Admissions Appeal Procedures

Supplemental to University Policy 207, Policy on Admission to the University

Updated May 31, 2021; July 19, 2021

Admissions Appeal Procedures

I. Undergraduate 

The following procedure is for undergraduate applicants who are denied admission (appeals for applicants denied admission based upon a criminal  background or other disciplinary action should refer to Section III below):

1. A denied applicant who wishes to challenge the denial must first request a second review on the merits by the Admissions Advisory Committee (AAC).  Requests for review, including any additional materials the applicant desires to submit, must be received in writing prior to the term for which the applicant is seeking admission.  If there is insufficient time to complete the review before the beginning of the term for which the applicant seeks admission, the AAC may decline to perform the review.  The AAC will complete a holistic review of the student’s credentials, including any additional materials the applicant submits, and will render a decision in writing to the applicant within ten (10) business days (excluding weekends and University holidays) following the meeting of the AAC at which the review takes place. 
2. If an applicant is denied admission by the AAC, the applicant may appeal the AAC’s decision, but only on the grounds that the denial was based on a violation of Section II of the Admissions Policy.  The applicant’s appeal must be in writing, must set forth with specificity the grounds for the appeal, and must be directed and delivered to the Associate Provost for Enrollment Management for all undergraduate applicants.  Upon receipt of the appeal, the Associate Provost will review the applicant-appellant’s file and appeal letter.  The Associate Provost will communicate their decision to the applicant-appellant in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the appeal.

The appeal must be received in writing prior to the term for which the applicant is seeking admission.  If there is insufficient time to complete the appeal process before the beginning of the term for which the applicant seeks admission, the Associate Provost may decline to review the appeal. 

II. Graduate

The following procedure is for graduate applicants [1] who are denied admission:

1. Admission of graduate students is the responsibility of the Dean of the Graduate School with the advice and assistance of the Graduate Council and of the graduate faculty members of the departments, programs, and curricula authorized to offer graduate degree programs.

Graduate applications for admission are referred to the appropriate department or program once completed by the applicant.  The Graduate Program Faculty provide a holistic review of each application, and must consider not only academic qualifications but the applicant’s interest and experience relative to the program and the capacity of the program.  The Graduate Program Director then makes recommendations to the Graduate School to admit or deny an application.  If the recommendation is to admit the applicant, the Associate Dean of the Graduate School reviews the application file to ensure that the appropriate procedures have been followed and that the applicant meets the minimum criteria for admission as stated in the Graduate Catalog.  This process ensures that all applications to graduate degree programs undergo two (2) levels of review prior to an admission decision.

2. If an applicant is denied admission to the Graduate School, the applicant may appeal that decision, but only on the grounds that the denial was based on a violation of Section II of the Admissions Policy.  The appeal must be in writing, must set forth with specificity the grounds for the appeal, and must be directed and delivered to the Dean of the Graduate School.  Upon receipt of the appeal, the Dean will review the applicant-appellant’s file and appeal letter and will communicate their decision to the applicant-appellant in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the appeal. 

Appeals must be received prior to the term for which the applicant is seeking admission.  If there is insufficient time to complete the appeal process before the beginning of the term for which the applicant seeks admission, the Dean of the Graduate School may decline to review the appeal.  

III.        Pre-Admission Safety Review

The following procedure is for any applicant denied admission after a Pre-Admission Safety Review:

• The applicant may appeal the denial of admission only on the grounds that the denial was based on a violation of Section II of University Policy 207, Policy on Admission to the University.  
• The appeal must be in writing, must set forth with specificity the grounds for the appeal, and must be directed to the Associate Provost for Enrollment Management (for all undergraduate admission) or to the Dean of the Graduate School (for graduate admission, graduate readmission, or post-baccalaureate admission).  
• Upon receipt of the appeal, the Associate Provost or Graduate Dean will review the applicant-appellant’s file and appeal letter and will communicate their decision to the applicant-appellant in writing within thirty (30) calendar days.

Appeals must be received prior to the term for which the applicant is seeking admission.  If there is insufficient time to complete the appeal process before the beginning of the term for which the applicant seeks admission, the reviewing official may decline to review the appeal.  

[1] For purposes of this procedure, graduate applicants seeking readmission and post-baccalaureate applicants are subject to the Graduate applicant appeal procedure.