More than 360 prospective students received acceptance letters from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, only to find out hours later they were sent in error, according to a report.
The school, based in Minnesota, said on its website:
“Soon after the emails were sent, a technical error was discovered and the letters of acceptance were withdrawn by email.”
“We deeply regret having caused disappointment and stress to these applicants, and we are continuing to investigate the issue.”1
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Dr. J. Michael Bostwick, the admissions dean, told CNN that the school delivered the unfortunate news to the 364 applicants by phone about three hours after Thursday’s misfires. He said that the prestigious school offers admission to just 46 students, and it is always over the phone, adding:
“It’s awful. We’re still not clear how this happened and we’re so upset for these folks.”1
Furious applicants lashed out at the school and vented in social media. One person wrote on the nonprofit site The Student Doctor Network:
“Just sent them an email withdrawing my application. I know not everyone is in a position to do that, but if you do have options, I’d think about what this whole mess says about Mayo’s treatment of their applicants and students.”1
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Another person proposed a more positive bedside manner, saying:
“Unpopular opinion time: I don’t think it’s fair to drastically change your opinion of the school based on this incident. Suggesting that this mistake means you would be treated poorly as a student does not make sense.”1
The medical school is ranked ninth in the US for research, according to US News & World Report.
