If you’re an anxious prospective law student, waiting on pins and needles for any sign that you’ve received your golden ticket, then the last thing you need is a law school inviting you to an admitted students event and then promptly informing you that you aren’t really invited.
At the intersection of technology and bureaucracy, NYU School of Law managed to toy with the hopes and dreams of an unknown number of prospective students — UPDATE: and rejected students — when it accidentally blasted an Admitted Students Weekend reception invite to its admitted students… and the folks still waiting to hear. Imagine the confused applicant who received this invitation and the inner monologue they went through:
“This must be a mistake, because I’m not admitted yet. I’m not going to get my hopes up. Let’s be reasonable and even-keeled. I’m going to be a lawyer some day, and lawyers never jump to conclusions and fly off the handle. On the other hand, emails travel faster than letters, right? Maybe they’re sending the acceptance by snail mail? So, if they admitted me in the last couple of days, it’s totally possible that my letter hasn’t gotten in yet. Oh my God, I’m in! I’m going to start posting my reaction selfies on Snapchat! I also really should break up with my girlfriend now that I’m going to go clubbing with models every night. I really need to burn this bridge in epic fashion. Wow, so many life altering moves to make. There’s no way they’d screw this up, right?”
Well…
You received today an invitation from NYU Law to attend a reception to be held on April 6. This email was sent in error, and we regret that you will not be able to RSVP for this event. We apologize for any confusion.
If you have not yet received a decision, your application is under review and is receiving careful consideration from the Committee on Admissions. All applicants will receive a decision by the end of April, if not sooner.
Email distribution lists are a harsh mistress.
Joe Patrice is an editor at Above the Law and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. Feel free to email any tips, questions, or comments. Follow him on Twitter if you’re interested in law, politics, and a healthy dose of college sports news.
