<p>Anyone out there receive a letter from AU, addressed to the STUDENT, opening salutation to “Dear Parent,” with the body of the letter selling AU’s credentials, including its quality programming, and financial stability? The last paragraph states, “We are pleased that you have chosen our community. We hope that you too will feel justifiably proud…look forward to preparing your son or daughter…We look forward to meeting you during Welcome Week in the Fall.”</p>
<p>Signed by the President and Provost. </p>
<p>Huh?! My child has signed no letter of acceptance, nor deposited money. I called the school to make sure that there wasn’t a mistake. She is still in the decision-making process. </p>
<p>The response, “Oh. There seems to be some confusion about that letter.”</p>
<p>Well, yes!</p>
<p>Is this reflective of, or a general indication as to, how things are done at AU? (Sloppily) </p>
<p>Insight appreciated. Also, is it just me, or is it reasonable to expect that t’s would be crossed and i’s dotted, so to speak, for a higher institution of learning that charges what AU does for tuition? I am flabbergasted.</p>
<p>Simply put: the admissions office is not reliable. They are not usually on the ball about A LOT of things, not just sending out letters that do not make any sense. I am under the impression that this is at least in part due to the fact that they are woefully under staffed. Financial Aid has a similar reputation and from my personal experience has botched many student issues. </p>
<p>However, admissions or financial aid is not why you come to AU. You come to AU because the professors are great, the personal attention is an asset, and the career building opportunities are essential. </p>
<p>I will agree that the price tag on AU is way too high, but isn’t that true for almost every private school these days?</p>
<p>We just returned from two days at AU. My son spent an Honors overnight for Presidential Scholars and then today was Freshman Day on campus. We were so impressed by the caliber of AU staff that we met, including the Admission folks. The two day event was well organized and energizing. My husband and I left AU feeling welcomed and my son felt for certain that this was the school for him. I would not judge the admissions staff on one mistaken letter. AU is impressive. The AU staff we met were caring, curious, and highly intelligent.</p>
<p>I would echo Kcreative - I was also there with my son and was also very impressed with everyone we met. When my son couldn’t eat the food on Thursday, they went out and got him food he could eat - just bent over backwards for us. </p>
<p>I think that their commitment to growth (which is what the letter was about) is unique in this challenging time. It is certainly putting AU up higher on my son’s list. I"d love for him to be at school that is expanding rather than contracting. (I think I remember Kerwin saying they were adding 60 faculty - not sure about the number, but here’s the meeting summary of the board of trustees)</p>
<p>Admissions, the Office of the Registrar, and Financial Aid can be alternately very kind and helpful OR totally spastic and counterproductive. The good news is, you rarely have to deal with them directly, so I wouldn’t use this experience as a factor in your decision-making process.</p>