Decision '09

<p>Thanks SarasMom – Best to you as well! It sure has been an interesting ride so far.</p>

<p>Still no mail for us…</p>

<p>Got a rejection from Webster today. Would have been nice to get in (the money wasn’t there, though), but after reading:</p>

<p>“However, we regret to inform you that your presentation was not at the level needed to be accepted to your Fine Arts program at this time.”</p>

<p>I am honestly a little relieved I was not accepted. A little harsh. </p>

<p>Posting this to hopefully warn some others. It’s not the nicest rejection letter.</p>

<p>that letter says nothing about the character of those running the program. i’ve gotten rejection letters that said similar things. i think it was a form letter, too, i doubt it was personal.</p>

<p>I know it’s a form letter, but I think the wording was a little off.</p>

<p>Webster is still a GREAT program. The letter was just a total-turn off!</p>

<p>Agreed, Georgeanne. Ouch.</p>

<p>We’ve gotten a few rejections thus far, and I have to say none struck such a negative tone.</p>

<p>Contrast it with our latest example, today’s letter from CMU, which states, “Our Admission Committee has carefully reviewed your application and supporting credentials and despite your fine record and accomplishments, we are unable to offer you a place…” </p>

<p>Just a bit more classy than the Webster rejection, I’d say.</p>

<p>Yeah, perischack, it just wasn’t what I was expecting at all.</p>

<p>Like I said, Webster is still a GREAT program and it should not be overlooked for something like this, but it does give me pause. I know Plaidman reads this board often and perhaps he would be interested in my reaction, I don’t know.</p>

<p>Does anyone know if acceptances are in large envelopes and denials in small? What about waitlists?</p>

<p>Denial was in small envelope.</p>

<p>I have to agree, Georgeanne. When we read the rejection letter, our whole family was taken aback by the wording. Compared to other rejection letters, this one was quite biting!</p>

<p>Congrats to those who were accepted to Webster and best of luck to those who are moving on to other institutions.</p>

<p>I would also agree – My D made an interesting face when she read the letter – and read that passage out loud to me. Rejection is a part of this process, but this letter did seem a bit harsh. Oh well -</p>

<p>I was interested, because I knew that I had heard this all before. Took me a while to find, and I don’t remember how to link…
In the Webster University thread, under the Webster U. subheading, the letter and wording came up in 2006. (p. 10-11 of the WU thread). At that time, an administrator said that they would revisit the letter, and discuss revision. My guess is - it wasn’t a high priority at the time, and by the time the next cycle rolled around, it was forgotten. I know there have been changes in faculty, and I imagine the incoming people just used the same form letter from the past.</p>

<p>I’m sure it is not meant as an intentional slur, but given the highly emotional rollercoaster these auditioning kids have been riding all season, I think a more kindly worded rejection would be in order.</p>

<p>Webster is a great program and I recommend it all the time and in fact, one of my seniors from last year is going there now. </p>

<p>That said, I think this rejection letter is poorly worded and not even true when it comes to BFA admissions. You can have a very good audition and still not get in. There is no way that the exact number of performances in the audition that were “up to level” equals the number admitted. Not likely. </p>

<p>However, this came up on CC a few years ago, as MusThCC also mentions. Webster’s letter is NOT typical of most college’s rejection letters. I thought Webster was going to change this but it apparently did not happen. </p>

<p>Perhaps one of the Webster families here can alert Plaidman or someone at Webster of this issue as it definitely affects those who receive that letter but it is also not positive publicity for this otherwise wonderful program to have come up every year on CC.</p>

<p>Greetings,</p>

<p>Of course, I do want to reply. I got an “heads-up” about this thread this morning. The letter was an internal error. We had fixed this situation last year and I do agree with everyone that the letter sent out does not at all represent the tone nor the nature of how the faculty wish to be represented in this audition process. A letter from the Chair of the Department has also gone out to everyone that received the first letter that I hope will be helpful.</p>

<p>We truly regret the error. I am quite proud of Webster and our process of working with each and every student throught the audition process. Your comments regularly reflect our concern to treat each potential student with care. Please know that we have taken steps to solve this situation. The individuals involved internally feally regret the error.</p>

<p>I hope all of you will realize Webster really wants to serve each applicant with credibility. I hope this helps a bit and I do apologize for the previous comments.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>Plaidman</p>

<p>Thank you Plaidman for your post. Indeed, a great school and program like yours responds to feedback and so it is great that this has been addressed. All that you have written on CC has been very positive in my view.</p>

<p>Plaidman,
Should transfer applicants hover near the mailbox this week or find something else to do for a while?</p>

<p>You know I was perplexed when I read these latest posts because D was rejected last year and we received a TOTALLY different letter! It gave rise to a thought that maybe not everyone got the same letter, which would make things quite complicated indeed. I’m very glad to hear that is not the case. Thank you Plaidman for responding so quickly! It is very reassuring that you and department take each and every applicant’s time very seriously. </p>

<p>I wish everyone the best…</p>

<p>No Webster mail today…</p>

<p>SarasMom - just curious, you mentioned above that your daughter took a gap year. What did she spend the year doing ?? Thanks</p>

<p>MusicTTXmom…
No Webster mail here either but it may be because d is a transfer applicant.</p>