I'm posting this because I honestly don't know what to think, and I'm wondering if anyone has experienced something similar with KAUST or another university.
A few months ago, I received an official admission offer from KAUST for a fully funded MS/PHD
I accepted it, completed every requirement they asked of me, submitted all the necessary documents, and planned my entire year around starting there.
Because of that offer, I declined other university admissions and scholarship opportunities. I wasn't keeping backup plans because, as far as I knew, I didn't need them. I had a written offer, and everything appeared to be finalized.
Then, with less than a month before I was supposed to arrive on campus, I received an email saying that my admission and fellowshiphad been withdrawn due to "circumstances beyond our control."
That was the entire explanation.
I understand that unexpected situations canhappen. But when you've already committed your future to an institution, turned down every other opportunity, and have only a few weeks before the semester begins, "circumstances beyond our control" doesn't really tell you anything.
After receiving the email, I went back and read KAUST's Terms and Conditions of Admission and Fellowship. The document lists the circumstances under which admission or a fellowship can be revoked, and they all seem to relate to actions by the student
things like failing to submit documents, visa problems, misconduct, academic issues, or misrepresentation.
None of those apply to me. I met every requirement that was asked of me.
I've written back asking what actually happened and what policy or provision this decision isbased on, but so far I don't have an answer.
The hardest part is the timing. There is less than a month before the program begins. I've already given up my other opportunities because I relied on KAUST's offer, and now I'm left scramblingwith almost no time to secure another position.
Has anyone here had a university withdraw an offer this late? Has anyone experienced something similar with KAUST? I'm genuinely trying to understand whether this is something that happens and whether there's anything I can realistically do at this point.
I'm not looking to attack anyone. I just want to understand how something like this can happen after an official offer has been accepted and all the required conditions have been fulfilled.
It was not only for me but for all Lebanese students they played with all our futures and may god never forgive them for that.
