<p>This may sound crazy but... Do you think it would be acceptable to ask for a refund of an admissions fee? One large uni to which my dd applied never gave her a decision, never contacted dd, nothing. She sent in everything ontime (by 12/1) and there's was the highest fee I paid ($70). I guess I'm particularly mad because the same thing happened to another of my children at another big uni. In that case, I called in May, they acknowledged that they had 'forgotten' about the student and I pressed for a decision. They then sent a rejection in July-- even though stats would have gotten an acceptance earlier in the cycle. </p>
<p>In this case, I don't feel like pressing this state uni for a decision because dd was applying to a special program which would be full by now. She wouldn't be the least bit interested in attending the school if she didn't get accepted at the program. The college itself was a super-safety; the program was a match/reach. </p>
<p>By the way, if you think it's ok to ask for a refund, to whom would you address it? Thanks.</p>
<p>I think that’s acceptable. You can address it to the Dean of Admissions or your daughter’s regional counselor, if you know the name. Include proof of payment; usually there would be a confirmation webpage you printed or an email confirmation.</p>
<p>I’d certainly send it, with copies to the state board of regents or whoever is the boss over the office to whom you’re making the request so they feel accountable to respond to you. Maybe cc it to the president of the university, also, or some kind of public relations or community ombudsman… </p>
<p>The idea is that you don’t send off $70 for a chance to be admitted. You sent $70 for the right to have the credentials reviewed, and to hear a reply within a published time-frame. Even quote from their own website about when you were supposed to hear back from them. </p>
<p>I’d wait on this until such time as you don’t get a response from the Director/Dean of Admissions. If the Director/Dean gives you satisfaction, that’s the end of it and he or she won’t have to deal with the political fallout letters to the top can provoke. I know that I appreciate the chance to address a problem before bringing the wrath of layers and layers of bosses down on my head. </p>
<p>^^In the biz, you are right. There is really no hurry here. I amend my suggestion as follows: write to the Dean of Admissions. If no reply within what you consider reasonable time-frame, phone the office and leave word that you’re inquiring about the status of your refund request (ask to speak with him, of course, but leave a content message if he won’t or can’t answer).</p>
<p>Then wait 2 more weeks and if you hear nothing from anybody, write a new one-line letter repeating the request, saying that you’ve written and left word with the Dean (give dates and copy of original letter), but as yet no response.</p>
<p>CC this second letter to all the other parties, and attach copies of the first letter.</p>
<p>How’s that, In the Biz? It’s been a while since I’ve worked in a heavy-duty bureaucracy, and you’re absolutely right about the courtesy. The goal here is to get a refund, not embarrass people unnecessarily, unless the OP feels some strong point needs to be made about how the office operates that might benefit future others. She did feel she missed a chance at an opportunity now gone due to the delay, so there’s a point to be made beyond the dean’s office. In that sense it’s not just “$70.” </p>
<p>I’m hardwired differently. If I thought an important opportunity had been lost due to this delay, I’d write a different letter protesting the issue of lost opportunity, in addition to requesting my $70 back. Different people respond differently, I guess.</p>
<p>Working at a public university I have found people far too quick to call out the big guns - emails/calls to the president, trustees, the governor! and the result is that all h*** breaks loose and I’m called on the carpet - lots of emails, calls, reports - to explain something that a simple phone call might have solved. </p>
<p>By the way, I grew up in Buffalo (well, Williamsville) and though my childhood ambition was to leave, I do miss it, especially in the summer.</p>