<p>@ chacha: While I have a very definite opinion about what happened, I'm not advising anyone to ask for their refund so that I can make a statement or so that they can make a statement on my behalf. I'm trying to provide a bit of a reality check. It's over. The players have gone home. The ball's been put away. It's an exercise in futility to think that you're going to be able to play ball at this stage. Letting them keep your money won't change that reality. It's not about how badly she wants to get in. It's about there being no space left...as meleny points out.</p>
<p>Now if you've got a better word than "screwed" I'll be glad to use it. But if you insist that it's worth asking Exeter to render a decision now and keep that $50, then please come up with a word that means "screwed twice."</p>
<p>The best the OP can do is ask them to give her a credit for the fee next year and maybe they'll look a bit more carefully at the application next year. (Then again, they may write the OP on March 20, 2008 to tell her that everything was turned in except for the application fee....)</p>
<p>I agree, "game over," but this thread makes me sad. </p>
<p>Certainly applicants put a lot more than $50 into the process (hours spent writing essays, securing recs, going to interviews, anticipating...) and in return they deserve an answer when expected. In most cases, a "no," but still, a properly-delivered answer. If applicants in this situation did receive notice that their files were complete, I think a calm adult (parent/current school) should have a conversation with Dir of Admissions explain what happened, ask for nothing (or $50) and hope for an apology. If they don't hear about it, they can't fix it.</p>
<p>One lesson here is to keep copies of everything. If your situation is at all odd (no grades, off-campus interview, delayed rec) call the school and make sure it is all set. Record the name and date. Also, make sure that when you decide you get those contracts and payments in on time. Not a bad idea to give the school a call/email to let them know. Make sure that check clears and you get your copy of the contract returned. After all your work, you don't want to miss that boat!</p>
<p>Asking for a refund sounds just silly to me. I would write a letter telling them how dissapointed I was and that I wanted to go there so badly I would reapply next year.</p>
<p>...and you wouldn't mention a thing about the $50 in your letter? why write the letter in the first place? to lay a guilt trip on them for the sake of laying a guilt trip on them?</p>
<p>i would either ask for the refund and end this saga or say this:</p>
<p>"please go ahead and see if there's room for this coming fall, but if you find you don't have room, please apply the fee that I paid this year for a march 10 decision to next year's application."</p>
<p>i would make it clear that a "no" decision at this stage doesn't mean they've delivered the march 10 decision that you paid the fee for. yes, the fee is "just" $50 but it's the only thing left to use to make the point that the exeter admission office -- by failing to refund the fee without being asked -- does not get: they [insert your favorite euphemism for "screwed" here] up. </p>
<p>nobody has to be mean or snide about asking for the money. in fact the request should be made as though it's clear that that's what's called for. ask how they prefer to effectuate the refund, instead of ask if they will deign to offer it:</p>
<p>"dear mr. gary,</p>
<p>thank you for explaining the situation regarding the handling of my application. i remain interested in attending exeter and would be pleased to learn if there is a place for me at exeter next fall. should there be no space available, then, in lieu of a refund of the application that i paid for the benefit of receiving a march 10 decision (for which i fulfilled all of your other requirements on a timely basis), i will gladly take a credit for the application fee payable next year because i remain committed to earning admission to exeter."</p>
<p>the refund is the trigger that ensures that this gets real attention and the express recognition that it's understood that this was a regrettable error -- if that's a good term -- on their part. </p>
<p>frankly, i'm interested in seeing the op get a sip of lemonade from the lemons she's been dealt, but i'm not going to let an internet storyline short circuit my view of exeter. after all we don't really know what all the facts are -- maybe we're not getting the full story, which is a real possibility here on the Internet where Truth can be a scarce commodity.</p>
<p>however if i'm the op or her parent and i'm sure of the fact that "mistakes were made" then i'm taking a good look at how exeter handles this because...even if it's $50...if they can't figure out how to be decent and do the right thing that's something to consider before committing to 3-4 years of that. this isn't a silly $50. it's a reflection on exeter (for all who are sure of the facts).</p>
<p>Per Meleny's case. This is not a cover for EA but you take a chance by not investing the time and effort to tour and interview.Most of these schools STRONGLY emphasize this.It is understandable for those with no resources or are solid legacy/URM/whatever to chance it with an alum.What if this volunteer was perfectly brilliant but acting passively because of a poor interview?That would stink.On the other hand I know of a student who "mailed it in"(no visit or on campus Interview) with strong legacy at top schools and was accepted.note:applicant had resources to travel</p>
<p>i'm sort of angry about andover. i did everything.. and i even paid $60 for overnight shipping when i found out that my original application was lost in the mail. i was under the impression that they were going to treat my application with full consideration. i just.. i don't know. if i got into exeter, i could have gotten into andover.. i feel like i really could have gotten accepted.. and i really wanted to go to both schools and compare and find my fit and just be assured i was choosing the right one... $60 for overnigt shipping!</p>
<p>For that $60, blairt, I think you've just found your fit. There can be no doubts now. Congratulations! This is the stuff that rivalries are made of. Let it all hang out at the Andover-Exeter game next fall.</p>
<p>Having the choice is not all it is cracked up to be.It almost helps to have fate decide.I keep looking for a sign that distinguishes the 2 great institutions.Its all feel.</p>
<p>I've been looking at this all wrong. The "glass is half full" side of me should kick the butt of the "glass is half empty" side who is galled that they went through a charade review without refunding your application fee and point out that Exeter just saved you about $35 grand. Give or take. Your parents' bank account is phat. Have a party. Go on a cruise. And, in all seriousness, I'm sorry this happened but good luck with your application next year!</p>
<p>I have to point out though that at St. Paul's, Andover and Exeter there are a ton of scholarship "financial aid" kids. This year approximately 42% are paying a small percentage of tuition. Top Ivies are no different. If St. Paul's and Andover go need blind as Exeter is this year it will inch closer to fully half of all kids. Let's not scare off potential applicants with a $35 grand figure because you will only be paying what your family can or should be able to afford. I know you know all this but I wanted any new kids to understand that if accepted they will be able to attend, given some sacrifice by their family. The glass is definately half full and Sabregiel121 you should definately reapply to PEA. Good luck.</p>