Hi pinkdiamond,
I personally think that you should confirm with the schools about this issue, do some groundwork, there is no point in investing so much time and money in schools which have such expiry date. By chance, even if you get accepted to such a school because of some slip-up on their part they will have the right to disqualify you at a later date.
In fact send them an e-mail ( instead of phone calls) that way you will have their response in writing ( and save it ) , otherwise it will just be your word against theirs, if it comes to that.
Henna