Application issues

[mewtwo]

I'm going to keep names of universities/departments anonymous so to not tarnish any reputations here.

Over a month ago, I applied to some well known University A, hoping to apply for some Program X. Unfortunately, due to a bug in their application system, it did not allow me to select Program X as my intended major (it said that the application period for that program had ended, which was not true at the time), so I sent in my application by selecting Program Y instead (I emailed them about the issue when it cropped up, but they couldn't get back to me before the application was actually due, so I decided it's better to send in something). I sent the admissions department of Program X an email detailing the situation, and they, after clarifying some details, said that they'll try to rectify the problem.

A week after, I sent an email simply asking for a status update, and got an automatic email that their department will be closed until early January. Fine.

Fast forward to early January: their given phone line doesn't work, and the emails simply return automated responses. I tried contacting the person in charge of admissions for Program Y, but she hasn't responded to anything (phone calls or emails). Finally, after a couple of times that I contacted the university's general admissions department, I got an email from the admissions people at Program X on January 5th stating that they're working with the general admissions department to get it fixed, and they'll email me back when they have an update.

Fast forward to today: still no email, I sent an email asking for an update (no response thus far). It's been quite a while since applications were due, and I have no idea if I'm going to be excluded from the admissions process or not. Any suggestions as to what to do? Should I contact some professor in the department, detailing my situation, and ask him/her for assistance in the matter?

Thanks!

mewtwo

Edited January 17, 2011 by mewtwo

[Bukharan]

This is a bizarre situation. I am sorry. I wonder what other applicants are doing? There must be others who tried to apply to the same programme, right, and it is just interesting how they came around the issue.

You could let your professor know. Perhaps, if you feel awkward bothering your professor with such an issue, you can just let him know what happened and what you did and why rather than directly ask for his help/advice.

[MoJingly]

There must be others who tried to apply to the same programme, right, and it is just interesting how they came around the issue.

This was my thought too. How strange this is. If you don't hear back from your last email, I think contacting a professor would be the next appropriate step.

[fuzzylogician]

OP: if you were in touch with someone in the department before you applied, you could try writing them again just so they remember you when the reviewing process begins. However, I doubt a random professor in the department will know how to deal with an error in the application software or will want to spend time learning how to do so. What you are describing is a systemic problem that must have affected the program as a whole, and there must be someone who is dealing with it there - the graduate secretary, the DGS, the dept head. It would make more sense to continue contacting them, in my opinion, and it does sound like they are taking care of the problem - though I understand your frustration with the amount of time it's taking.

[mewtwo]

Strangely, I doubt it's a systemic problem, as Department X at University A is one of the most popular program/university combinations in the sciences, and I haven't seen other such posts here. My best guess is that my application got messed up somehow (possibly because I submitted the application less than 2 hours before the deadline?). I think I'll contact the department head just to ask for advice if I don't get a response by the end of today.

It's beginning to get really frustrating, as just getting this application in by the deadline was a reasonably major struggle (with all of the other things going on in the Fall semester) and now, over a month later, the application (apparently) hasn't even been touched.

Thanks for the help so far, everyone. I appreciate you taking your time.

Edited January 17, 2011 by mewtwo