Some backstory here: One thing that has been hanging over my head, in a rubber chicken of damocles style, when it comes to school is the fact that they needed my AP test scores from back in high school, to prove I'd actually gotten credit for certain classes, especially things like basic calculus, etc, that I had no intention of taking again.
The problem is, my AP test scores were generated back in what would approximately be the Pleistocene era, and as a result, do not reside in electronic form in a database somewhere. Instead, they are stored on microfilm in a file cabinet in ancient storage somewhere in the bowels of the college testing board company. The only way to access said scores is to submit a formal request via fax or snail mail (email not allowed), listing what years and what tests I want scores from, what school to send the official copy to, pay them $25, and then wait 6-8 weeks for them to find the records. (at that pace, no doubt using a blind hillbilly with a divining rod)
I first attempted this in 2005. Admissions claimed to have never received the information, even though I know it got sent to them, and I got my unofficial copy. 2006, I try again. Same exact result. Official copy vanishes to black hole. Proving the definition of insanity, where you expect different results from the same actions, (and proving my sanity levels, no doubt), I tried again in 2007. Guess what, same exact result. (surprise!). Since I cannot graduate without them getting those scores, this process generated significant levels of frustration. Three separate times I went to the records counter at the administration building and asked them to check for my records, then spent 30-60 minutes waiting while they supposedly combed their files, only to get told "nope, no sign of ever getting those scores." So, I try again in the fall of 2008, this time getting a name I can put the document ATTENTION: to, so maybe it won't vanish! Yee haw! a different result occurred! This time, the college testing board lost my application to send out the scores! Um, well, it's different, but as to BETTER..... dammit.
So, I muddled along best I could, and finally, last semester, after making sure with my adviser that I was covering all my bases, took the 1 last CS course required for the major. (Plus actually a very interesting and useful course in Project Management). All through the latter part of the semester, I waited for my $25 to get charged and for the next submission to occur, since I had increased hopes it wouldn't get lost this time. No luck. So, despite being, as best I could determine, done with my degree, I have/had not officially graduated, and thus cannot put BSCS on the old resume.
Fast forward to just over a week ago. I get an email from the head of the CS department, a very nice 70-something or maybe 80-something ex-professor at the school, saying he'd been contacted by the powers that be at the school, and asked to find out why I hadn't graduated yet, given my vast number of credits. He checked, found I had completed all the major requirements, but was missing some overall requirements, and emailed me to ask what was up.
So, I emailed him back, explained about the gordian paperwork knot, and the apparent black hole in admissions and records with regards to the AP scores. He thanked me for the information, said he would look into it himself, and see what he could do, and then set up an in-person meeting for us in a week. (ie, yesterday).
So, I went into the meeting with him, and the man moved mountains. He not only worked on it himself, he went and got the senior Dean of the entire College of Applied Sciences involved. Apparently when SHE called admissions and records and asked about my scores, they were located in the space of approximately 5 minutes. (typical, rofl) Then, they went and got the manager in admissions that is in charge of all graduation issues involved in my case, and got her to agree to handle my case personally, waiving the fact that my forms would be arriving several days after the deadline for a June issuance of Diploma. The department head said it hadn't been easy, and had taken a ton of work to get everything unsnarled, but he was happy it got worked out. You better believe I just about got on my knees and did the "I'm not worthy" bow, so effusive was my thanks for what he'd done for me.
So, the upshot is, I walked out of that meeting with every single form I needed to prove I was ready to graduate signed and sealed and ready for delivery, AND despite not needing any classes this semester, he signed off my release form allowing me to TAKE classes, and thus receive financial aid, which was my backup plan for being able to afford things like rent and food if I wasn't able to find a permanent job rapidly (which I have not, given the uncertainty about what to put on my resume, and the overall shitty economic climate.)
The upshot of all this now is: I AM GRADUATING OFFICIALLY IN JUNE, AND REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS THIS SEMESTER, I *WILL* BE GETTING MY BSCS! YEE FUCKING HAW! I can take classes to broaden my appeal, including things like management courses or maybe tech writing, I can collect financial aid and not have to go live under a freeway bridge. Also, I can in good conscience put on my resume for Education: "Has completed all requirements for a BSCS", and if asked about why I have that, and not an actual BSCS on there, I am quite sure anyone will understand when I explain the paperwork snafu from hell. So, if I suddenly get a job offer, I can just drop out of the classes I am taking, go to work, then just pay back any financial aid I already collected.
So amazingly and utterly relieved right now. Greatest head of department, ever. Just, wow. Now I just have to decide if I actually want to wear the silly dress and coffee-table hat and walk across the stage in June or not.
Either way, I've finally rectified my fuckup of nearly 20 years ago now, of not getting my bachelors the FIRST time around. Damn satisfying.-Arlos
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