There was a big fuss a few weeks ago when Carnegie Mellon University accidentally sent emails to 800 students congratulating them for being accepted into the university’s prestigious graduate computer science program. Ironically, it was a computer glitch that brought delirious joy to 800 people, who found out a short time later via another email that it was an error. They were NOT accepted into the program and now had to take back all the whooping, hollering and beer/champagne celebrations they already had with friends and family.
Incidentally, a few weeks ago, I was also erroneously accepted into college. Yes, I, too received an email congratulating me for being accepted to a community college in Yakima, Washington.
But instead of jumping for joy and celebrating with a frosty mug of beer, I immediately felt a little bit worried. Obviously, this was a mistake, since I don’t live anywhere near Yakima, Washington and haven’t applied to any colleges for a very long time. But I worried because I knew there was probably some kid out there, trying to better his or her life, who didn’t even know that YVCC’s goal was to help them be successful as they pursued their education.
That’s the mother in me, of course. That kid could have been my own, and for whatever goofed up reason I got accepted into college for them, I still wanted that kid to be informed. How terrible it would be to be accepted into college and never know.
So I emailed the registrar and explained the situation.
“I hope you find the correct student and I send my congratulations for their admission to YVCC,” I wrote.
I quickly received a response from a nice Admissions Specialist.
“Thank you very much for notifying us! We have located the student and apparently she entered an incorrect email address on her application, and it just happened to be yours instead. Maybe a long-lost cousin?”
Whew, problem solved. I felt better.
Until yesterday when I saw another email from Sears in Yakima, Washington that said, “Hi Ashley, in the past you applied to Sears or one of our other brands. If you’re still looking, I’ll help you to find the right job. Talk soon and thanks – Mary.”
Now I’m worried again.
So I have a message for Ashley in Yakima, Washington:
“I hope your studies at YVCC are going well. Please call Mary at Sears. She might have a job for you.”
I should add:
“And please keep me posted.”
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Ann K. Howley is the award-winning author of Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad.
Please visit her website at http://annkhowley.com/#about-ann