Here is a letter that I wrote but never needed to send to the university after I found out (a couple of months after it was written) that the Admissions Office has successfully applied for UChicago to become a Davis UWC Scholars institution. But it's one of those formal letters (the first one of its kind that I've ever composed) that I'm very proud of.

***

To whom it may concern:

We are current second-year students at the University of
Chicago. Having studied at the College for a little over one
year, it has come to our attention that due to limited
resources, the University of Chicago presently does not offer
financial aid to international students. Nor is it part of a
well-endowed foundation that provides scholarships that is
also open to foreign students.

We understand that this issue is not just isolated at our
University. However, by financially discriminating
international students (the majority who choose to study
overseas), the University undermines its efforts to increase
global diversity. Having been educated in an international
environment, interacting with peers from different parts of
the world, we have experienced first-hand the invaluable and
self-defining experience such an environment brings, and along
this parallel - the presence of international students on
campus is not only an opportunity for these students to
benefit and enjoy the academics of this University, but also
enriching that of the American student.

With regards to this we invite the University of Chicago to
become part of the Davis UWC Scholarship movement. Before we
continue further, we would like to introduce ourselves. We are
a group of United World College graduates now studying at the
College. The transition from high school to university has
been met with challenges, but nonetheless blending into a
college experience that has become highly rewarding,
self-sustaining, as well as an immense joy.

We are grateful that not only did we received an international
education but that we have the opportunity to pursue our
higher education at this fine institution. We also wish to
continue the UWC spirit in our future endeavors and
aspirations. It is our hope that the University of Chicago be
made more possible and accessible for future UWC graduates.
One possible way is for the University to become a Davis UWC
Scholars institution. In case you have not heard of the United
World College movement, it is a confederate of twelve schools
located around the world whose mission statement is to educate
young men and women to become socially aware and responsible
citizens. Shelby Davis, well-known businessman and
philanthropist, impressed by the values of a UWC education,
has committed to fund UWC graduates to attend colleges across
the United States, thereby promoting and extending these very
ideals. The Davis UWC Scholars program has since grown to
embody more than a scholarship fund for a particular group of
high-school graduates. More information about the Davis UWC
Scholars program (and its origins) is available on the
website: http://www.davisuwcscholars.org/html/about-story.html

By becoming a participating institution of the Davis UWC
Scholars Program, the University of Chicago becomes part of 76
(and counting) institutions across the country committed to
bringing outstanding students and excellent educational
institutions together. In turn, students who matriculate at
our institution go on to establish themselves as motivated
individuals and global citizens, playing an active role
(including cross-cultural understanding) within the college
community and beyond. With warm regards and sincere wishes we
ask that the University of Chicago seriously consider this
wonderful opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

[my name-

University of Chicago - Class of 2010, UWCSEA Class of 2006