Being rejected with a perfect score, is it normal?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

I was rejected by a local college ADN program during this month with a high score of 90 points according to the school's multi-criteria screening system. I don't want to mention the school. I just want to ask everybody, do you really think it's reasonable, and fair for the school to reject an applicant without any contact? What will you do if you were in my situation?

Let me tell you the story first.

I have bachelor degree, which is worth 10 points; I have a GPA of 4.0 for general education classes, which is worth 10 points; a GPA of 4.0 for prerequisites which is worth 40 points; and then my HESI score is 91.6, which earns me another 30 points. Totally, I have 90 points. I took all of the classes in the same school and right now I am still taking classes. I applied on 08/18/17. The application was online. It asked me to upload my Bachelor degree unofficial transcripts and the other transcripts before I submitted the application. I remembered very well, I had to upload all the required documents so that I could submit, otherwise there would be a notice reminding me to do that and I couldn't click the button of submit. I uploaded three times the college transcripts because at first I saw that I had two of them and thought that I made a mistake to upload an extra one so I deleted it but then the system asked me to upload again. I figured out that the two transcripts were for two different purpose, one for general classes the other for prerequisites, so I uploaded again. I did check all the documents before submission and all the documents were visible. And all the documents were in PDF, the required format. During the process of online application, I met several questions and asked my friend and I even made a call to the nursing department. Finally, I finished it and submitted. I got a confirmation email right away.

On 10/03/2017, I saw people say that they got the emails notifying them to make counseling appointment but I didn't get it. I waited until the second day to call the nursing department and didn't get any useful information. I went to the department to check what exactly happened and got the answer was that they couldn't open my documents. They didn't show me what "couldn't open" meant, all of the staff I contacted told me that. I tried to contact the chair of the nursing department, hoping to see her in person but failed. I wrote emails to them and they replied with cold rejection.

Yes, I know there was a notice saying any documents can't be opened would result in rejection. But I still have questions. Is it really fair to do so? I didn't see any warning about what kind of documents may result in failure to open in their system. I didn't see any way of verification after submission. When I was there, the staff asked me to call them to check before the deadline next time when I reapply. Do you think it's a normal way for a department to admit new students? I did everything as required: uploaded PDF, submitted application online, my points were very high. But, without knowing anything, I was rejected like this and when I wanted to talk with them, nobody cared.

I appealed to the upper division after that. And the results was, they asked their IT worker to try the system as an applicant, and they uploaded their documents. After that, they could open the documents so their conclusion is the system is perfect. They tried my documents, but the documents were empty! Both of my college transcripts were empty. So their conclusion is, it is my fault. I don't know why my documents were empty because the department said they couldn't open them. And the system wouldn't allow me to submit the application without the documents. I would never forget to upload them. I just downloaded the documents from the school's website for the application. This mistake would never happen to me.

PS: their staff told me that it might be caused by my Macbook because their system sometimes can't read documents from Macbook. If it was true, I have more questions. There are a lot of students using Macbooks, if their system really has problem reading documents from Macbooks, should they tell the applicants on their website? If they know that but don't warn us, how could we know that? Does it sound like a set-up? I have never seen any notice of this. The applying website even tells the applicants that they could upload pictures of the documents from their Iphones and Ipads if they don't have PDF formats! If there is really this potential problem of Apple computers, should they notify the applicants on their website? And they said there were a lot of applicants rejected like this. So that means they know the problem, but they didn't try to fix the problem either by technology improvement or by effort of the staff. An extra notice of Apple computers' could fix the problem. Or they could contact the applicant with an email requiring them to provide documents within a time limit. They did nothing. Their rejection emails wouldn't tell you anything. You will have to go and ask them why. If my points were only around 70, I might have never gone and asked why. I did everything as required, but still got rejected. How should I know what would happen next time?

What I want to say is, without any effective way for the applicants to verify the documents after the application, is it really a justified way to reject an applicant like this? Normally, if a department wants to use a working system, should it be their job to make this system as perfect as it could be? But this system, including the technology and staff, is apparently full of problems. If you were me, what would you do? Should I just accept the rejection and reapply next year?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED.

If I were you I would just plan to reapply next year. You have done a lot of digging into why you were rejected this year and as frustrating as their reasoning is they did give you a work around for next year, call before the deadline to have staff check the documents.

I hear your perspective and it is totally valid, however, you must also see the situation from their point of view. They get many many applicants whose applications they must assess. If an application is incomplete, a student has submitted the wrong information, or the documents can not be opened, it would take a lot of time and effort on the schools part to resolve the situation. They get around this by being upfront about the fact that any application with documents that cant be opened will be rejected. Unfortunately they did not make it clear that you should call prior to the deadline to ensure they have your complete application.

It does sound like you have a competitive application so I would certainly recommend applying again next year.

Im sure that is not exactly the answer you were hoping for but I hope it lends some perspective to the situation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My friend went to the nursing department to find out why she was rejected. The "missing" transcripts were right there in her folder, on top, in their unopened envelope. How do you think she felt? She pleaded with them to no avail. That was the end of her nursing career. She was bitter afterwards. I can't see anyone not being angry. There should be some form of checks and balances for such situations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My friend went to the nursing department to find out why she was rejected. The "missing" transcripts were right there in her folder, on top, in their unopened envelope. How do you think she felt? She pleaded with them to no avail. That was the end of her nursing career. She was bitter afterwards. I can't see anyone not being angry. There should be some form of checks and balances for such situations.

Do you know which school is that? She could sue them for that!

Half a year means a lot to us. Money, family burdens, mental burdens. They really should pay for that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If I were you I would just plan to reapply next year. You have done a lot of digging into why you were rejected this year and as frustrating as their reasoning is they did give you a work around for next year, call before the deadline to have staff check the documents.

I hear your perspective and it is totally valid, however, you must also see the situation from their point of view. They get many many applicants whose applications they must assess. If an application is incomplete, a student has submitted the wrong information, or the documents can not be opened, it would take a lot of time and effort on the schools part to resolve the situation. They get around this by being upfront about the fact that any application with documents that cant be opened will be rejected. Unfortunately they did not make it clear that you should call prior to the deadline to ensure they have your complete application.

It does sound like you have a competitive application so I would certainly recommend applying again next year.

Im sure that is not exactly the answer you were hoping for but I hope it lends some perspective to the situation.

Thank you.

I am pretty calm now. The day I got the confirmation was the hardest. Right now, I really want to ask, do you think the department is doing their job correctly? I have a chance to appeal to the State, but I am not sure wheter I should do it or not because I don't know how they will investigate. I asked the Division several questions about the process, their investigation never answered me one of them. If the State works the same way, it's just a waste of time.

But really, this system should be improved. If nobody pushes, they will no change.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My friend went to the nursing department to find out why she was rejected. The "missing" transcripts were right there in her folder, on top, in their unopened envelope. How do you think she felt? She pleaded with them to no avail. That was the end of her nursing career. She was bitter afterwards. I can't see anyone not being angry. There should be some form of checks and balances for such situations.

I am sorry for your friend. This rejection literally ruined her life. I will still hang on because I have 3 kids. I have to be strong.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There's not much you can do about your situation besides to accept it. You weren't rejected because of your 'perfect score,' but you were rejected based on technicalities. It's unfortunate, but if you already tried reasoning with the advisers to no avail then there is nothing you can do besides apply next term. I would give myself options next time around by applying to more schools.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've had a similar situation happen to me this application period! The school lost my transcripts and denied me saying that my application was incomplete. I've called a few times and they're still investigating. They have admitted that they lost the transcripts and they've now found them and they are shown as having been received September 22nd, 9 days before the application period closed. Every time I call and ask what's going on, she says that they're still working on a resolution. It's been 10 days since I got the rejection email now :c

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I've had a similar situation happen to me this application period! The school lost my transcripts and denied me saying that my application was incomplete. I've called a few times and they're still investigating. They have admitted that they lost the transcripts and they've now found them and they are shown as having been received September 22nd, 9 days before the application period closed. Every time I call and ask what's going on, she says that they're still working on a resolution. It's been 10 days since I got the rejection email now :c

Patpat. I think you will get in the program. At least you found your transcripts. Good luck to you! Keep pushing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thank you!

Thank you! One of my professor is helping me. He has talked with the school and maybe I will have a meeting with the Associate Dean of the Division soon. No matter what the result will be, I already feel very moved by what he has done for me. I just went to him for a little suggestion, but I got a lot more. If the department were like him, such kind of things would never happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'd be really annoyed, and Id probably seethe for a few days for sure. But it's not the end of the world because you can reapply. First of all, I'd reapply with plenty of time to follow up to make sure they can open your docs. Secondly, I would mail hard copies of everything under registered mail, with a letter included to say, "I know this is not the convention you require for applying, but I did apply last semester online and unfortunately you were unable to open my documents. I do not know the reason for this since they were in PDF format as requested. I have reapplied this year online again. However, just to be sure, I am also including a hard copy in the event my files cannot be opened again."

Frustrating, but don't let it stop you from pursuing your goal....!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment