I was accepted EDI and I have no intention of withdrawing my enrollment, nor do I think a computer glitch detracts from the merits of the school. It was an accident, albeit a horrible, horrible one. I can't even begin to imagine how disappointing this must be for all of you, but it really wasn't the admissions office's fault.
Well, perhaps not (though that could be argued--I mean, it certainly was *somebody's* fault!), but the way they are handling it IS their responsibility, and they are doing a far from stellar job. 76 personal phone calls would not have been too burdensome for the admissions staff, and had they done that immediately it would have been a much more professional way to address the problem.
I'm a current Vassar senior, and i just wanted to say on behalf of the students here: I'm really sorry about what happened with the admissions decisions. I remember this being a very tense time when I was in high school, and it's absolutely horrible that you had to experience ups and downs due to a computer glitch.
If you're in, welcome! If not, you're still headed somewhere great, and so sorry again for the ridiculous mistake.
Kareen Troussard, a student in Paris, said the episode might have saved her. "I want to major in computer science," she said in an e-mail, "and Vassar doesn't even know how to use a computer on the biggest day of our lives."
Hahahahaha oh my god I planned on majoring in CS too, this completely brightened my day.
Hi guys, I'm so sorry to hear the horrible news. Fortunately, I've been very sick for the last few days and didn't check my status that early, lol. Glad to see that I'm in now, but sorry for you anyway. Wish you get into a fine school!
Hey prospective students, my heart sank this morning when I read the article in the New York Times, because I acutely remember that feeling. I am a Vassar alum from the class of 2002 and wanted to share my story in the hopes that it can offer a little light at the end of the tunnel.
I applied through the regular admissions process (not early) but my heart was still set on attending Vassar. On the day the letters arrived, I was crushed to learn that I had been placed on the wait list. (crushed, there was sobbing involved)
However, I replied to Vassar and let them know they were still my number one choice, and that I would absolutely attend if they offered me a spot.
A long wait ensued, and it wasn't until early June that I was finally offered a spot in the class of 2002. I won't say that the waiting period was fun, or even pleasant, but in the end it was worth it. If I had given up when I received that wait list letter, I never would have attended Vassar.
So, don't lose hope applicants. If Vassar is still your first choice, let them know now, and keep those fingers crossed for regular admission! Good luck!
um...i don't get it. Early Decision's point is to let them know that Vassar is our first choice. What do you mean If Vassar still is? To whom are you referring to?
This is the worst day ever!
On reading the signed letter that I'm in, my family and I spontaneously decided to celebrate at a resort near town.
I was effectively celebrating while the whole issue went on, and only just read the email that I'm declined, with no available support since admissions office is closed.
Now, I only have a saved letter on my computer as a momento that I was in for that short period of time (yes, I was so excited that I saved a copy of the letter.)
I'm crushed.
Last edited by FrancoisDeLAir; 01-29-2012 at 09:14 AM.
Kareen Troussard, a student in Paris, said the episode might have saved her. “I want to major in computer science,” she said in an e-mail, “and Vassar doesn’t even know how to use a computer on the biggest day of our lives.”
I've been in contact with Kareen. As usual, the NYT twisted the facts.
Kareen's note to me, which she gave permission to post.
Quote:
Oh wow. I hadn't seen it [NYT article]! I have to say that the journalist completely twisted my feelings: I was not relieved to be rejected, not at all. I was completely devastated! I only stated that in my particular situation, it was ironic. My mom is a Vassar graduate, and it was my dream to attend this school and experience the American culture.
If you read other universities admissions blogs, they talk about how they "triple check" everything to be absolutely sure that the right letter gets to the right person. Trust the hippie-dippie culture at Vassar to be supremely unbusinesslike. Unfortunately, because Vassar is a top school, this will resonate for awhile. Seriously embarrassing. And, clearly, the benighted admissions office just turned its back on the crisis -- so much for the vaunted touchy-feely liberal warmth and "supportive" culture. Well now we know that was a fraud from beginning to end, and this incident exposes the time-serving bureaucrats there for the "not my job" groaners they truly are. If the place was what it was cracked up to be, they would have called in the admissions office to work on Friday night or Saturday morning and called each reject up personally (they have the phone numbers on the apps) and apologized. "Houston, we have a problem." Vassar just shrugs. Bad. Bad. Bad.
So sorry to hear of the email snafoo, everyone. It is upsetting for everyone on all sides of the equation for the Vassar ED email (not talking about the above Colby side comments).
I guess I won't be doing any alum interviews this weekend
