Can I convince UCs to give me a secondary?

[Ubu]

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I just got an email from UCSD saying that "at this period, they have decided against sending me a secondary." Considering that I've only received 1 UC secondary, I am freaking out. If they decide not to give me a secondary now, what will change in a couple of months??!??! They will probably give me a rejection.

I know that my grades are the reason that I am not getting a secondary from most of these schools, but I also believe that if I were to be able to expand on my reasons, etc etc on the secondary, I might have a chance at an interview. I would like some suggestions or stories on how I might persuade them to give me a secondary during their 2nd review of my application. Do I send them lots and lots of letters telling them I want to go to their school? Do I send them tons of updates?? I have a first author publication since submitting my AMCAS but never bothered to update my schools on this. Do I notify them of this and them kiss their a$$ telling them now much I wanna go to their school??? Please help!

 

[periodic]

hey man,

are you sure they will review it later? my understanding is that schools generally only make 1 decision about whether to send a secondary or not. i don't know if ucsd is different.

good luck in any case. did you have something on your amcas about what else kept your grades lower than you would have liked?

periodic

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by periodic
hey man,

are you sure they will review it later? my understanding is that schools generally only make 1 decision about whether to send a secondary or not. i don't know if ucsd is different.

good luck in any case. did you have something on your amcas about what else kept your grades lower than you would have liked?

periodic

yeah i think periodic is right. if they decide not the send you a secondary then they stop reviewing your file i think. i dont know if talking to them will do too much...

i have never heard anything actually asking a school for a secondary so i cant really give you any solid thoughts.

 

[redleft123]

I think you have put the wrong intonation on "at this time." They do not mean "....but we may reconsider later." It was in indirect way of saying "By reviewing all of the applications we have received, we can already tell you at this time that you will not be considered for the 2004 entering class."

Sorry, kiddo.....I remember: it hurts to get those decisions.

 

[Ubu]

well...here is the actual email I got verbatim:

"Your application has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee. At this
time the Committee has decided against sending you a secondary
application. The Committee will review your file for a final time within
the next couple of months."

But doesn't that *sound* like they will look at it again?
oh well..what's the use...you guys are probably right and it means they rejected me. geez..that really hurts. 🙁 So I guess UCSD is now sending out rejections. Maybe I should post that on the "1st rejections" thread...but now I'm too sad to. That's my 6th rejection. me very sad.

 

[tBw]

You should always stay in close contact with your schools. Last year I sent an update to a school and it crossed in the post with their rejection to me. Imagine my surprise therefore when they rescinded the rejection and offered me an interview based on the update...

In addition, over the last few years several people on here have successfully 'appealed' decisions at UC schools. It is a long shot at that stage with a UC but at this stage updating them just costs you a stamp and a little time.

 

[redleft123]

Originally posted by Ubu
The Committee will review your file for a final time within
the next couple of months.

UBU----you dingbat!!!

You left out a very important sentence when you first posted. You never said that they told you they will review again.

So----I'll admit; this is not a very good email to receive. But, there still seems to be a glimmer of hope. It's not over til the fat lady sings....and I don't hear no tunes in the background yet!😉

cheers!

 

[Ubu]

details details.... 😀

I've already settled into a comfortable (yet sad) belief that UCSD will not accept me...but think I'll still pester them a little bit to get the secondary. Thanks for all the help guys! 😀

 

[indiamacbean]

Even if you petition and get a secondary, the chances are slim to none that if they felt like you didn't make the cut for the secondary that they'll want you in their class. The one exception of course would be that you had low grades because you were solving the AIDS crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa or the like. I have a family friend on the ADCOM at UCSF and she says that succesfull petitions for admission are very very rare so I wouldn't waste your time. good luck getting it on final review.

PittMed2007