Application cancelled - transcripts not received.

Applying to College
1

<p>Today my world has practically come crashing down around me. I've had good grades all through high school and was conditionally accepted into CSUSM. I've met all the deadlines, done everything necessary. </p>

<p>However, last night, I received an update on the school website saying my application was cancelled - transcripts not received. Beneath this, it states that my applications were received, but on July 19th, 3 days after the strictly enforced deadline of July 16th. I went to my high school on July 2nd and put in a transcript request form. Two weeks should easily have been enough time for my high school to send a transcript to CSU, which is hardly 20 minutes away from my high school. </p>

<p>I went with my mom to the college at the admissions office and was basically told "Too bad, but you can try to appeal this." Everywhere else I have looked, colleges are usually much more lax as long as they receive the transcripts within a few days. </p>

<p>I have literally never felt this hopeless and depressed in my entire life. Now, I've done my research and apparently high schools are renowned for sending transcripts late. How was the average student supposed to know this? I went to the CSUSM appeals link: Admissions</a> Appeals and Petitions, and it would seem any appeals regarding missed deadlines would not even be considered. My parents, rightfully dissapointed in me, have basically in the last three hours started acting like they have disowned me or something, not to be melodramatic, with my mom repeatedly noting that I would have to work at McDonalds for the next year.</p>

<p>I was told to include as much as possible in the appeals email, with a letter from the high school explaining everything, but to my annoyance my mom quickly sent off a paragraph long email with no attachments or anything to the appeals committee. </p>

<p>Basically, my entire life has been ruined because my high school was three days late. </p>

<p>Now I am looking at Palomar college, but apparently I'll have to wait for spring. Apparently there is a high dropout rate among people who don't immediately start college, due to getting sucked into the routine of working, etc. </p>

<p>What should I do? I don't have any faith in the appeal process due to it explicit stating my appeal wouldn't even be considered. Is there anything I can do to improve my situation? Would forwarding a new email on top of the first one look unprofessional? What specific sort of letter should I attempt to get from my high school? Is it worth the money to go to a community college for the semester, or just work until I can reapply to CSUSM? </p>

<p>Am I overreacting? I am genuinely depressed. I have disappointed myself, I have disappointed my family.</p>

2

<p>Go back to your HS GC and ask for help. You need to know when they actually sent the transcripts…your appeal may be stronger if the delay occurred in the CSUCM mailroom.</p>

3

<p>Don’t worry about the email your mom sent. Go to your high school, figure out what happened, and try to get your admission back. It’s not over yet.</p>

4

<p>The office is closed to August 1st. </p>

<p>Will this incident hurt my chances of reapplying for the Spring?</p>

5

<p>None of us know that. Get your GC to find out for you.</p>

6

<p>Well a miracle has occurred. My mom really went to bat for me and managed to get into contact with the lady at my high school that I gave my transcript request form to. She wrote us a well-written letter, attached with a receipt of my transcript showing that I had sent it in on time, but due to the computers rolling over my transcript was delayed. Otherwise my transcripts should have arrived easily in time. She went down to the school and personally handed this all into to the guy in charge of admissions. </p>

<p>From the way she described how it went however, he seemed rather busy/perturbed/annoyed; apparently it was emphasized that my chances were still very slim . My only concern is that this in an indirect way hurt my chances; they might see me as dependent or not a self-starter from this incident from having to rely on my mother. My mom also stated that “Now everybody at the college will know your name”, I hope she was merely stressed out and exaggerating. </p>

<p>This has given me a lot of hope but I’m still preparing myself that this will likely be declined.</p>

7

<p>I can’t talk to my GC because my high school office is closed to August 1st. </p>

<p>Nonetheless, I suppose the question I am truly trying to answer is this: Did I procrastinate by not immediately sending in my transcripts the moment I received my conditional application letter from CSUSM early in the year? Keeping in mind I was under the impression 5 business days at maximum (as stated on the transcript request form) should have been sufficient time to send in the transcripts, I sent them in two weeks before the deadline, giving twice as much time as I had thought necessary at the time.</p>

8

<p>No offense, but I find this college’s actions and attitudes highly reprehensible. They are off my kids list for now and forever, this is not the way to treat people</p>

9

<p>Another point is this. How many students were in your graduating class? Our school is rather small at around 150 per graduating class, so it is easier to do but…we have a large display at the end of the school year with every senior & their plans for after graduation. At graduation practice we have them check the display & come into the guidance office & tell one of the secretaries if what is on the display is incorrect. When grades are finalized around July 4th, graduation this past year was June 23rd) we send final transcripts to the students intended college. This is much more efficient than having student call or come in and make the request. Even if your number of students is much larger, you should have the corresponding staff to be able to do this. In addition, our office is never “closed”. At least one secretary or counselor is there all summer. I can see why they want to make it the responsibility of the student (you should have made the request before the end of your school year), but our system is just a lot easier for everyone!</p>

10

<p>“My mom also stated that “Now everybody at the college will know your name”, I hope she was merely stressed out and exaggerating.”</p>

<p>Yes, your mom is stressed out and exaggerating (and a bit exasperated I’m guessing). The staff at your college have better things to do than try to remember which kid didn’t get their transcript in on time. If they do accept your appeal, it will be forgotten by the time you arrive on campus.</p>