Is it possible a school won't even tell you if your app is incomplete?

[hopeful80]

I hope this is in the right forum ...

 

I applied to my dream school on Feb 1 and had to transfer over some documents - my GRE scores, transcript, etc. However, the way my undergraduate school formatted filling the address out was kind of funny, and I'm not 100% sure if it ended up going through. My undergrad said of course they sent it out on time, but I'm hesitant to call my school to see if all of my application materials are in - especially since in about 2-3 weeks I find out of I got in or not!

 

I'm obviously being paranoid, but I would seriously kick myself in the head a thousand times if I found out the application had been incomplete this whole time. My GRE scores, online app, and recommendations were all submitted on time (I can see in the online portion), but my transcript had to be sent in manually so I'm not sure ... they never told me it was incomplete otherwise, so I was assuming everything was OK.

 

Then of course nerves kicked in and I began to worry randomly.

 

So with that all said, is it possible that a school will not tell you if you have an incomplete application? Should I email/call to ask? I don't want to bug them, I think the ad comm is making their decisions at this point, but I'm just anxious, that's all ...

[SLPjmar]

If you're really that unsure, I would ask. I thought my entire application to one school was complete. I had sent a recommendation letter via USPS back in November because the recommender did not want to use the online system. I called last week to see why it hadn't matched up with my application yet, as I applied in early January (the deadline was Feb. 1). Turns out, they had put it into a file for people who send some materials, but never actually apply.

 

If I had not called, I am not sure this would have come to my attention. It never hurts to be a little paranoid (but only a little). Good luck. 

[TippyGradHopeful]

I would definitely check! The online system I used to said that all my LORs and files were submitted. However, when I hadn't heard from the University in a over a month, I sent an email just to double check. When the program coordinator wrote back he said I was still missing one LOR. I was so frustrated because it said that it was complete online and had been for months. I sent over a screenshot of the online system I was looking at to him. Turns out it was glitch in their own system that had not picked up my completed application. It was cleared up after that and luckily on the deadline day. 

 

DEFINITELY double check, especially if you're worried. Hope it helps! 

Edited February 18, 2013 by TippyGradHopeful

[hopeful80]

OK I just emailed the lady! Geez I can't believe they wouldn't even tell you if you're stuff's not all in! I definitely put down the right address, but it was staggered because the stupid lines wouldn't allow you to type in more than a few characters at a time, so it ended up looking like this (I had to do this online):

 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE
PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
PITTSBURGH PA 15213

 

Instead of:

 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE PROGRAMS

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
PITTSBURGH PA 15213

 

Ergh ... I sent this back in December too!

 

I'll keep ya'll posted, thanks for sharing your stories!!

[Linelei]

For what it's worth after the fact, I think you did the right thing! I emailed a school because the online application said they were still processing my transcripts over a month after I submitted. Turns out there was a glitch in the system and they thought I was supposed to have another transcript. If I hadn't caught that, they would not have contacted me but just assumed I'd failed to meet the deadline. However, by emailing, it was cleared up right away and my application was marked 'complete.'

[ruud9]

Personally, I believe that a program will not notify you unless you initiate the request. They have hundreds of applications to process and they are with the premise that an applicant will ensure that his/her application is complete. 

 

So, it is better to email/call to check if they have received all materials in time, if the application portal is not showing the desired stuff.

 

Thanks,

ruud9.

[OhMySocks]

Yeah, I had some problems with my UG not sending out 2 of my transcripts. One of the schools notified me, one of them didn't. 

[hopeful80]

The worst part is the application portal does not include the transcript aspect - it shows everything else though, so the online portions are complete.

 

The admissions advisor hasn't emailed me back yet ... this is actually the second time she's ignored me. She used to be really good at responding to my emails but stopped around deadline time.

 

Should I call? If so, when (as soon as possible?)

[SLPjmar]

I would call ASAP.

[hopeful80]

Just wanted to give you guys a little update! Looks like my app is complete - the lady said if it wasn't, they would be calling me to remind me. "No news is good news" - her words exactly.

 

GL with everyone's process! If you're unsure I would definitely recommend calling

[n_psych]

Hmm. I just checked one of my applications and it says "incomplete" although it has been sent for review. The item that shows missing is the final transcript post-acceptance..so this is not obviously required by now. Any thoughts? Thank you. 

[hopeful80]

Hmm. I just checked one of my applications and it says "incomplete" although it has been sent for review. The item that shows missing is the final transcript post-acceptance..so this is not obviously required by now. Any thoughts? Thank you. 

 

Like others have been repeating, I would call or email to make sure. At this rate you can't take any chances with your application, and some schools really won't even bother to tell you otherwise.

[thunderchunky]

Hmm. I just checked one of my applications and it says "incomplete" although it has been sent for review. The item that shows missing is the final transcript post-acceptance..so this is not obviously required by now. Any thoughts? Thank you. 

 

Call to check, but it sounds like if they issue you an acceptance it will be conditional pending your submission of an updated transcript with your final winter grades (assuming you are currently in school).

[n_psych]

Thank you! I e-mailed and everything is okay with my application.