Huge problem...I need advice.

[ncguy2005]

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I thought after withdrawing from 3 courses and taking an incomplete in one last semester I could still finish on time (I had surgery in the middle of last semester and had to lighten my load for obvious reasons).

As a music major I have to complete a final project at the end of my degree... when I was planning on working around the surgery I talked with a professor in my department about it and he said I could just do the project during the first summer session and finish in July. Well a few weeks later they changed the rules and you're no longer allowed to complete the project in the summer...

Now I have a huge problem.. I won't have a degree when I get to medical school, there are no questions about it. I don't even know how to begin to explain this to the schools if I get an acceptance (I'm waitlisted and post interview at two schools)... Does anyone know how horrible the consequences will be? I think I have some horrible luck...

 

[WeAreNotRobots]

are you sure the new rule is "effective immediately"? usually academic policy changes take affect at a later date, so as to not put current students in predicaments like this. double-check. and if not, then fight it by making your case clear to whomever has the power to make an exception for you.

 

[236116]

Double check, then declare war if necessary.

It's unfortunate that you didn't get it in writing, but I would think it should still be salvageable.

 

[silverlining1]

I agree that you should fight for it - make an appointment to talk to the department head, for example. State your case and try not to sound angry, defensive, or desperate. Good luck with your situation!

 

[Premed Worrier]

what a not cool situation to be in...I would say work your way up. Start with the dude who told you that you could do it. See what that person says. If it is not in your favor, work your way up from there. Sooner or later you will get to someone who understands AND can do something about it. I would also contact your schools to see what they think about it. I mean asking if it doesn't happen are they going to reject you outright? I would think that there may be extenuating circumstances on that front as well. But yeah that sucks, and I would just keep bugging and asking whoever will listen. Like someone mentioned earlier it is odd that they would make up this rule in the Spring semester and it goes into effect immediately. Odd. Good Luck.

 

[chad5871]

I would hope that the administration would be willing to work with you on this. If not, then that totally sucks and I'm sorry for your situation. If all else fails you can always try to get a deferment of your acceptance and just start med school a year later.

 

[Catalystik]

Some med schools don't require an undergraduate degree.

 

[Jolie South]

This is not a situation where you put this project off and decided to finish in July.

I expect that some sort of exception would be made for your case considering that you had a health concern. Get documentation from your doctor and make an appointment to speak with the department head.

 

[RoyBasch]

Get documentation from your doctor and make an appointment to speak with the department head.

👍 Do this for certain.

-Roy

 

[cpants]

As I recall you posted about this problem about 2 months ago. How did you not sort this out before the semester began? As I recall, my advice at the time was get your music project done this semester and save a few remaining credits for summer before medical school, enabling you to graduate, or at least have your coursework done, prior to MS1. Why are you not doing the music project now?

 

[I am the Stig]

my advice would be to start speaking w/ your administrators and perhaps have a former or current professor speak with them on your behalf if things are going too slowly. If that fails, bitch and moan. After that, give us an update and we'll suggest some more tactics.

I haven't had (or heard of) personal experience in such matters...

 

[ncguy2005]

As I recall you posted about this problem about 2 months ago. How did you not sort this out before the semester began? As I recall, my advice at the time was get your music project done this semester and save a few remaining credits for summer before medical school, enabling you to graduate, or at least have your coursework done, prior to MS1. Why are you not doing the music project now?


I thought I had it sorted out. I read the department handbook on how to take care of everything to ensure all requirements were met to begin the project. I registered for the class that should have safely secured it. Sure enough, a week before school start I get a mass email from the director of undergrad admissions sent to all students saying: "If you've registered for the class that meets the requirement to begin screening, you must have attempted the screening examination of ear training, piano, and sight reading on primary instruments two times..." I've only taken it once and passed 6/8 requirements. I didn't try twice, because the first time I couldn't even move air through my nose, which makes sight singing a pretty difficult task... anyway.. I've passed 7/8 with only two attempts making it impossible to do the project.

Its very frustrating, because I watched several of my peers go through bad advising or get bad information and be held back from graduating on time... so considering my circumstances I tried to do things by the book and talk with professors. I have one more shot at the screening, the secretary told me today that if I pass the last requirement I could write a letter to the department chair begging him to open up a section and he'd probably show some compassion and allow it... So basically February 25th is the day it all comes down to I have to sing about 10 measures by sight in a major key... I'm planning on going all out for the next month preparing and getting all the help I can get to pass it...

I hope I don't come across like I'm complaining, its just so heartbreaking to do very decent the past three years and not reach a roadblock until the last semester of my senior year...

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[236116]

the secretary told me today that if I pass the last requirement I could write a letter to the department chair begging him to open up a section and he'd probably show some compassion and allow it... So basically February 25th is the day it all comes down to I have to sing about 10 measures by sight in a major key... I'm planning on going all out for the next month preparing and getting all the help I can get to pass it...

I hope I don't come across like I'm complaining, its just so heartbreaking to do very decent the past three years and not reach a roadblock until the last semester of my senior year...

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Good luck.

 

[cpants]

Best of luck.

 

[chad5871]

I've had to sight-sing 8 measures a cappella in a major key for an audition once. It's very nerve-wracking, but if you practice, you should be fine. Best of luck, and I hope everything with your dilemma works itself out. 🙂

 

[richse]

Explain the issues and the reasons you had to lighten to load and get a deferral if they won't let you start without the degree. I think this amounts to one of those really good reasons for a deferral.

I thought after withdrawing from 3 courses and taking an incomplete in one last semester I could still finish on time (I had surgery in the middle of last semester and had to lighten my load for obvious reasons).

As a music major I have to complete a final project at the end of my degree... when I was planning on working around the surgery I talked with a professor in my department about it and he said I could just do the project during the first summer session and finish in July. Well a few weeks later they changed the rules and you're no longer allowed to complete the project in the summer...

Now I have a huge problem.. I won't have a degree when I get to medical school, there are no questions about it. I don't even know how to begin to explain this to the schools if I get an acceptance (I'm waitlisted and post interview at two schools)... Does anyone know how horrible the consequences will be? I think I have some horrible luck...

 

[ncguy2005]

Just as an update.. the department chair approved my request to finish during the first summer session! I'm going to be a college graduate soon!!!!

 

[deleted202457]

congrats