*rant* Grad school admissions offer rescinded

[SarcasticDwarf]

Apparently the department that I was applying to did not bother to read my transcript before they sent me the offer letter (I say apparently because I am not sure how that could happen). My GPA on my last 64 credits was a 2.78, they request a 3.0. My last 60 credit GPA should be (though I have no way to be sure) above a 3.0 after I graduate at the end of this semester. My cumulative is a 3.08 (I had two bad semesters, one a 2.75, one a 2.5 in the past three years).

Now two weeks after I got the acceptance letter and accepted their offer I get an e-mail stating that they are rescinding their offer because of this. They suggested I enroll as a special status student and re-apply next year. What. The. Fvck. Talk about totally screwing with someone's life. It isn't as if I already declined the offers from the other universities because I had gotten into this one. Oh wait...I did. Because they declined to admit me on probation (which they can do) or ignore it, I suspect I was not a strong candidate in their eyes to begin with so taking three classes will not make a difference.

Talk about really weird. I would expect that such a relatively minor mistake on their part would be something they would ignore. I also find it really odd that they did not catch it until two weeks after they accepted me.

I am NOT having a good week (this is not the first bad news so far).

 

[Phokus]

That sucks... i would argue with them how the screwed you over because you declined other offers after you got an acceptance letter from them. Harass them until they cave!

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Phokus
That sucks... i would argue with them how the screwed you over because you declined other offers after you got an acceptance letter from them. Harass them until they cave!

I considered it. If it was for an undergraduate program I would not care, but I suspect it is a bad idea to piss off the department where you are working on your masters/phd. Assuming they do not change their mind I WILL be writing a letter to someone at every level of the university system.

That said I CAN get into another college, but due to the timing now the only one I can get into is the last one on my list. Oh, and to top it off the orientation is at 8:30 am tomorrow, so I have to skip two classes I can't afford to miss and drive 90 minutes each way. It also means that once I go there I am essentially committed even if they change their mind and allow me in.

 

[S Freud]

Treat like you would trying for a job, harass them till they cave.

I wouldn't think they would get pissed off, just describe what happened because of their mistake. Then start yelling if it doesn't go your way.

 

[Farang]

Care to name the school?

 

[Alkaline5]

As someone who has had to produce paperwork to force an academic department to give me course credit in the past, here is my suggestion:

Try to find out who the Dean of Admissions is, and who the academic chair of the department you applied to is. Let them know of your situation and explain that you will meet the required GPA when this semester ends. Show them as much paperwork as possible.

I'd be surprised if at least one of them won't be a decent person and try to help you.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Farang
Care to name the school?

What I said is the truth as far as I know it.

The school is the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Library and Information Studies.

 

[Nutdotnet]

I'd fight that until my ears bled.

I'd argue that by accepting their offer you lost out on other opportunities. They made the offer, essentially a contract, and you accepted.

It's their bad...

 

[compman25]

Do the librarian.

 

[thirtythree]

I'd definitely contact them about it, including the same information in your original post (though worded differently, of course).

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: thirtythree
I'd definitely contact them about it, including the same information in your original post (though worded differently, of course).

I intend to, the problem is timing here. Basically, my other college option has orientation tomorrow and by going I am committed to going there. That particular college is not near the quality of Madison (imo). So even if they change their mind at some point in the future I probably would not be able to attend.

 

[Parasitic]

You have until 4/15 to finalize your choice. Any decision received before that is not final until past the date. So call or write back to the other school and ask that they disregard the declination and you do firmly wish to enroll in their program.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

What does everyone think of this response:

Thank you for your e-mail.

I have to confess that I am a bit confused by this situation. My records were included with my application and available to the admissions committee at the time of my acceptance. As I received my acceptance letter over a week ago (and submitted my acceptance of the offer) I am now in a bit of a difficult situation. Having accepted your offer and declined those from other institutions I must now attempt to resolve this.

As you mentioned I have an interesting background and work record. Having already been accepted into your program it is clear that I possess the qualities that you desire in students. While I will admit that at times my grades have been below what I would want, I think that overall my record reflects that I would be a strong student.

I would request that the School of Library and Information Studies reconsider its offer of admission.

Thank you,


xxxxxxxx

 

[George P Burdell]

That sucks

 

[Farang]

The e-mail sounds good, but you need to talk to people. If its a possibility, go down there and work your way up to talking to the most senior person there. If that isn't possible, call and do the same thing. Basically be polite and when one person denies you ask to speak to their superior. Eventually the call will reach a dead end when the subordinate will be like 'Uh... well.. unfortunately, at this time, [repeat policy regarding admissions].'

I am not a lawyer and you probably have no case but it might be worth calling one up and seeing what they have to say. However it seems the fault lies with you for denying your other offers before you had sealed the acceptence (either by paying a deposit or waiting for your acceptance of their offer to be processed), and became officially enrolled.

Be civil of course but I wouldn't worry about upsetting the department. The professors have nothing to do with this so it wouldn't affect anything if you ended up attending. You're just dealing with a bureaucracy at this point.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Farang
I am not a lawyer and you probably have no case but it might be worth calling one up and seeing what they have to say. However it seems the fault lies with you for denying your other offers before you had sealed the acceptence (either by paying a deposit or waiting for your acceptance of their offer to be processed), and became officially enrolled.

I don't really see how it is my fault. The issue is that it was 100% a mistake on their part. Waiting until the day classes start to decline other offers is not an option (in fact, the no return date at the other colleges was this week or earlier). It will not even be possible to register for classes at this particular university for at least another 3-4 weeks). I don't intend to sue them or anything (though I will write letters to everyone and their mother).

 

[randomint]

damn that sucks! talk to them. seriously, get on the phone and talk to the dean of the department. do it nice and polite but forcefully. you'd be surprised at how a good talk can sway minds.

make it sound like if they don't take back their decision, then it would have serious consequences on your future and your career.

ask them to re-think their decision!

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Farang
I am not a lawyer and you probably have no case but it might be worth calling one up and seeing what they have to say. However it seems the fault lies with you for denying your other offers before you had sealed the acceptence (either by paying a deposit or waiting for your acceptance of their offer to be processed), and became officially enrolled.

I don't really see how it is my fault. The issue is that it was 100% a mistake on their part. Waiting until the day classes start to decline other offers is not an option (in fact, the no return date at the other colleges was this week or earlier). It will not even be possible to register for classes at this particular university for at least another 3-4 weeks). I don't intend to sue them or anything (though I will write letters to everyone and their mother).

Contact an attorney or even a TV station ? Maybe creating a stink in public will make them change their mind..
The only thing is, they'll probably make your life miserable if they were to admit you after such a fiasco

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Farang
I am not a lawyer and you probably have no case but it might be worth calling one up and seeing what they have to say. However it seems the fault lies with you for denying your other offers before you had sealed the acceptence (either by paying a deposit or waiting for your acceptance of their offer to be processed), and became officially enrolled.

I don't really see how it is my fault. The issue is that it was 100% a mistake on their part. Waiting until the day classes start to decline other offers is not an option (in fact, the no return date at the other colleges was this week or earlier). It will not even be possible to register for classes at this particular university for at least another 3-4 weeks). I don't intend to sue them or anything (though I will write letters to everyone and their mother).

I'm not trying to blame you, it is their fault. I'm just saying from a legal standpoint you might be at fault, because in my experience after acceptence you pay a deposit or otherwise show you're committed, and then you become enrolled. You never became enrolled so it might be your fault that you declined those other offers.

You don't necessarily need to sue, but if a lawyer said you had good legal standing to fight it, you could consider petitioning the decision with their help. The school probably has a process for that sort of thing. If a lawyer says you're SOL, then still try to petition it but know you're at their mercy.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Farang
I am not a lawyer and you probably have no case but it might be worth calling one up and seeing what they have to say. However it seems the fault lies with you for denying your other offers before you had sealed the acceptence (either by paying a deposit or waiting for your acceptance of their offer to be processed), and became officially enrolled.

I don't really see how it is my fault. The issue is that it was 100% a mistake on their part. Waiting until the day classes start to decline other offers is not an option (in fact, the no return date at the other colleges was this week or earlier). It will not even be possible to register for classes at this particular university for at least another 3-4 weeks). I don't intend to sue them or anything (though I will write letters to everyone and their mother).

I'm not trying to blame you, it is their fault. I'm just saying from a legal standpoint you might be at fault, because in my experience after acceptence you pay a deposit or otherwise show you're committed, and then you become enrolled. You never became enrolled so it might be your fault that you declined those other offers.

You don't necessarily need to sue, but if a lawyer said you had good legal standing to fight it, you could consider petitioning the decision with their help. The school probably has a process for that sort of thing. If a lawyer says you're SOL, then still try to petition it but know you're at their mercy.

Sure legally I am going to be in the wrong. I was going along the lines of what is right.

 

[RbSX]

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: SarcasticDwarf

Originally posted by: Farang
I am not a lawyer and you probably have no case but it might be worth calling one up and seeing what they have to say. However it seems the fault lies with you for denying your other offers before you had sealed the acceptence (either by paying a deposit or waiting for your acceptance of their offer to be processed), and became officially enrolled.

I don't really see how it is my fault. The issue is that it was 100% a mistake on their part. Waiting until the day classes start to decline other offers is not an option (in fact, the no return date at the other colleges was this week or earlier). It will not even be possible to register for classes at this particular university for at least another 3-4 weeks). I don't intend to sue them or anything (though I will write letters to everyone and their mother).

I'm not trying to blame you, it is their fault. I'm just saying from a legal standpoint you might be at fault, because in my experience after acceptence you pay a deposit or otherwise show you're committed, and then you become enrolled. You never became enrolled so it might be your fault that you declined those other offers.

You don't necessarily need to sue, but if a lawyer said you had good legal standing to fight it, you could consider petitioning the decision with their help. The school probably has a process for that sort of thing. If a lawyer says you're SOL, then still try to petition it but know you're at their mercy.

Sure legally I am going to be in the wrong. I was going along the lines of what is right.

I dunno but if you're looking at it from the way that the early acceptance works to undergraduate at the states..

If you apply to 3 schools, you accept one, you cannot accept any others even if they come later.

So maybe if hte system works the same way he might have a leg to stand on.

 

[novasatori]

good luck with this, seems that you should be able to convince them
they were the ones who jacked up

 

[Parasitic]

I'm going to say it again: you have until 4/15 to finalize your decision, and any decision essentially made before 4/15 doesnt count.

The April 15 deadline is dictated by the Council of Graduate Schools in "Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants".

Quoted:
The Resolution acknowledges that students, after having accepted an offer, may change their minds and withdraw that acceptance

So call up the other schools that you're interested in and tell them that you wish to recant your declination and to enroll in their program.

edit: URL link:
http://www.cgsnet.org/Default.aspx?tabid=201

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
I'm going to say it again: you have until 4/15 to finalize your decision, and any decision essentially made before 4/15 doesnt count.

The April 15 deadline is dictated by the Council of Graduate Schools in "Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants".

Quoted:
The Resolution acknowledges that students, after having accepted an offer, may change their minds and withdraw that acceptance

So call up the other schools that you're interested in and tell them that you wish to recant your declination and to enroll in their program.

edit: URL link:
http://www.cgsnet.org/Default.aspx?tabid=201

wow, i hope sarcasticdwarf doesn't miss this

 

[Parasitic]

And also while it's fine and dandy that you decide to deal with UWM about trying to get their to retract the rejection really the better thing to do is try to talk to other schools into throwing out you offer to decline admission as damage control. Most selective (to competitive) schools receives hundreds to thousands of applicants that unless you were the absolute BEST or second best candidate they will not go out of their way to work with you, since they have too many others who are willing to give up everything to go there; plus if you did get them to retract that and let you in, you have undoubtedly pissed off an unknown number of people who may have either direct or indirect influence in your graduate career...and it's best not to do that.

I mean, if you pissed off the processing clerk, it might take him an awful long period of time to investigate a "typographical error" on your grades and financial aid packages.