650 words / 3575 characters**) 

We encourage you to learn more about the DMD: Digital Media Design Program . 

The Huntsman Program supports the development of globally minded scholars who become engaged citizens, creative innovators, and ethical leaders in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the United States and internationally. What draws you to a dual-degree program in business and international studies, and how would you use what you learn to contribute to a global issue where business and international affairs intersect? (400-650 words) 

The LSM program aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the life sciences and their management with an eye to identifying, advancing, and implementing innovations. What issues would you want to address using the understanding gained from such a program? Note that this essay should be distinct from your single degree essay. (400-650 words) 

• Explain how you will use the M&T program to explore your interest in business, engineering, and the intersection of the two. (400-650 words) 
• Describe a problem that you solved that showed leadership and creativity. (250 words) 

Describe your interests in modern networked information systems and technologies, such as the internet, and their impact on society, whether in terms of economics, communication, or the creation of beneficial content for society. Feel free to draw on examples from your own experiences as a user, developer, or student of technology. (400-650 words / 3575 characters**) 

Discuss your interest in nursing and health care management. How might Penn's coordinated dual-degree program in nursing and business help you meet your goals? (400-650 words) 

How do you envision your participation in the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research (VIPER) furthering your interests in energy science and technology? Please include any past experiences (ex. academic, research, or extracurricular) that have led to your interest in the program. Additionally, please indicate why you are interested in pursuing dual degrees in science and engineering and which VIPER majors are most interesting to you at this time. (400-650 words) 

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Appeal letter

So I got rejected from a few reaches that I applied to back in November but the last few months have been a roller coaster ride and there is so much new info that can hopefully turn the tides.

Since the application I have had these Ecs and awards added to my portfolio:

-Headboy of graduating class (highest role in student body).

-Soccer team captain we recently won the state school championship.

-1st in schoolwide math competition.

-presentation on environmental tourism and marketing with the ministry of tourism and the ministry of the environment voted as the best presentation by the panel.

-2nd highest score in graduating class in the SSAT exam with a score of 2140 out of 2400 93rd percentile.

-A-level predicted grades: A*AB

-I was offered a 2 year contract by one of the top flight soccer clubs in Oman I denied this opportunity as I plan to pursue higher education and D1 soccer in the US.

-Entrepuenership presentation about "Shula City" a business plan and research analysis to create a one of a kind state of the art sustainable city in Oman as part of an event held by the ministry of environmental affairs for a chance at a full ride to any University in the world I placed 20th out of more than 3,000 applicants.

Covid-19 note: My IGCSE grades from grade 9-10 were predicted grades and our school has a lot of teacher bias this was the case for my grades as I have recently discovered I should have recieved multiple As instead of Cs but I was denied these grades because some teachers thought I was practising misconduct.

so would you recommend doing an appeal letter because USC says around 50 out of 2,000 applicants get their decisions appealed.

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7 Good Hooks for Essays – with College Essay Examples

July 17, 2024

Good Hooks for Essays with College Essay Examples — we begin with an example…

I felt a bead of sweat drip down my cheek as I stared at the blank document, ready to begin my first college essay. I wanted to type something, but my fingers sat still as though I’d forgotten how to use a keyboard. How do start?

Perhaps you can relate to this image. As it turns out, imagery itself could solve the problem for this writer.

As you write your college essays you should aim to engage your readers from the very first sentence. Why is this important? While college admissions officers may have already peered at your grades and activity lists, your essay is their first opportunity to get a sense of your unique personality. While you should avoid overloading your essay with complex metaphors and statistics (this could make you seem disorganized, insincere, or snobbish), a slightly unconventional or surprising start to the essay can work wonders.

We advise applicants to strengthen their college essays by beginning with hooks , or statements that pull in the attention of readers. Great hooks often come in the form of images, questions, strong declarations, and more. Continue reading for 7 types of great hooks for college essays, as well as college essay hook examples for each.

Good Hooks for Essays with College Essay Examples

1) tell a story.

This one is a personal favorite. A story hook involves beginning with a short anecdote related to your essay topic. Connecting your topic to a story is a great way to make your essay more exciting and memorable overall. With this hook type, it’s important that your story connects to your essay topic. It’s also important that it doesn’t become too long or unwieldy (a strong story can often be told in 1-3 sentences). Regardless, a story hook will likely be a bit longer than the other hooks you might use.

Example 1: I would spend my Sundays strolling through the aisles of the fabric store, touching various laces and chiffons. I was fascinated by the colors and textures, inspired to create something, though I had no clue how to do so without some kind of unattainable expertise. One Sunday in early autumn, I met the woman who would teach me how to sew, leading me on the path to becoming a costume designer for our school plays.

(Through this story, the applicant appeals to the reader’s senses and successfully prepares for a discussion about their sewing and costume design experience).

Example 2: As we picked up trash along the trail, reaching for sharp bottle caps and sticky candy wrappers glimmering in the sunlight, I thought about how each one of these remnants could end up in the world’s oceans. My summer of volunteering at the state park confirmed my interest in pursuing environmental science.

(This story hook perfectly sets up a college essay about one’s community service experience and passion for environmental science).

Good Hooks for Essays with College Essay Examples (Continued)

2) describe something interesting.

Similar to the story hook, the description hook draws in readers by recounting a vivid scene, which may or may not feed into a longer story. Used frequently in many types of writing, the point of the description is to develop intrigue, making readers curious to know more.

Example 1: Rain poured down as I sat in the car, hearing only loud thumps against the windshield. The sky was darkening and my phone had almost completely lost signal. With nowhere to go and no one to call, I came to a realization.

(Playing off of the “ it was a dark and stormy night ” trope, this application writer develops intrigue by describing a lonely, rainy, and possibly frightening atmosphere).

Example 2: My grandmother’s homemade blintzes were always warm and cloud-like, with soft and sweet cheese oozing from their edges. Nobody in the family could make blintzes like she could. With each bite, I imagined her grandmother making them for her, and more generally, her life in Poland before she immigrated to the United States.

(Describing a familiar recipe or family tradition is a great way to lead into a discussion of one’s culture and identity).

3) Ask a thought-provoking question

You might also begin by asking a question related to your essay topic. Asking an interesting question, especially one that the reader may not have thought of, commonly leads to a desire to continue reading for the answer. This can be a rhetorical question (one that lends itself to an obvious answer, often used to make a point) or a genuine question (one you are sincerely asking yourself or someone else).

Example 1: Who wouldn’t want to be a Broadway star?

(This rhetorical question could begin an essay about an applicant who yearns to be onstage and pursue theater in college, or who once desired to act on stage but now wants to apply their theater background to a psychology major. Though of course not everyone wants to be a Broadway star, the rhetorical framing reveals the author’s perspective).

Example 2: When is it okay to eat animals?

(This genuine question could begin an essay about an applicant who grapples with the food industry, perhaps one who works or grew up on a farm or in the food service industry).

4) Make a declaration

If you’re writing about a topic that you feel strongly about, you may start with a declarative statement. Perhaps this statement is widely agreed upon, or maybe it’s more of a “hot take” (a controversial opinion that your reader could disagree with). Either way, you should support this statement as the essay unfolds. This hook is strongest when short and concise.

Example 1: In most situations, it’s far better to listen than to speak.

(This declaration sets the stage for discussing the skill of listening, perhaps a situation in which listening skills came in handy for the college applicant).

Example 2:   Reality TV offers crucial life lessons.

(This is an example of a more surprising “hot take,” since readers may not expect to hear that important life lessons can be learned from seemingly-frivolous reality TV. If supported thoughtfully, this hook can demonstrate the applicant’s confidence and humor).

5) Quote someone

Similar to declarations, quotes are often used because they are powerful, succinct, and eye-catching. Additionally, their familiarity or trustworthiness can add credibility to a college essay. Strong quotes can come from a variety of sources, from famous scientists, to politicians, to favorite high school teachers, to a book or film characters. Quotes can be moving, inspirational, thought-provoking, or funny, so long as they connect clearly to your essay topic.

Example 1: Author, poet, and Civil Rights Movement activist Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

(This famous quote by an important literary figure is perfect for setting up a discussion on the importance of doing good deeds or treating others with kindness).

Example 2: “The road to success is always under construction,” stated actress and comedian Lily Tomlin .

(If you’d like to give your essay a humorous edge, why not quote a comedian? This quote hook might introduce an essay that describes some bumps in the road along the way to success).

6) Give a surprising fact or statistic

Especially if your essay discusses scientific issues, social phenomena, or current events, it can be interesting to begin with a fact that the reader may not already know. Whether or not your fact contains statistics, it’s important to make sure the information comes from a credible source (which you should cite). You might visit The Pew Research Center , or a reputable newspaper or magazine such as The New York Times , The Guardian , or National Geographic . As with other types of hooks, make sure your fact connects to the rest of your essay and your life (your college essay should primarily be about your own identity and interests, as much as you might find it interesting to discuss a current event or political issue).

Example 1: Though women outnumber men in the U.S. college-educated workforce, they only make up about a third of workers in the country’s 10 highest-paying jobs ( Pew Research Center ).

(An applicant using this hook might continue on to discuss how they have dedicated themselves to feminist issues and plan to continue doing so in college).

Example 2: More than 40% of plastic is only used once, before being tossed ( National Geographic ).

(An applicant might be introducing an essay about starting an initiative at school to reduce plastic waste).

7) Name a common misconception

The common misconception hook challenges readers to rethink an assumption, or something commonly taken for granted. This can be an intriguing start to a college essay, while also demonstrating the writer’s capacity to reflect and think critically.

Example 1: Many believe that meditation is about emptying the mind, getting rid of all thoughts in order to find an ultimate state of calm. However, I’ve come to understand that it’s actually about focusing on the present.

(This would be a great way to begin an essay about how and why someone began meditating, and what the practice has taught them over the years).

Example 2: While people commonly associate “being intelligent” with having a wealth of facts memorized, being able to quickly complete math problems or memorize SAT words, a theory demonstrates that humans actually have 8 types of intelligence, including spatial intelligence and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence ( CNBC ).

(This applicant might go on to discuss spatial and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, and what they have learned from practicing volleyball and modern dance).

Further reading

If you are in fact sitting in front of the computer, having difficulty with the start of your college essays, hopefully these 7 types of essay hooks have offered some inspiration. While they are great ways to begin your Common App essay, tools such as quotes, facts, and stories can be useful in your body paragraphs and conclusions. They can also apply to your supplemental essays, including those on diversity and community .

For more advice to ease your college essay writing process, check out the following articles:

• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid—2024-25
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Ideas
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• Common App Essay Prompts—2024-25
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples—2024
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• College Essay

Sarah Mininsohn

With a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sarah is a writer, educator, and artist. She served as a graduate instructor at the University of Illinois, a tutor at St Peter’s School in Philadelphia, and an academic writing tutor and thesis mentor at Wesleyan’s Writing Workshop.

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What to avoid in college application essays | College Connection

An important part of the Common Application, which is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, is the personal essay. Students are given six options as prompts, as well as a seventh option which is to share an essay on a topic of choice.  So, students can write about anything at all.

The essay is an integral part of the application, as it is typically viewed by all the schools to which a student applies.  It is the one section where students have the opportunity to share what is unique about them and what qualities they will bring to their future college community.

To make their essay stand out, students should avoid some common pitfalls.

Do not cheat. That means students should not turn to ChatGPT or to another person  to write their essay. This should go without saying but, sadly, it does need to be said. College admissions officers know what the “voice” of a teenager sounds like, and that’s exactly what they’re looking for.

More: Top colleges where 'B' students are accepted | College Connection

Do not write about mental health issues. Although many young people, as well as those in every age group, deal with such issues, it is important not to share that information. Due to privacy laws, colleges are not able to contact parents if students struggle with depression, substance abuse, or any other troubling behavior. Therefore, students should not raise a red flag, or they will most likely find their applications in the “rejected” pile.

Do not be redundant. One’s personal essay is not the place to itemize the extracurricular, volunteer, and work experiences that are all included in the Activities section of the Common App. If there is one activity that dominated a student’s high school experience and is particularly compelling, it can be the topic of the essay. But students must elaborate on how they were profoundly impacted by their engagement. 

More: How where you live affects your college admissions chances | College Connection

Do not recycle successful essays that were submitted by prior applicants. Often, students turn to the multitude of articles showcasing essays written by students who were admitted to Ivy League and other elite institutions. What worked for a prior student will not be effective for another as it’s not their story. It’s vital for students to share their genuine story using their authentic voice.   The key to writing a thoughtful, introspective essay is to start early, carefully consider the story you want to share, and then do so in your very own style.

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT ® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362 .

5 Books About The College Application Process To Read This Summer

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In the increasingly competitive landscape of top college admissions, strategy and preparation are critical for crafting a standout application. The process of planning high school coursework, selecting extracurriculars, writing essays, and navigating financial aid can be overwhelming and stressful — even taking a toll on the relationship between students and their parents. However, with the right resources, families can recover the joy and excitement that comes with entering this new phase of a student’s journey.

Whether a student is preparing to start their freshman or senior year of high school in the fall, summer is an optimal time for students and their families to educate themselves about the college admissions process. If you’re lounging poolside or passing time on a flight, bring along the following books for engaging and instructive perspectives on the college admissions process:

1. The Truth about College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together by Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark

In The Truth about College Admission , Brennan Barnard, a college counselor, and Rick Clark, then the director of undergraduate admissions at Georgia Tech, provide a refreshing and honest look at the college application process. The book emphasizes maintaining family harmony and reducing stress while navigating the complexities of college admissions. With a focus on fostering open communication and realistic expectations, Barnard and Clark offer invaluable insights for both students and their families. For those who are hungry for more information, the authors also host a podcast with the same name, bringing together expert guests to share their insights on the college admissions process.

2. The Exceptional Applicant: For College Admission, You Don't Have to Be Perfect, You Just Have to Be Original by Deborah Bedor

Florida braces for ‘dirty rain.’ what that means, there is only one actor who can take over as mcu wolverine from hugh jackman, northern lights forecast: here’s where you could see aurora borealis tonight.

Deborah Bedor’s The Exceptional Applicant is a strategic guide aimed at high-achieving students aspiring to join the ranks at Ivy League and other top universities. A seasoned college admissions consultant, Bedor offers targeted insights to help students in every stage of the process develop an admissions strategy and craft an original and compelling profile. The book covers everything from selecting extracurricular activities to writing compelling essays and preparing for interviews. Bedor's insights are particularly valuable for students seeking to articulate their unique voice and perspective in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape.

3. Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions by Jeffrey Selingo

In Who Gets In and Why , journalist Jeffrey Selingo takes readers behind the college admissions curtain at Emory University, Davidson College, and the University of Washington to reveal insights into the secrets and nuances of the admissions process. Through meticulous reporting and interviews with admissions officers, Selingo reveals the strategies and decisions that admissions committees use to shape each incoming class. The book provides a nuanced understanding of what colleges are looking for in applicants and offers practical advice for students aiming to stand out. Selingo’s articulation of admissions officers’ processes makes this book an eye-opening read for students and parents embarking on the college admissions process.

4. On Writing the College Application Essay: The Key to Acceptance at the College of Your Choice by Harry Bauld

Harry Bauld’s On Writing the College Application Essay is a classic guide that has helped countless students craft essays that stand out in the decades since its original publication in 1987. A former admissions officer at Brown and Columbia, Bauld provides an insider’s perspective on what makes an essay memorable. The book offers practical tips on brainstorming, writing, and revising essays, as well as avoiding common pitfalls. Bauld’s lighthearted and engaging style makes this a must-read for any student facing the daunting task of writing their college application essays this summer.

5. Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania by Frank Bruni

For families seeking an alternative to the frenzied culture of college admissions preparation, New York Times columnist Frank Bruni offers a more nuanced approach to the process, challenging the conventional wisdom that people’s future success is determined by the prestige of the colleges they attend. In Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be , Bruni argues that the obsession with elite institutions is misplaced and that students can achieve success and fulfillment at a wide range of schools. A Times review of Bruni’s book states : “He doesn’t deny the networking value of attending a prestigious college — especially for those with the dubious dream of working on Wall Street — but he knows that this value is overstated, that the exhilaration of winning the prize is often a prelude to exhaustion, and that on every elite college campus the mental-health services are overstretched.” Bruni’s thought-provoking book provides a much-needed perspective to free students and parents caught up in the “mania” of college admissions—or to save them from getting caught up in it in the first place.

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