I vividly remember the day that I was accepted to Fordham University. I was the first to arrive home and read through the mail that day and I’m not ashamed to admit that after tearing open my acceptance letter, I jumped up and down in my kitchen and screamed “oh my god” about forty times. Even my dog was barking with excitement (or barking out of pure confusion). I called my parents and nearly anyone who I could think of in order to relay the good news, and even posted the obligatory “I’m going to college” Facebook status. I was beyond ecstatic, rejoicing over an achievement that was mine and could not be taken away from me.
Unfortunately for 2,500 hopeful future rams, that excitement was taken away this past Wednesday. Each of these Fordham applicants received an email containing information about financial aid packages and otherwise indicating that they had been accepted. The university quickly acknowledged the misinformation a few hours after the mistake had been made. Fordham released a statement claiming the school “deeply regrets that some applicants were misled.” (CBS)
Five hundred of those “accepted” students were actually rejected admission the following day. Based on her own past experience with the daunting college admissions process, FCRH junior Melissa Higgins sympathizes with the misinformed applicants: “I feel bad for those students because I remember what it was like applying to schools and how it was an emotional roller coaster of either getting in or being rejected. So to be given that false hope is really upsetting.” Other students like FCRH senior Kaitie Renshaw, however, share empathy with Fordham’s administration: “I know Fordham is extremely upset over the thought that such distress would come to any students for reasons associated with Fordham. The admissions staff dedicates so much time, effort and care to each individual prospective student, so this entire situation is very unfortunate for everyone involved.” Adds Renshaw, “I think Fordham handled it in the best way possible: by being compassionate of the students’ emotions and apologizing.”
Although a truly unfortunate mistake, this incident is a reminder that online communication is something that is not, and will probably never be, completely perfect. It’s important to remain supportive of Fordham and respect the timeliness in which this issue was responded to.