<p>A friend was recently offered the opportunity to pursue a chemistry PhD at the school where he just finished his undergrad degree, after not having applied to the grad school there. It was part of some additional funding that came in to do research... in other words, this is sort of a special deal that he was lucky enough to get. This has all happened this month, and he would be starting in September.</p>
<p>After visiting the lab for a day, accepting the offer, and then signing a long-term apartment lease, however, the professor who offered him that position has just "rescinded" it, saying basically that they don't have as much money as they thought.</p>
<p>This is obviously unethical, and I have never heard of a school rescinding an offer for any reason other than the student's poor performance in some capacity, or finding out that the student lied or violated the terms of a contract. But funding? An offer should never be extended until funding is guaranteed, right? Although this admission offer was sort of an under-the-table thing since he didn't apply officially, it's an offer of admission into the graduate program nonetheless, and (it seems to me) must be treated as such. </p>
<p>Is there any board that governs grad school admissions, or any set of guidelines that many schools sign onto? Any ideas would be great. I'm balking at this situation and thought I'd see what I could find out on his behalf. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, this is really strange. It makes no sense. I’ve never heard of this happening. There is an agreement in place among a number of grad schools to protect students from having funding offers recinded. It is thru the Council of Graduate Schools. A link is below:</p>
<p>…but if your friend didn’t apply or is not yet accepted into grad school then this Council of Graduate schools agreement may not apply. It may be just like any other job which companies or institutions rescind all the time.</p>
<p>It is also very strange for a prof to extend a RA offer like this, since at most major Research Universities these RA positions are vigorously protected by the school’s administration and only given to PhD students or select Masters students.</p>
<p>Agree with jack63. Sounds like a handshake agreement between the adviser and your friend. Unfortunately, since your friend didn’t officially apply to the university, the school has no obligations to him.
Your friend was hosed.</p>
<p>I mean it is unfortunate and the school should have acted more ethically, but I think it was foolish to go ahead and sign a lease on an apartment until something more official was in place.</p>
<p>belevitt nailed it. The adviser can say he gave your friend a technician position and your friend can say it was a PhD place. Your friend has no proof other a year lease on an apt. Who will the university believe? Academia is a small community, if your friend has any hope to get a PhD position in the future he should act accordingly. Too bad for him.</p>