School won't admit they misplaced my application!

[NOWAYNOHOW]

I don't want to get TOO specific, but I applied to program X and program X has already sent out all of their notifications, including rejections and wait list information.

I hadn't heard anything, so I figured that maybe they were staggering notifications. I emailed someone in admissions and that person informed me my file was still under review, which struck me as odd considering I know the majority of decisions had already been made. I shrugged it off.

The next day, I saw a post on another blog from a fellow applicant to program X saying that someone in the department had called offering a spot in the program, and had apologized for the delay as they had misplaced a stack of applications and only noticed they had missed these until after all notifications had gone out. They said this would be the final admitted applicant.

I didn't want to assume I was in that stack of misplaced applications, so I politely emailed the person who contacted the other applicant requesting a status update and received no response. When I followed up with my contact in admissions (they had promised to make an inquiry to the department on my behalf) I was informed that they hadn't responded to the initial request. At this point, I have to assume my file is one of the ones that was overlooked during the initial admissions process and is only being reviewed now.

Of course I expect that since program X has already admitted the new class, I will be rejected regardless of the quality of my work. Still, no one will admit to me that yes, my application was misplaced.

Am I jumping to conclusions? Or am I right to ask for my application fee back if I am rejected next week with no explanation or admission of guilt on the program's part?

Normally I wouldn't make a big deal about something like this, but I only applied to this program and am totally qualified to attend! I made it clear to the program that if offered a spot, I will accept...but now I'm stuck in limbo! Help!

[doozer]

I have a feeling you won't get the application fee back. I have spoken with two of the directors where I interviewed and they noted that even though there were many qualified, even over qualified applicants, they could not accept everyone due to funding. Perhaps the best option would be to contact your connection in admission and see if they can provide any insight into your situation.

[wtncffts]

Yeah, there's pretty much no way you're getting your application fee back, but for a minuscule chance that you have a sympathetic department. There's absolutely no way for you to show that your particular application was misplaced; the department has all the cards. They could always say that you just didn't make the cut; as doozer said, many if not most of the hundreds of applicants are 'qualified', whatever that means, and even if you were 'up there', that's still with dozens of applicants for perhaps less than ten spots.

[Jimbo2]

That's too bad. Last year I applied to a school that just took my money, sent me an email that acknowledged they had my application, and that was the last I heard from them. This was a well known school, too.

[lewin]

The next day, I saw a post on another blog from a fellow applicant to program X saying that someone in the department had called offering a spot in the program, and had apologized for the delay as they had misplaced a stack of applications and only noticed they had missed these until after all notifications had gone out. They said this would be the final admitted applicant.

How do you know they didn't evaluate the entire stack of applications and decide that this person was the only one worth admitting? That is, it's ridiculous they misplaced your application initially--though these things happen--but you have no evidence it wasn't reviewed fairly in the end.

Edited March 26, 2011 by lewin00

[NOWAYNOHOW]

How do you know they didn't evaluate the entire stack of applications and decide that this person was the only one worth admitting? That is, it's ridiculous they misplaced your application initially--though these things happen--but you have no evidence it wasn't reviewed fairly in the end.

The graduate admissions coordinator informed me they were still reviewing my file and promised to let me know when a decision is made. The GAC has no reason to lie; if they had rejected me, I would know by now. That makes me think they aren't even done reviewing the stack of misplaced applications! Plus, considering they had already sent out all notifications and THEN noticed the slush pile, it means that the people in that pile were being read against an already-full list of admitted students. They can't just increase their number of admitted students to accommodate a few files that fell through the cracks, because it would skew the number that generally produces their desired yield. It's like if you applied to a program that was already full--your chances of admission are considerably lower because there's just no room for new students.

All I'm saying is that I wish they'd be honest and let me know what is really going on. I don't even care if I get my application fee back. I'd rather get a fair shot then a refund, you know?

[doozer]

I understand that the graduate program messed up however I think its all water under the bridge. There is no way they will admit to misplacing the application because of the potential lawsuits. If this program is your only option perhaps you could contact the director of the graduate admissions and ask to be admitted as a "no award" student. This would give you zero funding but if they actually want you as a student they will accept you that way. Granted you will have to pay for you're own tuition/stipend there are many fellowships/grants you can apply for that will cover those costs. What program are you trying to get into?