<p>Last week my daughter found out she was put on SDSU wait list. She lives outside of their "service" area so it became quite competitive. </p>
<p>I called to find out what a wait list was and while I was talking to the "voice" she indicated that my daughter had a lower GPA than I knew she had. Long story short; the application had been filled out incorrectly. The question that asks for the "10th and 11th" grade GPA was filled in with a number that was lower than her "real" GPA. When we went to a superior we were told that it was my daughter's error and that we could appeal.</p>
<p>The Eligability Index we were told which was the minimum to be admitted into SDSU was 3,960. My daughter's EI was 3,956 with an erroneous GPA and a EI of 4,054 with the Correct GPA.</p>
<p>The appeal was made and immediately rejected by SDSU. They said it was my daughters error, so sorry. </p>
<p>We have hired an attorney. I can't believe how arrogant and rude the admissions people have been. It is obvious to us that they did not really check into my daughter's appeal. </p>
<p>So, because my daughter made a typographical error, and even though there is two months before students have to make their decision she was told to pound sand, to go away, to not bother them. I personally was told that the wait list meant nothing, even though she is so close (with the erroneous GPA).</p>
<p>So, anyone else had problems like this or similar with any other California State University? I would like to know how you handled them. My daughter is upset and we are willing to go after SDSU in court if it is required.</p>
<p>I don't see why they'd reject the appeal just because your D made an error on the app. That's one of the things appeals are for is to correct erroneous info on the app. Try contacting them again and see if you can speak to the particular superior who suggested that she appeal and see what they suggest.</p>
<p>Thanks. We did talk to the same "superior" that told us about the appeal process, if you want to call it that. She told my wife that they don't verify info until the sudent accepts. Then, if they have an erroneous "higher" GPA than in reality and that GPA got them into SDSU they can dismiss the student with cause. However, my point is this; they set up averages of GPA and SAT scores based on the information that has been provided by students applications. The SAT scores are reliable (they come straight from the testing company), the GPA is the "CSU" GPA, which is the 10-10th grade GPA minus the non-college courses, like PE and Drivers Ed etc. We were told they don't verify this info. But wait! In the question just above this question they require the student to enter their classes for specific courses from the 9th, 10th and 11th grades and enter the grades for each. The GPA is calculated automatically. It is, according to the admissions office verified. </p>
<p>When you allow students to make potential typographical errors that allows them to not get into the college of their choice or allows them to be dismissed after they have told other colleges they are not interested, the whole process is flawed. My daughter's error-free GPA would have raised the Eligability Index a bit and there were probably others that were also incorrect, either too high or too low.</p>
<p>We would understand if there were too little time to correct, but there is plently of time. Just a few arrogant bureaucrates who have the power, now.</p>
<p>Wow, this is a new one on me. Have you spoken with h.s. GC? He/she might have a contact that they could call. I know that my d's h.s. GC sorted out an issue with another student like this for an SDSU admission but that was 3 years ago. In fact, I think it might have that she was admitted, submitted a transcript and then was resinded (but there was some error on her part involved) and then she was re-admitted.</p>
<p>One idea- I have heard with ucs, if you don't get an approval for an appeal, keep appealing to a higher level. We know of one of those who was successful. In her case, the actual dept of her major got it done with admissions for her-- they intervened after she went in person to see them a few times. I don't know if that applies to SDSU. But you could try to call the chancellor's offce and see if the admin aide could help you sort out where to appeal next/or a vice provost or dean to call. Make sure they know that you have already filed and had an appeal denied. </p>
<p>It makes me so very sad that a cal state would not make an exception for a calculation error. Where is their heart? </p>
<p>If this were my d, I would support her desire to appeal if that is what she wants to do. But I would also start seriously considering what her next choice would be, so that she has the plan B that she is happy with. Maybe another one of her schools is meant to be.....</p>
<p>I think these schools are just a total mess this year because of the budget crisis. They have increased demand, are taking fewer students and have moved to giving priority to the service area. They are also telling admits to expect it to take 6 years to graduate. SDSU is especially overcrowded.</p>
<p>Given the incredible money squeeze, frankly I'd take the money the lawyer will cost, add in an expected fifth year and probably sixth and get my kid to a school that isn't such a mess.</p>
<p>Actually D is in her second year at SDSU and has nothing but a great education. She has had good counseling, great professors (-1) and could actually graduate in 3 1/2 years with only credit for 2 AP tests. She will be there a 5th as she is a Liberal Studies major and is specializing also possibly working on her masters at the same time and so it is her choice. If a person is at SDSU to learn, willing to be flexible with their schedule (especially the sophomore year when they register last), know their major within the first year and don't change majors more than once or twice, doesn't have to repeat classes, and takes at least 14-16 units, it is very possible graduate in 4 years. S at UCLA has the same situation. I think most colleges are this way. The problem with SDSU (and most other schools as well) is that some kids are there for other reasons than to study, want to carry 12-13 units, go to class Monday-Thursday between 10 and 2 and don't know what they want to do. D has had several friends that have either flunked out or gone home to go to CC, mostly because they didn't know what they wanted to do, changed majors several times and didn't know how to balance work and play. SDSU is big school and one needs to be in charge of their life. No one is there to hold your hand. It is like that at most big schools. OP, your D should take a look at a other schools. Don't waste you $$ on lawyer, after you went to all that trouble assuming she got admitted, would she be happy there? SDSU had over 55,000 applications and have cut spots this year, it is a harder than average year for admits at most California schools (University of WA as well by the way!). Sorry for the app error but it is a good opportunity for a lesson here. Out of Service area is especially hard this year, many people that normally would have gotten accepted from our school have been rejected this year. Anyway, good luck!</p>
<p>My D has been accepted by four other CSUs, but she has heard that SDSU has a good Kinesiology program. That's the draw. We know she won't get accepted everywhere, but we just want it to be fair.</p>
<p>55,000 applications! Wow!! How many have a made an error on their app? We would not have even noticed except that when I phoned to find out what a "wait list" meant, I was told info that was not accurate about my D. We checked and found the error. There are probably many that never will know they made an error, except if they make their error on the high side. The lawyer is for the principle of this thing. This is wrong, wrong, wrong. We want someone to show us their rule in writing that explains this situation (I looked on the CSU web site and found NO specific info on this) and we want someone to from SDSU to be human and come across as if they really cared. We aren't getting that at the present. Sometimes you have to stand up for principles. We know the CSU system is a mess now, but my daughter should have been admitted with her 3.7 and 1110, even with the revised Eligability Index. If accepted will she go to SDSU? I don't want her to, but it is her decision. I think what they are doing is bad business, but when you have 55,000 apps, who cares? This is the second child we have been through this process with and I sill wonder if the colleges REALLY know what they are doing. When some of the UC schools retention rates are near 50% and 30% is the norm accross the country, it make me wonder. Do the potential students know enough about the school and what college will be like? Do the schools tell the students the right things (honest things)? If we graded the schools on retention rates their would be no scholarships given. It just makes you wonder why we (society) scramble and claw toward our desired educational outcome. Is it worth it? Really worth it?</p>
<p>You HIRED an attorney? You gotta be kidding? [If so quick to pull the trigger on counsel, how did that app get by you unproofed?]</p>
<p>The Cal States (and UCs) have been operating on self-reported grades for a loooooooong time. They KNOW the issues involved therein, and accept them for efficiency purposes; it's a numbers game. And, fwiw, colleges that transcribe transcripts also make typos, and make decisions on those typos. In any event, the UC/Cal State process has been "flawed" or "wrong, wrong, wrong" for years. </p>
<p>
[quote]
but my daughter should have been admitted with her 3.7 and 1110, even with the revised Eligability Index.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>How do you know? Just bcos she meets the minimum cutoff, does not guarantee acceptance. Did you read where the median score was a 4228 last year? Barely meeting the minimum for eligibility won't cut it at SLO or SD. Our high school GC tells kids to not even waste the app fee unless their stats are close (or better) than the median. </p>
<p>The Cal States are cutting back due to budget issues, and those out-of-the-service area are just out of luck. The Cal States guarantee your D a spot at her local Cal State (or would have been if she applied on time). If she wants to attend SD so badly, enroll in their local juco which has a transfer agreement. </p>
<p>btw: the "testing agency" data is not likely correct. Moroever, it's at least two years old.</p>
<p>Scouting out teaching jobs over the past year in CA, I had the opportunity to talk to many students. The problem is that California wants 17/18 year olds to declare a major and stick with it. Then it want them to do well in huge classes with little contact with the prof listed as the one teaching the class. And the few counselors may or may not know what they're doing, the only guarantee is that there aren't nearly enough to serve the student body.</p>
<p>The contrast between talking to UC and CSU students about their college experience and doing the same with private college students and even state U students in NY, is about as stark as it gets. It was shocking to me, actually. It was like talking to kids on different planets.</p>
<p>I look at the small army of $30K(ish) privates on the same level as CSUs and some UCs that exist in CA. These schools often "discount" and total cost to graduation becomes similar to that of a CSU. I would so guide my kid to one of those schools because enrolling in a CSU is likely to bring more of the same of what the OP has encountered in the admissions process.</p>
<p>I'm sorry to read about the typo, but the applicant made the typo, not the school. The school doesn't have ESP. The school doesn't know the correct gpa. It knows what it is told. And the school already made its decisions.</p>
<p>If I sat on a jury, the school would win.</p>
<p>I hope it works out for the student anyway.</p>
<p>The appeals process is an interesting one. You have to show something new or show that a mistake was made in the application. Filing an appeal just because you think you should have gotten in in the first place doesn't work.</p>
<p>In this case, a mistake was made. This case seems to be made for an appeal. Why the appeals committee didn't at least consider her application again is a puzzle. They could easily have come up with the same answer--rejection. But to dismiss her appeal out of hand because of a mistake she made seems draconian.</p>
<p>Could it be that a quick eyeball by the admissions officer revealed that even with the corrected typo, the student wouldn't have been admitted? If so, the admissions office (which is swamped) might have said to themselves, "We're not going to bother. She doesn't have a chance anyway"?</p>
<p>OP, I can understand how angry and frustrated you are. But, a question. Was it your D's idea to pursue this on principle, including hiring an attorney? Or, was it yours or your wife's? </p>
<p>Asking for an appeal is absolutely reasonable. However, even if you do get a full reconsidered admissions decision, it is still quite possible that your D would remain on the wait list. That might well have been the outcome even if she had her grades correctly recorded on her app, simply because the admissions pool this year is so competitive and because your D isn't in the local area. In which case, your D would still be upset, and would need to move on and feel happy and upbeat about wherever she ends up going to school. Regardless of principle, it might be best for you to concentrate on her other acceptances.</p>
<p>well BLUE, you seem to be a Know-it-all. I am looking for someone who has some real knowledge and/or been in this situation. I didn't go looking for this, they presented the opportunity. They gave me all the numbers, that's how I know. They admit that she should be accepted if she had filled out the GPA question correctly, but were sorry you made a mistake. We are just trying to get someone to listen. That's all. I don't care about the numbers. I just want someone to listen. Like you did.</p>
<p>Did the numbers with the admissions folks. The minimum Eligability Index THIS YEAR is 3960. With the WRONG GPA my daughter had a 3056. With a corrected GPA her EI is 4054. My point is that there is plenty of time to correct AND if corrections are not acceptable it should be stated somewhere. We looked on the SDSU and CSU websites. Couldn't find a thing. They suggested the appeal. It was joke.</p>
<p>
[quote] Fall admission is based on self-reported information. If you are admitted, your admission is provisional pending verification from your official transcript of the self-reported information on your application. Your admission may be rescinded if your GPA, test scores or course grades are lower than what is reported on the application. Please make sure to report accurate information.
<p>I apologize for being flip in an earlier post. Just spent several hours with our legal defending against a scurrilous claim (typical shake-down to settle), which the other side has on contingency.</p>
<p>Well the short answer is to send SDSU an official request for an appeal. It could be as short as: I recently learned I was denied admission for fall xx based on my self-reported gpa, which was incorrect. My corrected gpa is 3.xx. Please reconsider my application for admission. An official transcript is enclosed for your review.</p>
<p>Address it to the head-honcho of Admissions and send certified mail, return receipt. Wait until they respond before spending legal fees. And if they respond negatively ask (in writing) for a copy of their written policies and procedures which denies admissions for (essentially) typos.</p>