Need Advice..I'm getting sucker punched by AADSAS

[kobli100]

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Hey guys,

Bear with me here, I'm just going to give a little background one what AADSAS is doing to me, and maybe someone can point me in the right direction or offer advice.

Basically, I applied last year 2013 and sent in my application. I verified all the information was correct on my app before submitting and even printed it out for my records. EVERYTHING was correct. To make a long story short, my undergraduate work and degree was achieved at Chapman University (a private 4 year institution in southern California). Somewhere along the line, AADSAS decided to change my school and put Brandman University instead (which is an online graduate program that is offered by Chapman/ a totally different institution). My transcripts clearly say 'Chapman University'. They are totally two different schools, yet schools saw I attended a Brandman University Online because of AADSAS's mistake.

After realizing this critical error this year and talking to numerous AADSAS representatives, I finally got someone to admit that it was a technical error on there part and that they were going to fix this problem before this next application since my information is going to be automatically transferred to my 2014 application. No one could give me an answer on when it automatically switched over.

Two weeks have gone by, nothing has changed, and when I called today they proceeded to argue with me that it was going to stay as Brandman University and there was nothing I could do since the transcripts were already verified (incorrectly that is). Unbelievable! They are literally refusing to fix my undergraduate school and correct their error, I'm basically pleading with them and they are not cooperating. I feel like I'm in a nightmare. I contacted Chapman University today, so they are now getting involved.

Is there anyone that oversees AADSAS? They promise 'Coordinators' will call me back, which they never do, and now I have no one else to turn too. Has this happened to anyone before or am I the only lucky one? Like pre-dental students don't already have enough on their plate, now I'm having to get into a battle royale with AADSAS.

 

[atabaki92]

But when you re-apply (even from last year), you still have to send in all your transcripts again with matching forms...

 

[jeffity]

Verified transcripts transfer. You can't edit any of that. Unless you are adding more coursework, you won't be doing anything to that section. You could attempt asking on that ADEA AADSAS board someone linked. I know that's a step down from phone calls, but I don't suppose it would hurt.

http://info.adea.org/depforum.aspx?forumId=81&g=topics&f=4276

 

[kobli100]

This is from ADEA's website "Most application fields and verified transcripts (transcripts containing coursework calculated into your GPA last cycle by ADEA AADSAS) will be imported into the new application. Any coursework ADEA AADSAS verified (calculated into your GPA) last year does not require new transcripts."

Basically, they verified my transcripts incorrectly and are not fixing the issue. BTW I didn't mean to write a huge 'sob story', but just seeing if anyone else has gone through this.

 

[atabaki92]

This is from ADEA's website "Most application fields and verified transcripts (transcripts containing coursework calculated into your GPA last cycle by ADEA AADSAS) will be imported into the new application. Any coursework ADEA AADSAS verified (calculated into your GPA) last year does not require new transcripts."

Basically, they verified my transcripts incorrectly and are not fixing the issue. BTW I didn't mean to write a huge 'sob story', but just seeing if anyone else has gone through this.

So if re-applicants aren't sending new transcripts with new information, you don't have to re-send the stuff from last cycle???

 

[dshope]

Worst case, start a new application from scratch and don't import any information from last year.
You will need to send in your transcript again and input all the course works but this will only take few more hours!

 

[Hawkteeth]

Or you could contact the schools you apply to so they know. I would try to get a refund from AADSAS.

 

[squigloo]

Or you could contact the schools you apply to so they know. I would try to get a refund from AADSAS.

This x100. If they messed your application up that badly, that could have done the same for your chances at getting in during your first cycle. With how expensive the process is, I would be demanding that I get my money back.

 

[kobli100]

I totally agree with you, I tried explaining to the representative that there was no doubt that my application was affected negatively last year by their error (most dental schools don't accept online classes as credit), and they still refused to give me a refund! They told me no refunds no matter what, even though it was their fault.

 

[NDPitch]

Wow. This is 100% unacceptable. I would literally be on the phone with them NON STOP until this was confirmed resolved. If not a refund, I would want a steep discount on this year's application, if not free!

They definitely did you a HUGE disservice last year. I can't believe that! The fact that they won't fix it is extremely unprofessional. It is their error and they are now essentially providing misinformation to dental schools, something that I'm sure probably isn't even legal, especially when they're admitting it was a mistake and are still choosing not to fix it.

I might even threaten a lawsuit just to get the ball rolling on their end. Do not take no for an answer. MAKE them fix this. Unacceptable.

 

[lr2014]

Wow. This is 100% unacceptable. I would literally be on the phone with them NON STOP until this was confirmed resolved. If not a refund, I would want a steep discount on this year's application, if not free!

They definitely did you a HUGE disservice last year. I can't believe that! The fact that they won't fix it is extremely unprofessional. It is their error and they are now essentially providing misinformation to dental schools, something that I'm sure probably isn't even legal, especially when they're admitting it was a mistake and are still choosing not to fix it.

I might even threaten a lawsuit just to get the ball rolling on their end. Do not take no for an answer. MAKE them fix this. Unacceptable.

👍👍

Incredible! What a lack of professionalism! This happens all the time with us, students. Companies (book companies, test prep, app services, etc) think our houses are made of gold, they charge enormous amounts of money and treat us horribly. Who knows! Maybe you would've been accepted if it wasn't for that mistake... Keep calling them until they give you some kind of waiver or something.

 

[Toasted]

AADSAS can be really difficult to deal with. Different representatives will end up giving you completely different answers. I had a bunch of problems with my application last cycle and it took me almost two months of calls, emails, and talking to some higher-ups to get it all sorted out. Did you get your degree this year?

 

[emorypredent]

Not sure how to handel this situation. So odd and I feel with you. It must be frustrating. This is what comes to mind:

Try communicating via email. Be as clear as possible so a third party reading the emails understands what is going on.

If not resolved, keep asking them to escalate the issue.

If things aren't cleared up by when you reapply next month, contact all the schools you apply to directly explain the situation so they know which university you attended. Offer to send them a transcript directly if they prefer.

 

[kobli100]

Not sure how to handel this situation. So odd and I feel with you. It must be frustrating. This is what comes to mind:

Try communicating via email. Be as clear as possible so a third party reading the emails understands what is going on.

If not resolved, keep asking them to escalate the issue.

If things aren't cleared up by when you reapply next month, contact all the schools you apply to directly explain the situation so they know which university you attended. Offer to send them a transcript directly if they prefer.

Definitely, 12 days ago when one of the reps admitted it was a technical glitch, she said for me to send in an email explaining the situation. I did, thank goodness, so that at least puts some tangible proof on things.

UPDATE: So I contact my University's registrar, and they were able to kick butt on the matter. They were able to go straight to the top and resolve the issue, what a relief. We'll see come Monday though if it is actually fixed, I've just about lost all trust in the system at this point!

So basically if any SDN'ers come across this issue in the future, contact your University's registrar immediately and explain to them the situation. Thank you everyone for your help, much appreciated!

 

[kobli100]

AADSAS can be really difficult to deal with. Different representatives will end up giving you completely different answers. I had a bunch of problems with my application last cycle and it took me almost two months of calls, emails, and talking to some higher-ups to get it all sorted out. Did you get your degree this year?

I received my degree in 2011, and finished up some post-bac classes I needed in 2012.

 

[tommyinVA]

I totally agree with you, I tried explaining to the representative that there was no doubt that my application was affected negatively last year by their error (most dental schools don't accept online classes as credit), and they still refused to give me a refund! They told me no refunds no matter what, even though it was their fault.

I'm not trying to say you're wrong or justify AADSAS' actions by any means, because I think it's completely valid to expect a refund. . . . .but you'll never get it.

The problem is that there is no way to provide concrete proof that your application was negatively affected by their mistake (though common knowledge clearly states that it would have been). It basically allows them to hide behind a blanket of anonymity when it comes to grave errors like that. You could certainly do as NDPitch suggests and threaten with a lawsuit, but it won't be anything more than water off a duck's back without actually filing legal proceedings and having an official notice of intent sent to AADSAS, all of which will easily cost you more in legal fees than what you probably spent last year in app fees.

I think the best thing to do is obviously the most difficult: Forgive the error in your mind (after making sure that it's fixed, of course) and DO NOT carry that bitterness and negativity into this cycle. It will only make things worse.

 

[kobli100]

I'm not trying to say you're wrong or justify AADSAS' actions by any means, because I think it's completely valid to expect a refund. . . . .but you'll never get it.

The problem is that there is no way to provide concrete proof that your application was negatively affected by their mistake (though common knowledge clearly states that it would have been). It basically allows them to hide behind a blanket of anonymity when it comes to grave errors like that. You could certainly do as NDPitch suggests and threaten with a lawsuit, but it won't be anything more than water off a duck's back without actually filing legal proceedings and having an official notice of intent sent to AADSAS, all of which will easily cost you more in legal fees than what you probably spent last year in app fees.

I think the best thing to do is obviously the most difficult: Forgive the error in your mind (after making sure that it's fixed, of course) and DO NOT carry that bitterness and negativity into this cycle. It will only make things worse.

Agreed, yea I wasn't even really thinking about the legal route. Forgiving and forgetting in this case is the smartest decision to make, as frustrating as it was. After all, the overall goal is dental school and not going after AADSAS.

 

[NDPitch]

My "threaten a lawsuit" suggestion was more geared to the scenario of them still refusing to fix things. So I suppose just keep an eye on things and make sure they change it for real! If not, I'd be prepared to go guns blazing, haha.

Still, it wouldn't hurt to write a lengthy email describing how an online program for your degree would have basically put you in the "rejection pile" immediately, and that the last application cycle was a complete waste of money because of their mistake.

 

[atabaki92]

Verified transcripts transfer. You can't edit any of that. Unless you are adding more coursework, you won't be doing anything to that section. You could attempt asking on that ADEA AADSAS board someone linked. I know that's a step down from phone calls, but I don't suppose it would hurt.

http://info.adea.org/depforum.aspx?forumId=81&g=topics&f=4276

What if you're adding new coursework at a college that isn't listed on your AADSAS (say, a college you'll be attending in the summer ONLY but it wasn't part of last year's cycle?)

 

[jeffity]

What if you're adding new coursework at a college that isn't listed on your AADSAS (say, a college you'll be attending in the summer ONLY but it wasn't part of last year's cycle?)

Then you add the school and input the courses for that school.

 

[atabaki92]

Then you add the school and input the courses for that school.

But then there isn't a matching form for that right? Because there's no transcript to be sent?