Note: RSI = Research Science Institute program.
So I just finished getting all my application filled out, writing all my essays, getting all my recommendations, and finally I clicked the “Submit” button and let out a sigh of relief.
But when I finally submitted it, I was given no prompt for that $60 application fee I was supposed to pay. So I scoured around the CEE website and all the fine print to see where I could pay up.
Apparently, I’d chosen the wrong payment option.
All this GiveDirect and Slideroom jargon, I had understood none of it (and still don’t quite understand it), so I selected the “Secure credit/debit card payment via www.slideroom.com” option in the drop-down menu at the very end of the application because I knew what that meant. It then gave me another option to confirm I would pay, so I clicked the check box. Except apparently, I read in the fine print that that option was for ANOTHER application, and they just give you that option as a choice just for kicks. Apparently, you were supposed to select another option, pay the $60 first through some website, and put down the transaction ID from that in the application itself before finally submitting it.
And of course, since I’ve already submitted it, I can do no such thing.
Now, I refuse to believe that I’ve had all my essays written, had those essays proofread by my amazing college counselor, and had three teachers at my school be generous enough to write me recommendations… All so none of it wouldn’t even matter at the end because I didn’t understand CEE’s logistical jargon about how to properly cough up $60.
So I guess my question is: How should I proceed? How should I clear up the misunderstanding with the RSI folks and pay the $60 for my application to be considered?