Lynn....that truly SUCKS, I agree!
For this reason, one thing I advise with clients is to check in with schools in the winter to make sure that they have all the documents and that the application is considered complete, etc. One might think it is not necessary but these screw ups are not uncommon. One of my D's schools last year had on her online personal page that no audition appointment was made and in fact, we made it online (the only method that school uses) within minutes on the first day that online appointments could be made and I was holding the printout of the confirmation and charge to my credit card! The department had no record of it. Had I not been vigilant to notice this on their webpage and checked, I'd have rightfully assumed everything was all set...which indeed I had done and even made flight reservations. By that time, the audition appointments were full but they honored my D getting her appointment "back" as long as I could fax them the receipt I had printed from the internet when I had made it. So, given all these strories, I think one has to keep on top of checking in with them. I also agree that they should have been apologetic as it was THEIR mistake and it was a COSTLY mistake. At this point, be happy she is going to BOCO
. Also, she may have liked being in sunny Miami but as someone who went to college and grad school in Boston, she is going to have a blast there!
For anyone reading...check in and call schools midway through the admissions process (past when you have sent everything) to double check that all is in order. It can never hurt. These stories are upsetting and I hate to see it happen to anyone unfairly.