Unintentionally messed up Early Decision application, now Regular Decision, help?

Applying to College
1

<p>Backstory: I’m homeschooled. I sent of the ED II package to Reed College last December, a few days before the deadline. I made absolutely sure it had everything in it: transcripts, letters, forms, ED contract, everything.</p>

<p>Fast forward to earlier this month, when decision are to be mailed. I haven’t received my letter. Thinking it could be due to the huge snowstorm, I don’t make a fuss, until the snow is all melted and I am letter-less. I call the admission department, and after leaving a message once, I call them again. It took going through three people to figure out why I hadn’t gotten it: I didn’t have a letter of recommendation. Like hell I did, it was in the package. No, they wanted a second one. Wait, what? This wasn’t on the website. No one told me this. But okay, I figured I could fix this, so I emailed my art teacher and asked her to send one down the line ASAP. </p>

<p>That was last week. It still isn’t in their database. I write the admission coordinator and ask if it was received. She casually tells me that, no, it hasn’t been entered into their database, but not like it matters, SINCE I’VE BEEN DISQUALIFIED FOR EARLY DECISION ANYWAY. I’m now a “regular freshman”. Anyone who knows Reed, knows that your chances for getting in regular admission is abysmal compared to Early Decision. And being homeschooled, I feel my chances are much worse off compared to normal high school students with extracurriculars, grades, and perfect SAT’s.</p>

<p>tl;dr College messed up application, ruined my chances, and I’m ****ed. What now?</p>

2

<p>

Not that it helps you now but not true.<br>

Look at the ED section: <a href=“http://web.reed.edu/apply/applying_to_reed/applications/Reed_2010_App_Instruct.pdf[/url]”>http://web.reed.edu/apply/applying_to_reed/applications/Reed_2010_App_Instruct.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Argh. I feel like an idiot now. I could have sworn the specific clause “We prefer two academic references, but we realize that this may be difficult.” overrid it. Now I’m just embarrassed.</p>

<p>Thanks for your insight.</p>

4

<p>YOU messed up. It sucks, but don’t try to blame the college. Now as for your current chances, we can’t help you unless you tell us a bit about yourself.</p>

5

<p>Nope, I didn’t make a mistake. </p>

<p>Here’s what it says on the “Homeschool” instructions:</p>

<p>“At least one letter of recommendation from a tutor, evaluator, or teacher who is not a family member”</p>

<p>My application said that I was sending two, so they expected two, even though they only require one.</p>

6

<p>What are your other options?</p>

7

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<p>From this, it sounds like a correctable issue. Have you tried explaining your situation with this background evidence?</p>

8

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<p>I think it is as well, however I already sent one email on the subject. I didn’t explicitly ask for a solution, though, and sending yet another email might come across as whiny.</p>