After I received that email on Sunday, I sent a nice reply to the woman at UPenn. I told her that I wasn't named Jeffrey, nor did I receive a call from a Prof. Hurst. I mentioned that I did, however, apply to UPenn and hoped that the email was meant for me but only slightly mistaken in the facts. If, however, I went on, the email was not for me, well, then I hoped my application was impressive nevertheless and that the email got to the proper person.
Here's the response:
Thank you for sending this. It was intended for someone named Jeffrey. I have not read your application. Probably it is in a field far different from mine. I am sorry about the confusion.Now, folks, I am neither Sherlock Holmes nor Columbo, neither Elijah Snow nor Batman, but there are a few simple facts which are instantly obvious to even the untrained eye. First, the email was, in fact, intended for another person and UPenn is currently contacting cantidates they're excited about via phone. Second, I applied to the Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations, of which this woman is the Graduate Chair. Third, this woman had my email address from somewhere; otherwise, she could not have sent me an email. Fourth, this woman reads some applications, at least those in a field similar to hers.
So now I make some deductions. First, as I have not received a phone call, my application was less exciting than Jeffrey's. Second, this woman (and I am intentionally preserving her anonymity here, although I realize a quick search makes that point moot) very likely did, in fact, read my application. After all, she didn't pull my email address randomly off of the web and she is the Graduate Chair.
This leads to the conclusion that she's lying to me. There could be any number of reasons for this, but the simplist explanation is that she wants to forestall my asking about the status of my application. Unfortunately here is where the causal chain breaks down. There are too many possibilities. It may be that my application is still under heavy review and she'd rather not say one way or the other while said review is going on. It may be that my application is not up to snuff and will be rejected and she would rather avoid the conflict of a personal declaration of such. Other reasons abound.
So, I'm left with a few questions: Did this woman think I wouldn't see through her transparent lie? Do I do anything about it? Do I call her on her lie? Would that be too insulting or would it demonstrate my intelligence? Do I take the subtle approach and express concern that, oh, well, maybe my application isn't complete if she hasn't seen it yet? Or would that display an inability to complete tasks and follow up? Or am I just thinking about this too much?
Well, I'm open to suggestions.
Comments (5)
She is business lieing. She is brushing off the situation to avoid any potential awkwardness. Regardless of any facts at large - whether or not she has actually read your application or incorrectly copied your email address - she is giving you the standard "oops" response because to do otherwise might further taint the selection process.
Best course of action is probably to take the last missive at face value. A mistake was made, don't drag it out. My guess that this incident has no real bearing on your status, or even on your prospects, so don't sweat it until THE LETTER arrives.
Here, have a cookiee.
Posted by Erik (the roommate) | February 3, 2004 3:03 PM
Posted on February 3, 2004 15:03
Lying. I meant Lying. I con spel gud.
Posted by Erik (the stupid) | February 3, 2004 3:05 PM
Posted on February 3, 2004 15:05
Yeah, that may well be so, Erik. But I don't deal well with being lied to.
Watch as I grumble profusely at the situation!
Posted by Jason | February 3, 2004 4:35 PM
Posted on February 3, 2004 16:35
I think that you may have a legitimate concern about whether they have your application in their possession. You should probably contact someone other than the chair of the department to inquire if your file is there and let them know about the e-mails and the mix ups.
I still don't understand why you aren't showing up at Cornell and telling them, "Look, here's my admission letter, and here is where you told me I could defer. I am only a better candidate with the benefit of my additional experiences than the recent graduate you admitted. Please, resolve your clerical error and send me the registration materials." The UPenn thing will work itself out, but you have to be pro-active with Cornell. I suggest you focus your energy there.
Posted by Vitaly | February 3, 2004 4:50 PM
Posted on February 3, 2004 16:50
The letter from Cornell is long-gone, unfortunately. I haven't seen it in a while and I recently went through all of my various files and piles and came out with nothing. So there's not much I can do to be pro-active at all.
As for Penn, you make a good point. I'll have to call up the admissions department a little later on today.
Posted by Jason | February 4, 2004 9:49 AM
Posted on February 4, 2004 09:49