Are you hoping to appeal a college rejection? A core objective of Ivy Coach’s college admissions blog is to debunk misconceptions about the admissions process — misconceptions perpetuated by high school counselors, private college counselors, parents, students, the press, and the local sheriff.

Today, we will debunk a misconception perpetuated by a journalist for US News & World Report, the publisher of the most significant college ranking. In a piece that serves as a guide for college admissions appeals, reporter Josh Moody articulates how students whose admission has been denied by colleges can appeal their decisions from these schools. There’s just one problem…

Most Highly Selective Colleges Don’t Have An Admission Appeal Process

There is no Supreme Court in highly selective college admissions, no appeals or circuit courts. That’s right. The majority of our nation’s highly selective colleges do not offer denied applicants the opportunity to appeal their decisions. And yet, if you read Mr. Moody’s piece, you’ll find yourself convinced that such a process exists at many of these institutions.

As Mr. Moody writes, “You didn’t get into your dream school. Now what? One option is to appeal the decision and ask the committee to reconsider. While this effort is akin to hitting the half-court shot at the buzzer to win the basketball game, it’s possible, even if unlikely. Admissions appeals, like half-court shots, occasionally hit the mark. Before launching an admissions appeal, students should know the policy and process in place at their preferred college, experts say. ’Every university has a different policy when it comes to appeals,’ says Brooke Hanson, CEO and founder of California-based SupertutorTV, a college consulting organization. ’The first thing you do is determine what the policy is and if it’s published or not.’ If the appeals policy is not published, Hanson suggests contacting the admissions office for more information.”

The US News & World Report Piece on Admissions Appeals is Misleading

And if you read all that nonsense that we just quoted from the piece in US News & World Report, you are now less informed about the college admissions process. You see, contrary to the words of Mr. Moody and the founder of a California-based college consulting organization whom he quotes, it would be an utter waste of time to contact the admissions offices at Ivy League schools or the majority of other highly selective institutions to inquire about their appeals process — because no such process exists.

A denial is final for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle. That’s right. Final. Every university does not have a different policy when it comes to appeals — most have no appeal process. It would thus be a waste of time to even search for the appeal process to these schools, whether they’re “published or not.” Hint hint: if it’s not published, there is no appeal process!

Yet, while a decision is final for the 2025-2026 admissions cycle, many of these schools’ admissions websites stipulate that you can always apply next year — but that’s next year! They’re not offering an opportunity to appeal their verdict. Their verdict is final, and final really does mean final.

USC, UC Schools, UT Austin Are Exceptions, Not the Rule Among Highly Selective Colleges

We know we’re about to hear from some folks, notably those in California or Texas, who chime in about how the University of Southern California, the University of California schools, and the University of Texas at Austin have appeals processes in place. They most certainly do.

But most highly selective institutions do not. Mr. Moody, indeed, should have made this point in his misleading piece — he had every opportunity to do so, yet declined. Thus, we at Ivy Coach hereby urge US News & World Report to update this piece with this essential, clarifying point.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with an Appeal to USC, UC Schools, UT Austin

All that being said, if you have been denied admission to the Class of 2030 to one of the few highly selective universities with an appeals process, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form. We’ll then contact you to outline our go-forward service.