I am a very logical person. Reason can't take you around facts. If it does, I will call you irrational. If your reason dismisses the facts, I will call you irrational. If your reason gets upset at facts and causes you to do stupid things, guess what? You are stupid! (And irrational).
Husband and I used to have our biggest arguments over arguments (hot topics). Since being at LU, I have grown much more liberal in my approach to the world. But I thought that every one should be privileged to know the facts that I knew, so I loved discussing hot topics. Husband would get so angry with me, because, well, because he can be irrational. Not in that he tries to circumvent facts, but that he doesn't always let facts tell him what to do or think.
[Screeeeeeech!] WHAT!? HOLD THE PHONE!! FACTS ARE EVERYTHING!!! YOU CAN'T BE RIGHT IF YOU DON'T HAVE FACTS TO BACK YOU UP!!
After a while, I got used to his resistance, but I could see my influence spreading over him slowly and on an evolutionary timescale. SEE? Facts really are the end-all, even for the irrational.
But hold the phone! Today, irrationality reigned. And I am sad. A student called in who wanted to attend seminary at LU.
"Have I been accepted yet?" {he's called in 4 times over the last 4 days. Acceptance takes 5-10 business days}
<No, they are reviewing your file for a decision. It should be made by the end of the week.>
"Well, I don't understand how I can be conditionally accepted and not fully accepted." {This has already been explained to him twice.}
<Full acceptance is based on the receipt of all admissions requirements and a decision by our committee. Conditional acceptance is awarded to all students once they've applied. I can register you now. Would you like to?>
"So being an alumni doesn't put me at the front of the line?"
<No.>
"Another delay will be the evaluation of my Princeton Theological Seminary transcripts." {I look at the file. We don't have these.} "I can't get started until these have been evaluted."
<We don't have those yet. When did you request them?>
{My question is apparently perturbing.} "Well, of course I didn't request them yet, since someone at your school told me to wait until I graduated. And now you're telling me differently!"
{cut him off right there. Idiot.} <Actually, sir, I didn't tell you anything. I asked when you requested them. I was not aware of your graduation date.>
"I graduate Saturday."
<Sir, the fact that we do not have the transcripts leads me to think you will want to register before they are evaluated. Summer registration deadline is June 4th, and that's only about three weeks away.>
"Well, now I am perturbed."
<Why, sir?>
"Because I have another school who said they'll evaluate my transcripts as soon as they get them and let me into summer courses."
<Sir, we will do the same. However, we don't have your transcripts, which you won't send until after graduation at the end of the week, and they need to be mailed, and then evaluated. It may not happen in time.>
"Well, not only am I perturbed, I am now confused."
<What can I clarify for you, Sir?>
"I don't understand why it takes you three or four weeks to evaluate a transcript."
<It actually does not. It takes one week. But if you graduate May 19th, then request the transcripts on the next business day, we won't receive them until the 25th ot the 29th due to the holiday, and that leaves less than five business days for their evaluation. Thus, you may end up needing to register before the evaluation is complete.>
"Well, apparently it doesn't matter because you won't even accept me."
<Actually, sir, you can register whether you're fully accepted or not, so it does matter.>
"So, you're not going to accept me then?"
<No, sir. I did not say that. I said that you can register regardless of whether the committee has made a decision or not.>
"Well, this other school accepted me right away."
<Okay.>
"Why does it take so long for you to do it?"
<Our process allows 5-10 business days. That is just the way it is.>
"Well, maybe I'll go to this other school then, since they'll let me into their summer courses!"
<Sir, we are also letting you in.Unfortunately, you have made the decision to defer registering for courses until an evaluation is complete.>
"Well, what kind of service is that?"
{Silence lingers for a second.} <Sir, what would you like me to do for you?>
"Well, you can evaluate my transcripts!!!"
<I assure you, we will, sir, once they are received. We will also be happy to register you regardless of whether they are evaluated, or whether you are fully accepted. We can help you pick out courses you know you haven't taken yet. Most students go this route>
"I just think it's ridiculous that you haven't made your decision yet. I don't understand why I am not fully accepted!"
<Sir, the decision takes 5-10 business days, as an entire committee must deliberate to make a decision on multiple files. And because of the time frame, we have offered you conditional acceptance so you can get started. Unfortunately, since you aren't registering until after your transcripts are evaluated, and we don't have your transcripts, your admissions status doesn't matter.>
"I cannot fathom why you cannot guarantee those transcripts will be evaluated."
<Actually, Sir, I can. Your transcripts will be evaluated as soon as we receive them. What I cannot guarantee is the time period, as this depends solely on you and your school.>
"Well, that is just stupid! I guess I'll just go to the other school, as they will let me register for summer."
<That is certainly your prerogative, but please keep in mind I would be happy to register you for classes at any time.>
"I bet you would."
Click.
Do you think it is signifant that this was a seminary student?
"Young lady, you have a beautiful ring on that finger of yours." -- elderly woman at the chiropractor's office.
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