F*$!, I've just found out my application is incomplete!

[Clay Made]

Guys, I've been working abroad in Israel for the past month and I've found out today that ETS still haven't sent across my GRE scores! My application was fully complete for all the deadlines - Yale, SAIS, Chicago Harris, MSFS, and having taken the test, I just waited to hear back. And I finally got an email the other day, that my application is incomplete.

With the time difference, its been incredibly hard to contact ETS (took the test in London), and my emails have been unanswered. I've contacted my schools but I'm not sure what to do right now. Is my application likely to be thrown out? I'm really distraught over this.

[PrincetonOrBust]

To be honest, it is likely that most decisions have been made at this point, at least preliminarily. If you self reported your scores, my guess is that they would consider those while waiting for the official scores to come in. In that case, you may still be ok if you can get official scores to them in a hurry.

However, there are definitely some schools that just flat out won't begin to consider an incomplete application. I don't know if your schools are in that lot, but if so, I think you're boned, as I said, because most decisions are probably already made by now.

The schools will probably give you more guidance, but I'm not sure there is much you can do besides get scores in asap. Good Luck.

[mellowyellow03]

Do you have a receipt saying that you sent the scores? I got an email from UPitt last week telling me that my official GRE scores were missing and I had until March 1st to send it (app deadline was Feb 1). I had the email receipt from ETS and sent it to Pitt. They took care of things on their end and they said my app was now completed and ready for review.

[Clay Made]

Do you have a receipt saying that you sent the scores? I got an email from UPitt last week telling me that my official GRE scores were missing and I had until March 1st to send it (app deadline was Feb 1). I had the email receipt from ETS and sent it to Pitt. They took care of things on their end and they said my app was now completed and ready for review.

I'm not sure. ETS have been a nightmare to get a hold of and with the time difference, its to be expected. I guess I can check for that, thanks.

[espresso_eyes]

Good luck, Clay Made...I hope it works out and that the adcom ppl will consider your case..are there any schools listed on your score report when you view your scores online?

[Clay Made]

Good luck, Clay Made...I hope it works out and that the adcom ppl will consider your case..are there any schools listed on your score report when you view your scores online?

Yes. All the schools I requested my scores to be sent to. That's the confusing part. I'm going to have to wait to get ETS on the phone. I really cant believe this is happening to me.

[K.Ash]

If you can get the score report into a PDF or other easy to access format, I'd send it along to the admissions email accounts at each school explaining that you're out of the country, had your score report showing that your results were being sent, and only just heard that this had not been done. you're looking to have official reports sent ASAP but hope this will be sufficient in the interim.

good luck, I can only begin to imagine how frustrated you must feel.

[florating2012]

Guys, I've been working abroad in Israel for the past month and I've found out today that ETS still haven't sent across my GRE scores! My application was fully complete for all the deadlines - Yale, SAIS, Chicago Harris, MSFS, and having taken the test, I just waited to hear back. And I finally got an email the other day, that my application is incomplete.

With the time difference, its been incredibly hard to contact ETS (took the test in London), and my emails have been unanswered. I've contacted my schools but I'm not sure what to do right now. Is my application likely to be thrown out? I'm really distraught over this.

Clay Made, I would suggest you write emails to ETS ( so you do not need to wait till ETS working hours.) Normally, it takes 2-3 business days for ETS to reply. I tried it.

Another advantage is that writing in email is one kind of proof! I called ETS to deal with my score sending issues but they did it wrong. I had no evidence to prove they made a mistake since it was calling.

Also, you may ask ETS if your school is one of schools accept electronic scores. This way, it makes the process quicker.

Hope it helps! Good luck!

[mellowyellow03]

I've also emailed ETS before. It took them a couple of days, but I did get a reply.

[KJ90]

Same thing happened to me with SAIS. I called them and was told to send a send a electronic version until a new hard copy is received.

[clover123]

I had the same thing happen to me! but don't freak out. I just called ETS and the school (UMASS), and they took care of it. Apparently ETS had sent the scores but UMASS had lost them. But I got it sorted out yesterday. Most schools are still making their decisions so don't worry. Anything can happen

[washdc]

When did you take the GRE? Most of the schools are kind of unsympathetic because they say in the applications to allot for a lot of time in between taking the GRE and them receiving the scores..

Otherwise, obviously this is an emergency, you need to wake up, regardless of the time, regardless of how many hours it takes to get ahold of them - to speak with ETS on the phone. They answer right away.

And speak with each school individually.. if they won't consider incomplete applications there might still be time to get on the wait-list. But set your alarm clock and wake up to get on the phone!

[charlotte_asia]

At this point, being as proactive as you can is critical. I would call, email, fax ETS until I reach someone, regardless of the time it is in Israel. As soon as business hours open in the US, I would call each school personally and tell them the steps you have taken to ensure the scores arrive. As a previous poster suggested, scan and email to them the hard-copy of the receipt ETS sent you confirming the scores were sent. One school misplaced my ETS scores and once I sent them the scanned copy confirming they were sent they were able to identify it was misplaced on their end and quickly rectify the situation on their end.

I am sorry this happened and hope it can be resolved quickly!

[Clay Made]

SAIS have told me to take a hike. This despite me showing them my PDF score file and the date when I requested my scores to be sent via screenshot of my ETS page. Can't believe they would treat me that way.

[clover123]

I'm so sorry!

Did you hear back from the other schools?

[Clay Made]

The others appear more receptive, which is perhaps a good thing. But SAIS was one of my top choices.

[rose1]

I'm really surprised SAIS said that to you - everyone knew that GRE reporting was going to be delayed this year and most schools have seemed really accomodating about it. I'm sorry that happened. It was totally out of your control :-(

[domnulsl]

Yo, sorry this crap happened! I would try to contact SAIS again, hopefully getting another response from a different person. If SAIS is one of your top choices then hopefully they would understand.

[washdc]

Wow.. I can't believe SAIS is like that. Agree with the other poster, try contacting someone else in the department.

[michael_scott_14]

My advice would be to find the e-mail from SAIS with your application status - I got one a few weeks after the deadline saying my app was complete and under full review. In the auto e-mail generated after you submit your app it says they'll contact you directly with your status - if you can prove they read your app as complete and never flagged a problem for you, you might be in much better shape. Alternatively, if they told you to submit additional documents you'll have a harder time getting them to change their minds.

Good luck though! I experienced a similar issue with late transcripts from abroad and it was horrifying...I completely understand how you feel.

[charlotte_asia]

When I submitted my SAIS application I received an emailing saying that I should receive confirmation soon that all documents in my application were complete. That email told me if I didn't hear anything, I needed to follow up.

One week after I applied to SAIS I received an email saying "SAIS Application COMPLETE." Did you receive this? If so, there is no reason you would be expected to know (and be held accountable for) the fact that your GREs didn't make it there.

If you didn't receive the "Application Complete" email, did you follow up with the admissions office?

If you did everything in your power to ensure all LORs, GREs, etc reached their office, perhaps it is worth trying contacting them again, as a pp suggested. Good luck, I have my fingers crossed for you

Edited March 2, 2012 by charlotte_asia

[Clay Made]

Thanks for all the kind words. I received one email to say my application was incomplete before I went to Israel on 01/15 and I contacted SAIS to ask whether my scores have been received. They responded no and said if you've sent them across, they anticipate its arrival. I didnt give it another thought and I suppose it was my fault for not checking my email more regularly. But no, I never received a 'completed application' email. I only saw another email dated 02/14, recently I might add, that said my application is still incomplete.

I sent across another email to SAIS, begging almost and attaching a PDF copy of my scores and a screenshot of my test date, but theire response was:

At this point there nothing more we can do. The deadline was January 7^th and we tried to help all of our applicants get their materials in up until mid February.

Regards,

Bahar

Office of Admissions

The Johns Hopkins University

Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies

1740 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20036

He cc'ed a few others to prevent me checking with others I guess. Its such a shame, and I'm pissed at ETS. I ought to demand my test fee back.

[Helpplease123]

Thanks for all the kind words. I received one email to say my application was incomplete before I went to Israel on 01/15 and I contacted SAIS to ask whether my scores have been received. They responded no and said if you've sent them across, they anticipate its arrival. I didnt give it another thought and I suppose it was my fault for not checking my email more regularly. But no, I never received a 'completed application' email. I only saw another email dated 02/14, recently I might add, that said my application is still incomplete.

I sent across another email to SAIS, begging almost and attaching a PDF copy of my scores and a screenshot of my test date, but theire response was:

At this point there nothing more we can do. The deadline was January 7^th and we tried to help all of our applicants get their materials in up until mid February.

Regards,

Bahar

Office of Admissions

The Johns Hopkins University

Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies

1740 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20036

He cc'ed a few others to prevent me checking with others I guess. Its such a shame, and I'm pissed at ETS. I ought to demand my test fee back.

Was your ETS page showing the scores as reported to these schools? Did you send them a screenshot of that?

[adollarninetynine]

wow, i feel bad for you man. it is easy to assume organizations will operate efficiently enough to do basic things like sending scores on time and such. you will still probably have some good options despite SAIS so keep your head up.

[piquant777]

this is truly horrifying Clay Made, so sorry. I'm sure you'll get into other great places and I would def follow up pronto on the rest of your scores to other schools. What was ETS's explanation for this gross oversight?! Agreed though that a screen shot of you having sent the scores will be more helpful (with ETS and maybe with schools if it's not too late for them) than the date you took the test, since it is still your responsibility to make sure the score reports are ordered to the schools you want even if you take it on time.

[Edit: read back in the thread and it seems you did the former already. That is ridiculous! ]

Edited March 3, 2012 by piquant777