Admissions appeals


Learn more about our appeal process.

UCI appeals process


Each year, many applicants are not offered admission. If you either have been denied admission to UCI or need an extension on a deadline to apply, you can request an appeal.

Find your appeal scenario


There are several different grounds to appeal an admissions decision. Explore your options to understand what approach best applies to your situation.

  • Appeal to Late Application


    If you did not submit your application for next fall’s enrollment to us during the normal filing period of October 1 – November 30, you need to explain in this appeal why you missed the filing deadline and why our admissions staff should review your late application. If you are a current UC applicant who added UCI as a campus choice after November 30, this appeal also applies. Submission of this appeal does not guarantee your admission to UCI.

    An Appeal to Late Application is due by January 15 and must include the following:

    1. Letter of appeal clearly stating new or compelling reason for appeal consideration, written and signed by the applicant
    2. Recent transcript
    3. Other additional documentation (Letters of recommendation will not be considered as part of your appeal)
    4. Upload your appeal

     

    Once our office receives your appeal, you should receive written/electronic notification regarding your status within four to six weeks.

    Submit an Appeal
  • Appeal to Selection Decision


    Applicants who are denied admission and applicants who are offered but decline a spot on the waitlist are eligible to submit this appeal. If you want the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to reevaluate its decision of your application, you need to submit new and compelling evidence not previously included on your initial application.

    Applicants who accept their waitlist offer by submitting a Statement of Intent to Participate (SIP) will not be considered for an appeal. Submission of this appeal does not mean admission will be granted.

    For a first-year or transfer appeal to have merit, it must bring to light new academic and personal information, as well as information pertaining to extenuating circumstances that had not been present in the application, and that clearly shows the student to be stronger than had been earlier evidenced. Please note: high grades received in the senior year, recently acquired awards, or an increase in activities are not a basis for the reversal of a decision.

    Due to the amount of paperwork received by the office and also the ongoing appeal review process, any paperwork submitted separately WILL NOT be accepted or reviewed. All appeals must be submitted through your UCI Applicant Portal. Letters of recommendation will not be considered.

    First-Year Selection Appeal

    Upload the following items by April 15 and include student name and Application ID number on each sheet of materials submitted:

    1. Letter of appeal clearly stating new and compelling information for appeal consideration, written and signed by the applicant
    2. High school transcript from most recent term; please note the transcript must have course information and grades from fall semester of your senior year and any additional semesters available at the time of appeal
    3. Other additional documentation (Letters of recommendation will not be considered as part of your appeal)

     

    Please upload all documents for review at one time in the UCI Applicant Portal.

    Transfer Selection Appeal

    Upload the following items by May 15 and include student name and Application ID number on each sheet of materials submitted:

    1. Letter of appeal clearly stating new and compelling information for appeal consideration, written and signed by the applicant
    2. College transcript through most recent term for college(s) currently attending; updated list of courses in progress for the current term, if applicable
    3. Applicable documentation: please note that the Office of Undergraduate Admissions may request additional documentation from an applicant, as needed (Letters of recommendation will not be considered as part of your appeal)

     

    Please upload all documents for review at one time in the UCI Applicant Portal.

    Applicants will receive an email communication to check the Applicant Portal for admissions status when an appeal decision has been made. Appeal decisions will be released by June 1 for first-year applicants and July 1 for transfer applicants.

    Please be advised that if the applicant is admitted by appeal after orientation/advising programs have occurred, arrangements will need to be made to attend the programs at a later date. On-campus housing is no longer guaranteed for applicants accepting an admission offer after the initial SIR deadline (May 1 for first-year applicants, June 1 for transfer applicants.)

    Upload Your Documents
  • Appeal to Late Statement of Intent to Register


    Applicants that did not submit their SIR by the SIR deadline are eligible to submit this appeal. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions requires new and compelling information for the reason to recommend an extended SIR deadline for applicants.

    First-Year Late SIR Appeals

    Upload the following items by May 15 and include student name and Application ID number on each sheet of materials submitted:

    1. Letter of appeal clearly stating new and compelling information for appeal consideration, written and signed by the applicant
    2. Updated high school transcript and any applicable official college transcripts from appropriate terms; please note the transcript must have course information and final grades senior year and graduation date, if applicable
    3. Applicable documentation to support case (Letters of recommendation will not be considered as part of your appeal)
    4. Log in to your Applicant Portal to submit appeal

     

    Applicants will receive communication via their email to check their Applicant Portal for admissions status when an appeal decision has been made. Reviews will be completed within four to six weeks and no faxes, emails or incomplete packets will be considered.

    Transfer Late SIR Appeals

    Upload the following items by June 15 and include student name and Application ID number on each sheet of materials submitted:

    1. Letter of appeal clearly stating new and compelling information for appeal consideration, written and signed by the applicant
    2. Updated copy of college transcript(s) for appropriate terms attended; updated list of courses in progress for the current term, if applicable
    3. Applicable documentation to support case (Letters of recommendation will not be considered as part of your appeal)
    4. Log in to your Applicant Portal to submit appeal

     

    Applicants will receive communication via their email to check their Applicant Portal for admissions status when an appeal decision has been made. Reviews will be completed within four to six weeks and no faxes, emails or incomplete packets will be considered.

    View Your Admissions Status
  • Appeal to Admissions Offer Withdrawn


    Applicants that have had their admission offer rescinded are eligible to submit this appeal. To be considered, an appeal must have new and compelling information or other required evidence to support the case for admission to UCI.

    Upload the following items and include student name and Application ID number on each sheet of materials submitted:

    1. Letter of appeal clearly stating new and compelling information for appeal consideration, written and signed by the applicant
    2. Applicable documentation – please note that the Office of Undergraduate Admissions may request additional documentation from an applicant, as needed (Letters of recommendation will not be considered as part of your appeal)
    3. Log in to your Applicant Portal to submit appeal

    Applicants will receive communication via their email to check their Applicant Portal for admissions status when an appeal decision has been made. Be aware, reviews may take up to six weeks to complete.

    Check Your Applicant Portal