Clerical error - Admissions to Stanford PhD engineering program revoked. Is this acceptable?!?

Graduate School
1

<p>This has been bugging me as it is probably the most disappointing thing that has ever happened to me. In January 2014 I received an e-mail from admissions that I was accepted into the engineering program with full funding. I received a formal call from them as well regarding my acceptance. I was very excited about this since Stanford was my top choice. The next day, I received another call that my acceptance was a “clerical error” and that the e-mail was sent to the wrong person. Is this acceptable? Sometimes if I did something wrong… I have never heard of this type of clerical error happening for a prospective PhD student.</p>

<p>I know there is probably nothing I can do, but this is really bugging me and I would like to hear your thoughts.</p>

2

<p>Errors happen. And they fixed it quickly. Disappointing, yes. But if you were thinking they should admit you anyway – no.</p>

<p>Edit. FWIW, you can be sure that someone did lose a night’s sleep over it.</p>

3

<p>It was probably an honest clerical error. It does happen. They called you next day, so there was no opportunity lost on your end, just a huge disappointment for you.</p>