Writing a Reconsideration Letter for College (with Sample)
Use this sample reconsideration letter for college as a template for your formal reconsideration request letter.
Last updated on June 18th, 2023
There are many reasons why an applicant to a college or university may be rejected, and not all of them need be final. If the applicant believes that they have extenuating circumstances related to the cause of the rejection, they have the right to send a reconsideration letter to the college admission board or committee and explain why they would like their application to be reconsidered.
If the reason is something that was beyond their control or that they considered unfair, the committee may change their decision and allow the applicant admission. The applicant should find out if there are any terms or conditions connected with the reconsideration of an application before they send a letter. There may be a form that they need to complete and include with the letter.
Be Confident and Respectful
The tone of the letter should be confident and respectful. It must not give the impression that the applicant is indignant or angry because of the rejection. The letter must contain logical arguments or reasons why the applicant should be reconsidered and not include an emotional appeal or any hearsay. The applicant should not say that the rejection letter caused them to become emotionally and mentally depressed.
If the reason is something that was beyond their control or that they considered unfair, the committee may change their decision and allow the applicant admission. The applicant should find out if there are any terms or conditions connected with the reconsideration of an application before they send a letter. There may be a form that they need to complete and include with the letter.
Be Confident and Respectful
The tone of the letter should be confident and respectful. It must not give the impression that the applicant is indignant or angry because of the rejection. The letter must contain logical arguments or reasons why the applicant should be reconsidered and not include an emotional appeal or any hearsay. The applicant should not say that the rejection letter caused them to become emotionally and mentally depressed.
The letter should be addressed to the director of the college’s admissions. If the applicant doesn’t know his or her name, they should look at the college website or call the college to get the name.
Reconsideration Letter
The reconsideration letter should provide details with the documentation to support them as to why the board should reconsider their application. The purpose of the letter should be stated in the first sentence.
Reconsideration Letter
The reconsideration letter should provide details with the documentation to support them as to why the board should reconsider their application. The purpose of the letter should be stated in the first sentence.
The letter should also provide the date of the application as well as the details about why the applicant was denied admission. This will help the admission officer because he or she will have copies of all the correspondence in their hand and not need to look it up.
If the reason for rejection was because of an incident in the past, the applicant should specifically state that they have learned their lesson, and that type of thing will not happen again.
It should be clearly stated in the letter that the applicant is requesting reconsideration for their application. They can give a specific reason why such as the college or university is the top in the country for the applicant’s field of study.
Follow-Up the Letter
The applicant can mention that they will follow-up the letter with a phone call. They can call the admission’s officer about one week after the letter was received. The letter should be written in formal business style and use formal names. No nicknames or informal names should be used. This is a very serious letter and needs to be professional.
Here is a sample reconsideration letter to a college or university to request admission. Copies of any supporting documents should be enclosed as well as copies of the original application and rejection letter. It is not recommended to send original documents. The letter should be sent by certified mail, so the applicant has proof of the date and time the admission’s officer received it.
If the reason for rejection was because of an incident in the past, the applicant should specifically state that they have learned their lesson, and that type of thing will not happen again.
It should be clearly stated in the letter that the applicant is requesting reconsideration for their application. They can give a specific reason why such as the college or university is the top in the country for the applicant’s field of study.
Follow-Up the Letter
The applicant can mention that they will follow-up the letter with a phone call. They can call the admission’s officer about one week after the letter was received. The letter should be written in formal business style and use formal names. No nicknames or informal names should be used. This is a very serious letter and needs to be professional.
Here is a sample reconsideration letter to a college or university to request admission. Copies of any supporting documents should be enclosed as well as copies of the original application and rejection letter. It is not recommended to send original documents. The letter should be sent by certified mail, so the applicant has proof of the date and time the admission’s officer received it.
Sample Reconsideration Letter for College
Applicant’s Name
Applicant’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Admission Officer’s Name
Admission Officer’s Title
University or College’s Name
College’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Name of Admission Officer:
This letter is a formal request for you to reconsider my application to Name of College. My application was declined on DATE, and the reason given was that my SAT scores were lower than what is required by the college for admission.
The scores I included in my application were from DATE. At that time, my father died, and my mother required support and help to get her life back on track. Since I am their only child, I needed to help her at that time and was unable to study properly for the SAT exams.
I knew that my scores were too low, which is why I retook the exam on DATE. I was able to study well and improved both of my scores. My writing section improved from 570 to 750, and the quantitative score improved from 550 to 720. I have understood that my new scores are above the required score for admission. It is my wish to join Name of College because you offer the best program for Environmental Applications, which is my chosen field of study.
Based on these higher scores, and because the lower scores were due to circumstances beyond my control, I am requesting you to reconsider your pervious decision to decline my admission and grant me admission for the next semester.
If you have any questions or would like any more information, I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at [email protected]. Thank you for your kind consideration of my application.
Sincerely,
Signature of Applicant
Printed Name of Applicant
List of Enclosures
By Andre Bradley
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is a reconsideration letter for college?
Answer: A reconsideration letter for college is a written request submitted by a student to an educational institution, typically after receiving a rejection or denial of admission. The purpose of the letter is to appeal the admission decision and provide additional information, achievements, or circumstances that were not initially considered during the application review process.
The goal of the reconsideration letter is to convince the college to reconsider the student's application and potentially reverse the initial decision.
Q: When should I write a reconsideration letter for college?
Answer: You should write a reconsideration letter for college when you have received a rejection or denial of admission from an educational institution, but you believe that there are compelling reasons or new information that warrant a second review of your application. It is important to review the college's policies and deadlines regarding reconsideration letters, as some institutions may have specific guidelines or timeframes for submitting such appeals.
Q: What should I include in a reconsideration letter for college?
Answer: In a reconsideration letter for college, it is crucial to include specific information that strengthens your case for reconsideration. You should start by expressing your gratitude for the opportunity to apply and your continued interest in attending the college.
Then, briefly summarize the reasons why you believe your application deserves reconsideration. This can include new academic achievements, extracurricular accomplishments, personal growth, or any relevant circumstances that were not initially addressed in your application. It is essential to provide supporting evidence, such as updated transcripts, recommendation letters, or certificates, to validate your claims.
Additionally, you can address any concerns raised in the rejection letter and explain how you have taken steps to address them. Conclude the letter by reiterating your strong interest in the college and expressing your hope for a positive reconsideration of your application.
Q: How long should a reconsideration letter for college be?
Answer: A reconsideration letter for college should be concise and focused while still providing all the necessary information. It is generally recommended to keep the letter to one page or less, using a clear and professional writing style. Admissions officers review numerous applications and appeals, so it's important to make your letter easy to read and understand. Focus on the most significant points that support your case for reconsideration and avoid unnecessary repetition or irrelevant details.
Q: Can I send additional documents with my reconsideration letter for college?
Answer: Yes, you can send additional documents along with your reconsideration letter for college. These documents should support the points you make in your letter and provide evidence of any new achievements or circumstances.
Examples of additional documents you may include are updated transcripts, recent test scores, letters of recommendation from new sources, certificates of achievement, or any other relevant documentation that strengthens your case. However, it's important to check the college's guidelines or instructions regarding the submission of additional materials to ensure compliance with their requirements.
Q: How should I format a reconsideration letter for college?
Answer: A reconsideration letter for college should follow a formal and professional format. Begin with a formal salutation, such as "Dear [Admissions Committee/Dean of Admissions]," and use a respectful tone throughout the letter. Use a standard font and size, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in 12-point size.
Ensure that the letter is well-structured with clear paragraphs and proper spacing. Include your contact information at the top of the letter, and end with a polite closing, such as "Sincerely" or "Yours faithfully," followed by your full name and any relevant contact details.
Q: Is there a guarantee that a reconsideration letter for college will change the admission decision?
Answer: No, there is no guarantee that a reconsideration letter for college will change the admission decision. The purpose of the letter is to present additional information or circumstances that may influence the college's decision-making process.
However, the final decision ultimately rests with the admissions committee, and they may or may not reverse their initial decision. It is important to approach the reconsideration process with realistic expectations and to explore other alternative options in case the reconsideration is not successful.
Q: Can I submit a reconsideration letter for college to multiple institutions simultaneously?
Answer: Yes, you can submit a reconsideration letter for college to multiple institutions simultaneously if you have received rejections from multiple colleges. Each letter should be tailored to the specific institution, addressing their unique policies and explaining why you believe you are a strong fit for their program.
However, it is essential to be mindful of the deadlines and requirements of each college and to ensure that the content of each letter is accurate, sincere, and appropriately tailored to the specific institution.
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