Sample Letter of Appeal for American university admission
Below is a sample letter of appeal to an American University which I was contracted to write for a local Turkish family. University and company names have been changed.
Ms. Jones
English Proficiency Coordinator
ABC University Summer School
Registrar’s Office
USA
30 April 2012
Dear Ms. Jones,
Although I can reason why I received a rejection letter from ABC University Summer Extension Program, I am extremely disappointed. I knew when I applied that I produced sufficient documentation to qualify to the ABC University Summer Extension Program. I also consider the possible miscommunication that could have arisen.
Since our last conversation with a clerk of the ABC University Admissions Office on 30 April. I have ensured the best representation of my true English proficiency and abilities. Recently, I have attended Koç University, an elite and exclusive private institution which conducts all classes and programs entirely in English by native speaking and fluent instructors. Koç University assures the most qualified students with a strict admission policy reflected in their difficult language testing system. The language testing system and the education of Koç University is also recognized by the London School of Economics through a partnership in which it accepts a significant number of graduates from Koç University. Graduates of Koç University go on to become business founders, CEO, and upper management in the private sectors of science and technology globally.
However, my qualifications go beyond Turkish borders. I boast previous university experience in the United States where I attended the UCLA Summer Discovery program, June-August 2008.
In addition, my family owns and conducts international trade negotiations and management in English through our family business, XYZ Company, where I often help communicating with English-speaking customers. Eighty-percent of our clients use English for all official business. English is the dominant language of my family. I myself am fluent in English at the native speaking level.
Again, we can understand and respect your judgment to deny me admission, but I do hope you will reopen my application file to consider this new information provided. I am tremendously impressed by ABC University Summer Extension Program, and it remains the school I would most like to attend.
Sincerely,
First Name LAST NAME
Molecular Biology and Genetics Summer Programs in the United States
Science and techonolgy are attractive fields of study. Completion of such university programs in Turkey can be supplimented with Summer abroad research and internship programs abroad. Often, science and technology programs in the United States are prefered. The United States hosts the leading scienties and reserch facilities for an education your peers will envy.
At Deniz Yurtdışı Eğitim in Istanbul, recent clients requested information on summer internship programs at Rockefeller University for molecular biology and genetic studies with a special focus on cancer-related studies. I researched and identified the program sought — Rockefeller University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF) –, as well as identified similar programs of interest, Rockefeller Archive Center Summer Internship Program, and a rich database of alternative programs, courtesy of Brown University Department of Biology and Medicine, Office of Biology Undergraduate Affairs. These programs reoccur annually.
You may consider the same programs for your education. Here are the program details:
Rockefeller University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program (SURF)
Quite possible the more impressive option of the Rockefeller programs, SURF offers to undergraduatescutting-edge laboratory research with leading scientists in the field through a 10 week course with a $4,000 USD
stipend (free money for personal expenses). Free housing is provided for students of special circumstance, i.e. foreign students, etc. Students are priveldged to work with leading scientists in a broad range of areas including biochemistry; structural biology and chemistry; molecular, cell and developmental biology; immunology; virology and microbiology; neuroscience; physics; and mathematical biology.
This opportunity, which can’t be beat, boosts the CV more than an internship by legitimizing a student’s claim to knowing their subject and bestows the bragging rights of being an authority through a real-world, hands-on experience your peers and your professors will envy.
Application deadline for Summer 2012 was Feb 1, 2012. Five hundred applicants apply annually, but only 15 students are accepted to the program. We want you in the top 3 percent. We’ll help you get there in 2013.
Rockefeller Archive Center Summer Internship Program
The Rockefeller Archive Center is dedicated to the collection, stewardship, and study of primary documents, photographs, and audio-visual media reflecting the history of the Rockefeller Family and the impact of their philanthropy. The Archive Center offers a Work/Study internship program that grants students access and insight into worldwide developments in medicine, public health, science, the arts, international affairs, social welfare, education, and the social sciences. The Archive Center notes their expectation of students of history, social sciences, international relations, public policy, or art history to be particularly attracted to this program.
This is a work-study internship program available to students eligible to work in the United States. Interns work full-time (35 hours per week) with a $4,000 stipend for a ten-week. Benefits, housing, and transportation are the responsibility of the applicant. The current program begins Monday, June 11 and ends Friday, August 17, 2012.
Applicants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program finishing no sooner than December 2012. Work eligibility must be proven before the date of hire. Application deadline for Summer 2012 was Feb 8, 2012.
Brown University Department of Biology and Medicine, Office of Biology Undergraduate Affairs, Summer Internship Database
If you seek additional or alternative options, Brown University flaunts a breathe-taking database of 710 univiersities, each offering multiple programs, including: Biomedic Research, Clinical/Public Health, Industry, Marine Science, Organismal and Environmental Biology, as well as opportunities for Under-represented Minorities, Special Courses, Opportunities and Internships Abroad, and Misc/Teaching/Journalism for the sciences.
This is a useful and productive online tool. You decide the list generated for your transfer or study abroad planning. Program searches can be narrowed to find such specifics as: Tuition required; paid positions, some with room and board; stipend, some with free room and board; Room and board provided, volunteer, Work/Study, and course credit offered. It’s easy to use, there are only two drop-down menus and a search button, and in seconds you get a clearer picture of where you can take your degree program.
Within the U.S., the East coast options are the most popular, as they are nearest to Turkey and therefore cheaper than studying on the West coast, although the West coast offers impressive science and technology programs with competitive education systems. The Brown University Department of Biology and Medicine Summer Internship Database will include all regions in your search. The Rockefeller research and work internship programs are located in New York City, New York.
At Deniz Yurtdışı Eğitim, we’ll help you plan and prepare your research abroad at any location according to your interests. Deniz Yurtdışı Eğitim partners with consultants from the United States, Europe and more to bring you the best information available.
US Embassy Ankara: Message to U.S. Citizens #4
Here it is! The newest Turkish law enacted regarding foreign residents of Turkey. Below are the rules and penalties.
Embassy of the United States of America
Ankara, Turkey
January 24, 2012Message to U.S. Citizens #4
NEW MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR FOREIGNERS IN TURKEY
Effective January 1, 2012, the Turkish government implemented a mandatory health insurance law called the Social Insurance and Universal Health Insurance Law (UHI). It applies to foreigners who have resided in Turkey for more than one year as of January 1, 2012. All U.S. Citizen and foreign residents in Turkey have until January 31, 2012 to register at their nearest Social Security Provincial Directorate Office (Sosyal Guvenlik Il Mudurlugu). Those who fail to register by January 31, 2012 will be fined.
Exactly how this new law applies to U.S. Citizens and the foreign community is difficult to interpret. The English wording of the law can be found here <http://www.sgk.gov.tr/wps/
wcm/connect/1513fcb9-6954- > .42f1-9711-1708b08ff3a0/SOCIAL_ INSURANCE_AND_UNIVERSAL_ HEALTH_INSURNCE_LAW.pdf?MOD= AJPERES Some of the key provisions of the law are as follows:
1) First, registration appears mandatory:
“[foreigners]… shall be deemed to be universal health insurance holder as of the date they complete one year residence period in Turkey and they shall be registered with a universal health insurance entrance notification to be submitted within month from this date” (Article 61, item c). It also mentions that fines will apply if the entrance notification is not submitted within the one month time frame. The amount of the fine is not specified.2) Even if you already have health insurance that covers you in Turkey it appears that you will still be required to enroll. If you are not Turkish, and you have a Turkish residence permit, and you are “not insurance holders under legislation of a foreign country”, you are – by legal definition – a holder of Universal Health Insurance (Article 60, item d) and you are obliged to pay premiums (Article 87, item b).
There are several different interpretations of “not insurance holders under legislation of a foreign country” – specifically with regards to whether private health insurance, or travel insurance qualifies – and therefore exempts you from the UHI law. The phrase “under legislation of a foreign country” implies a national health insurance plan. In the United States Medicare qualifies as a national health insurance plan but Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the United States. To learn more about Medicare coverage areas please click here <http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/
app/answers/detail/a_id/588/ > . As a result, even if you are enrolled in Medicare in the United States you would still need to enroll in the Turkish UHI by January 31.kw/medicare%20coverage% 20outside%20the%20u.s 3) This law appears to apply to any foreigner residing in Turkey for at least one year, regardless of whether or not they are employed. There doesn’t appear to be any clarification in the English wording. However, the absence of such wording in the definition in the English version (Article 61, item c) seems to imply that the UHI law applies regardless of work status.
The U.S. Embassy in Turkey strongly recommends that U.S. citizens contact their local Social Security Provincial Directorate Office (Sosyal Guvenlik Il Mudurlugu) as soon as possible to get further information and avoid the fine.
The information presented above is based on our best interpretation of information gathered up to January 24, 2012. Unfortunately, we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of this information. The information is provided as a guide and you should seek more information at your local Social Security Provincial Directorate Office (Sosyal Guvenlik Il Mudurlugu).
For more information please visit the “Living in Turkey” section of the U.S. Embassy’s American Citizen Services website. The “Living in Turkey” section of the website is currently under construction but will be available by the end of the day on Wednesday, January 25.
Contact information for the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Turkey:
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel: (90)(312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. The Internet address is http://ankara.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Uçsehitler Sokagi No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102. Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate’s web site athttp://istanbul.usconsulate.
gov/ .The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. tel: (90)(322) 346-6262, fax (90)(322) 346-7916, web site:http://adana.usconsulate.gov.
The Consular Agency in Izmir can be reached at tel:(90) (232) 464-8755, fax (90) (232) 464-8916.
Good thing I’m friends with a cop. 
To the rest of you out there: Stay safe!
NEW Turkish Visa Requirements for Foreign Non-Residents
The word round expat circles is that the Republic of Turkey has changed its rules and regulations for foreign persons residing in the country without a resident permit.
To everyone who doesn’t already have a Residence Permit in Turkey, you may (or may not) know that the rules are changing. In the past, you were able to apply for your residence visa and overstay your tourist visa until your interview date. It has come to my attention today that the advice from the POLIS is that you DO your visa run before the end of February.
This ruling comes under Turkish Law No.5683, concerning the Law on Residence and Travel of Foreigners in Turkey. Visitors will be allowed to stay for up to 90 days only, within a 180 day period. [SEE HERE]
The list of nationalities who will be able to apply for residency has not been finalized yet, therefore your application MAY be void.
A five-year ban is already applied to individuals violating their visa. Be careful. Obey the rules. Don’t get stuck guys and girls…
How to make Starbucks Shaken Passion Tea
Here’s a recipe Starbucks Shaken Passion Tea. The secret is Starbucks Classic Syrup which can be purchased at any Starbucks.
- Brew your tea Tizo Passion Tea
- Put about 4 oz Tizo Passion Tea in a Starbucks grande cup with 2 oz of water and ice
- Put three pumps of the classic syrup
- Shake to mix.
Francesc Ruiz: On the Trail Again
Francesc Ruiz must be up to something. His name increased Let’s Get Naila! viewer numbers by 200 impressions this past week, earning the “Francesc Ruiz” keyword an Average Position Change of 100 on Google Webmaster Tools. His name effects Let’s Get Naila! stats because I wrote an article on Francesc Ruiz: The Paper Trail for Al Ahram in November 2010 and list that article on my portfolio. After discovering increased web searches for his name, I searched his name myself and found exciting updates for a follow up report.
Francesc Ruiz exhibits at Galeria Estrany De La Mota in Barcelona, Spain 14 December 2011 – 25 February 2012.
FRANCESC RUIZ
“The Yaois”
14 December, 2011 – 25 February, 2012
Through different groups of images, Francesc Ruiz applies the logic of yaoi (homoerotic parodies produced and consumed by women) to subvert different cultural constructions, from well-known characters of the comic world (Donald), art (Lichtenstein) or music (The Smiths) to areas such as sport, politics and religion, building a complex grid of possible relationships.
Horray! Another reason on my list for why to visit Spain.
Galeria Estrany De La Mota is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30h-14.00h i 16.00-19.00h.
galeria@estranydelamota.com | ptge. Mercader, 18. 08008 Barcelona | tel. 93 215 70 51 fax. 93 487 35 52
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More Images:
Ron Paul Revolution in Prague (Czech Republic)
Shortly after Ron Paul’s scandal over a racist newsletter, my friend spotted a “Ron Paul rEVOLution” poster on a overpass in Prague, Czech Republic.
What do you think of this photo? Please post your comments below.
NEW ARTICLE: Turkish air strike leaves dozens of teenagers dead
It was just last night that a couchsurfer and I were discussing the Kurdish conundrum in southeast Turkey. Last night, the Turkish military struck an area known for border smuggling, where civilians, including children and teenagers, transport needed fuel, cigarettes and diesel from Iraq to needy villages in Turkey.
Read more from my article on Bikya Masr. 2011/12/29
Better Translations with Google Translate Now
One of the first things an English speaker can learn abroad is never trust Google Translate. Trust me, I learned the hard way. This also was entirely avoidable.
For six years, I’ve studied Arabic. Good for me. I can use it in the Middle East and get by just fine. I never needed Google Translate for most things, only for small words or translation suggestions for clarification. If anyone mentioned that Google Translate was bad, it never registered in my mind. In fact, I was probably recommended Google Translate more times for the above mentioned than I was warned. Had any serious complications arose, I could have learned from them and avoided the situation in Istanbul. I didn’t.
Here’s what happens in Google Translate. Like many English speakers, many Turkish people don’t use proper spelling, grammar or punctuation in writing. In fact, I’m
Period.
certain a few too many Turks have typed for me multiple sentences without using periods. Imagine the mixup Google Translate produces! Now imagine the difference after insisting the person typing insert periods where necessary. Oh. my. god.
You must learn from this. Never trust Google Translate. If anything, use it only as a guide. There are plenty of better Turkish-English translation services online to choose from, such as Tureng.com … and another one I forget. But if you’re really desperate and can only remember Google Translate, like me, try to remember the period. Also, small sentences children use. (Google Translate ain’t too bright.) These will make a HUGE difference. Then you won’t end up like me.
REVIEW
- Use a period.
- Use simple sentences.
NEW ARTICLE: Swedish university plans development of Egypt’s Garbage City
Earlier this month, Bikya Masr published my newest article and recent coverage of Garbage City, also known as Manshayit Nasr.
Mr. Hana Fathy Rostom, Director of Solar Cities of Cairo, contacted me directly with news of his activities and the research of Umeå University architecture students.
Swedish university plans development of Egypt’s Garbage City
Umeå University in Sweden has teamed with Solar Cities Project of Cairo to explore which role architecture can play in developing living standards for communities in Manshiyet Nasser, or “Garbage City.”
This is my second article covering Garbage City and Solar Cities of Cairo. The first titled ‘Solar Cities: Cairo’s Green Project‘ was published by Cairo360.
Both articles were top rated the week of their release. The article on Bikya Masr was promoted on the front page of the news site, while the article on Cairo360 was the most read article for the week of 12 March 2011. [img]
It is my pleasure and dedication to serve the Zabaleen (garbage collector) community. I eagerly await the newest developments from Manshayet Nasser and look forward to updating you with another headline.
For more information, to tour Manshayet Nasser, or to volunteer with Solar Cities, contact Mr. Hana Fathy at hanafathy@rocketmail.com. Visit their blog for more information.