The Office of Admissions at UT Austin has a defined process for appeals,  with a March 15 deadline. There are huge variations from year to year in the number of students who are accepted via appeal. Before you make the decision to appeal, you need to know if you have a strong case for UT to reconsider you.

Here are some factors to consider as you decide whether or not an appeal is a good option for you: 

Do you have “new, significant and/or compelling information” that was not included in your initial application?

See the examples below to help you determine what type of information is significant and compelling.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE:

• Did your grades go up significantly—especially in rigorous coursework? 
• Did you receive an academic award? 
• Did you complete an independent study or compelling academic project related to your desired major? 
• Did you take a late standardized test after the deadline and your score increased?

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: 

• Were you selected for a significant leadership role? 
• Did you receive community recognition or an award for significant community service? 
• Did you complete a new independent service project that had a significant, positive impact? 
• Did you advance significantly in an activity (sport, music, theater, dance, robotics)?

Extenuating circumstances: 

• Did you or your family experience significant financial hardship, personal or medical issues?
• Did you forget to put something in your application?

If the answer is yes to one or more of the questions above, then you may have evidence to support an appeal. 

HOW TO OUTLINE YOUR APPEAL 

First, describe your significant or compelling new information. It is critical that you provide details. For example, if you received all A’s this semester after being an A/B student, explain how you achieved this. Don’t make the reader guess—fill in the blanks for them. If you coordinated a study group to prepare for tests, for example, explain how and why you did that. You can include more than one item, but be careful to avoid a laundry list. Again, make sure these developments are significant and compelling. 

Second, explain why this information is important. How does this significant information provide evidence that you will be a strong, successful student at UT? What does it show about how you might impact the campus community? For example, perhaps the study group you created not only deepened your understanding of the material, but helped your fellow students too! 

Again, it is very important to be specific. 

Finally, you can show a little Longhorn love—like the fact that you attended a summer program at UT and heard an amazing professor who sparked your interest in a new area or how you haven’t missed a Horns basketball game since you were 10—but remember that the purpose of the appeal is the specific evidence outlined above. Remember, like all college essays, stay confident and positive. 

In addition to the written appeal, you have the opportunity to to include one additional recommendation. Think hard about who can validate the information you are providing as the basis for your appeal—and make sure this is a different person than the teachers who wrote your initial recommendations. Also, be sure to send an updated transcript if that demonstrates improvements or achievements that will help your appeal. 


Click here for more information about appealing an admissions decision from UT Austin.