Carnegie Mellon University’s Master of Science in Computer Science Program mistakenly sent out 800 false letters of acceptance, telling prospective students “you’re in,” and then shortly after yanking that message — “no, we’re sorry, you’re out.”
The applicants received their acceptances by email.
The message said, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported: “You are one of the select few, less than 9 percent of the more than 1,200 applicants, that we are inviting. We’re convinced this is the right place for you. Welcome to Carnegie Mellon!”
About seven hours later, 800 or so of these message recipients received another — a “correction of prior email/revocation of offer of admission,” the newspaper said.
“This was an error on our part,” Frank Pfenning, professor of computer science and a department head, said in the correction message. “While we certainly appreciate your interest in our program, we regret that we are unable to offer you admission this year.”
The university “deeply apologize[d]” but didn’t comment further, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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