<p>I have attended grad school for 4 years, had to dropped the fifth year to become caregiver for parent. Tried to reenroll in school recently, but was told my student account was wrote-off. I was also told since I had been away for 15 months I would have to start from square one. The college has received four years of my money, and yes I am infuriated. Should I stick with this college or start over again at another college?</p>
<p>Sounds like more research is needed. For instance, maybe you can get a retroactive temporary leave (why drop if you can take a leave.) I’m not sure the reason matters, just how you go about it. It really is about administrative stuff. Is this a legitimate school or a korporate kollege? If KK, then attorney may be needed.</p>
<p>Also, after 4 years (2 usually) you should have a Master’s, so did you apply for graduation and get that before you left? If yes, then you just start directly to the PhD again if the school will take you again. Otherwise another school ought to if your school is a recognized institution.</p>
<p>It is my assumption that your courses were done and you were just working on a dissertation? Your credits will always be there on your transcript, so I don’t see why you couldn’t re-apply and then just finish up your dissertation since your courses are done. Have you talked to your former advisor? Why didn’t they suggest a leave? </p>
<p>You might also want to look into schools that may transfer your credits…they might only knock a year or so off, but…</p>
<p>…It just hit me, <em>were</em> you a PhD student? Why were you paying for anything? Most PhD programs are funded…if you were in a part-time masters program or something, then I don’t know what to say. But I don’t see how this could have happened if you were in a PhD program since you typically finish up all courses in the first 2-3 years.</p>
<p>Also, did you actually fill out a withdrawal form for the college? Or did you just stop attending?</p>
<p>BrownParent, </p>
<p>yes its a legitimate school (Walden). Retroactive leave sounds like a great idea, I will research that. I was working on my PhD. Thanks for the info.</p>
<p>NovaLynnx,</p>
<p>I received word, my parent had a terminal illness. So I just dropped everything. Periodically I thought of contacting the school, just was not a priority at the time. You are correct, I was working on my dissertation, and no I have not talked with my advisor. He is no longer at the school. </p>
<p>I am still puzzled, I thought you had to pay for a Phd program? I was a part-time student.</p>
<p>No I did not fill out a withdrawal form for the school. I will take responsibility for not following the school’s procedures, I just did not think that the penalty would be so severe.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input.</p>
<p>Walden is a for-profit online school and so are unlikely to accommodate you because doing so doesn’t make them money.</p>
<p>Walden is a for-profit university; I am not really surprised that they are telling you you have to start over. They have you over a barrel - often their credits do not transfer anywhere else, so you either have to start over with them or start over somewhere else.</p>
<p>How are you going to complete your dissertation if your advisor is no longer at the school?</p>
<p>In any case, as someone has already pointed out you may need to retain the services of an attorney. I would try first to see if you can get the retroactive leave; if not, I would see if they would let you reapply and apply those earned credits to your degree. But like the previous poster said, Walden has no incentive to accommodate you because it doesn’t make them any money.</p>
<p>At many (most, depending on the field) non-profit universities, you do not pay for a PhD. You get a funding package that covers your tuition and fees plus a living stipend. The caveat is that most PhD programs cannot be completed part-time, because a PhD is an intensive endeavor that more or less consumes you.</p>
<p>Thestone, I hope you are still around. I think you are going to have to take an aggressive tactic with this institution. It does not help you to admit fault or error in this position. You have to demand to be reinstated and given the credits you earned. I would send a nice, but firm letter letting them know you will follow up if not satisfied, then a proper demand letter with threats, then an attorney letter and suit.</p>
<p>This is a for Profit School and they are only beholden to shareholders. If you have to start over, do not go for one that is For Profit. The credits should transfer, but no school will take them I guess. You should contact your previous advisor and ask him if his new place will, or contact your State U just to see. You will see if the credits are worthless or not.</p>
<p>To clarify: what does ‘account was wrote off’ mean? did you have debt and from whom? Again to be aggressive, they should have never taken any such action without contacting you.</p>
<p>Don’t be embarrased, stay angry and see if you can get out of this with anything to your satisfaction. I’m angry at them too.</p>