April has been a pivotal month in the lives of many De Anza students, as responses from schools in the University of California system have both lifted spirits and broken hearts.

Although transfer admissions data has not yet been fully compiled, “this was definitely our most competitive year yet,” said Stacy Redd, assistant to the director of admissions at UCLA. “We received 15,000 applications for transfer. Last year we got about 13,000, and it’s not as if the number of spots we can offer grows with the applicant pool.”

At UC Berkeley, perennially the most competitive of the UC campuses, the acceptance rate was “near 30 percent for transfers,” said Walter Robinson, director of undergraduate admissions.

UC Santa Cruz also received a record high number of applications, resulting in a record low rate of admission. Out of 5,200 transfer applicants, only 2,110 were admitted.

For scores of disappointed students, one last vestige of hope remains: the appeals process.

Unfortunately, few students who appeal admissions decisions are successful in turning a rejection into an acceptance. “[The success rate] is very low,” said Redd. “Probably less than 5 percent. We perform such a careful admissions process, only special circumstances or incorrect records or changed grades usually have any bearing.”

HOW TO APPEAL

UC Irvine: Send the following items by May 15 in one package: an appeal cover sheet, signed letter stating new or compelling reasons for admission, recent college transcript and applicable documentation. Letters of recommendation are not required unless requested.http://admissions.uci.edu/not_admitted.html

UC Los Angeles: Send a letter by May 23 requesting that your application be considered. Provide documentation of changed grades or incorrectly reported test scores. Letters of recommendation not required, but limit is two.https://www.admissions.ucla.edu/Appeals/Tr.htm

UC San Diego: Call the UCSD Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools at (858) 822-0790. An admissions officer will explain how the decision regarding your application was reached. Send a letter by May 21 requesting that your application be reconsidered.http://admissions.ucsc.edu/apply/upperTransfNotAdmitted.cfm