Called for interview, booked flights & accommodation, then it was cancelled

St._Andalou

Hi all,

Help appreciated on behalf of my sister. My sister applied to do the PGDE (Primary) in a number of universities in Scotland and was called to an interview in the University of Edinburgh which was her first choice. She had put in a lot of work. She's on a year out and has taken weeks here and there doing teaching observation, etc.

She was e-mailed on the 4th of January to come to an interview on the 26th. She was asked to send off her leaving cert. results, etc. so she did that on the 6th. She booked her flights that week and her accommodation yesterday (16th Jan.)

Today she received an e-mail from the University of Edinburgh saying that her maths leaving certificate result (C at ordinary) did not meet the requirements and she was no longer called to interview. When she applied through the website she put "C" for maths result but there was no space to put the level.

What are her options here? It sounds to me, although I admit this is not my area, that the university has made a mistake. Surely not all applicants are called to interview? Is there anything she can do? If nothing else, it's a dire waste of money for someone who has been saving up to go back to college.

Please help. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: My sister already e-mailed the university and they replied that they sent her an e-mail that clearly stated the course requirements for Irish applicants but my sister did not receive this email. She double-checked her inbox and it's definitely not there.

She's also very worried that this has held up her application and diminished her chances of getting into her 2nd, 3rd, 4th options.

peanuthead

I would not be emailling them, I would be calling them to speak to someone about this. I would also send a very true, honest, emotional letter detailling not only the error that was made but why and how much she wants that place.

And to be honest, seeing as the flight and accomodation is booked, I'd be going there too. I might even call into the college and ask if there is any way around this, or even plead with them to direct me on how best to get a place on the course even for next year.

That might sound stalkerish but it all depends on the way that she handles it. I would definitely be going over there anyway, if for nothing else, for the holiday

rainbowtrout

peanuthead wrote: »

I would not be emailling them, I would be calling them to speak to someone about this. I would also send a very true, honest, emotional letter detailling not only the error that was made but why and how much she wants that place.

And to be honest, seeing as the flight and accomodation is booked, I'd be going there too. I might even call into the college and ask if there is any way around this, or even plead with them to direct me on how best to get a place on the course even for next year.

That might sound stalkerish but it all depends on the way that she handles it. I would definitely be going over there anyway, if for nothing else, for the holiday

At the end of the day, she still doesn't meet their requirements. I can't see how they are going to change that when they have already cancelled her interview on foot of her results and said they sent an email detailing requirements of Irish applicants. It's unfortunate that she didn't receive the email, but did she check what the requirements were herself at any stage?