Pride.

Earlier today, I received an email invitation to a session regarding financial aid/loans for an online University where I am considering working on a Masters. The date is a couple of weeks out, at a time I can manage, with some planning (Maya would need to stay later at preschool/childcare). I clicked the link to register.

You have been registered for blah-blah-blah session on June 12th at 1pm EDT.

I glance at the clock. It’s June 12th, 12:50pm EDT — as in, nearly 2 hours after the session’s start. First of all, this isn’t the session I responded to. Second, even if it were, why the fuck would they register me for something that’s already nearly over?

I emailed my contact at the online U:

The email to which I responded was for a session on Wednesday, June 25th. The information I received is for a session today — one that has already started and ended. When you have a chance, please help me get correctly registered. Thanks!

He responded:

Hello Allison,

You are not the first candidate to miss a web forum due to the time difference. Please review the two Web Forums below.

(details for sessions)

Please let me know which you will be registering for and if you require any further assistance in the registration process.

Have a great day!

My initial reaction: prideful annoyance. Dude. I did NOT miss a session for which I’d registered. Do you think I’m an idiot?

Second reaction: Questioning their competence. Do I really want to do grad work here?

Final reaction (I think): Eh, let it ride. I’ll re-register sometime via the website rather than an email link (for more control, I hope). The contact’s opinion of me isn’t THAT important.