If you have ever emailed people of importance only to realize your utter stupidity in the email after it was sent, you understand how I feel. About two weeks ago, I received a document from the University of Exeter (the school I am going to next year) containing a Pre-CAS Contract and a CAS Data Check. I've gathered that a CAS is basically a file containing student information, and I will probably never come to know what the letters in the acronym represent. For all I know, it could be Cool Aphid Structures and the whole system is a lie. Better not push it. Anyhow, I received this document and was told that I was required to check and sign it before resubmission in order to get a CAS ID number which apparently is needed if I want to get into the country. Welp.
It was all going fine and dandy until I came across this:
Alright, really it said "Qualifications: QCF_NQF6", but it looked like gibberish. I have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This was nonsense I did not need in my life. I figured a QCF_NQF6 must have been the British equivalent to my qualifications, so I did a little research with my best friend, Google, and you know what I found? Zilch. Well, I came to the understanding that a QCF and an NQF were not meant to be placed together, and a level 6 was equal to a Bachelor's degree. Oops.
I thought back to when I applied and if I had given any indication that I had a Bachelor's degree. No wonder I got into places like Bristol so easily, I thought. They think I already have a freaking Bachelor's. If this mistake were to be corrected, would they realize I wasn't as qualified as they had thought and kick me out? They had every right to.
Panicking slightly at this point, I contacted a few friends who were currently in various school systems in England to see if they could shed further light on what a QCF_NQF6 was. None had a clue. Soon, I realized that my application for accommodation was invalid because when I had thought I entered my CAS number, I had really just entered my reference number, which is not the same thing. I had to get this CAS thing figured out soon or I'd be living on the street next year.
I emailed the university about the issue. One week went by, no response. I sent another email to a different address. Another week went by. At this point I was worried I wouldn't even have it figured out in time to apply for a visa. It was time to take out the big guns.
"...Dad?"
I put the document on his desk, pointed at it and told him he needed to fix the problem. He picked up the papers, narrowed his eyes, and pointed to a line I must have ignored. It read, "Section 2: Programme Information". My eyes drifted upward to the top of the page, which read, "Section 1: Personal Information".
"Jess," my dad started. "this isn't stating what qualifications you already have. It's stating what qualifications you will have upon completing the course at Exeter."
...Mmm, that's a facepalm and a half.
I really spend a long time writing emails to important institutions, such as the university I hope to attend next year. I quadruple check those emails to ensure there are no spelling mistakes or errors in wording, and they sound respectful though not robotic. I do the same thing when reading important documents. I read that line, that silly "Section 2", over and over. Sometimes, things just don't process the way they should.
Hanging my head in shame, I scanned the copies of the signed document, carefully emailed them, and then proceeded to email the university (who has still yet to respond) to explain my mistake. Hopefully I will receive my CAS number soon and will be able to resubmit my application for accommodation.
Until then, I think my Kindle is recharged. Peace.
