A former applicant to Michigan State University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine is accusing the college of soliciting fees for application submissions, despite at times not reviewing those applications — a charge currently under investigation by the university.
The application process for prospective osteopathic medicine students starts with what’s called a "primary application," which is submitted to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, and then shared with a set of universities designated by the prospective student.
Universities can then invite applicants to submit a university-specific, "secondary application," aimed at compiling additional information about the applicant and why they're suited for the university, or a student can submit such an application of their own volition.
MSU charges a $100 submission fee to submit that secondary application.
Daniel Breese, the former COM applicant, claimed in a cease and desist letter sent Tuesday to MSU’s Office of the General Counsel that the university misleads applicants by soliciting payments for the secondary application, while not necessarily intending to ever review their application.
Breese’s letter argued that MSU doesn’t make it clear enough to applicants that those who don’t meet minimum GPA and test score requirements won’t ever have their secondary application reviewed.
That lack of clarity, Breese argued, means some applicants end up paying a fee to submit a secondary application that never had a shot of being considered in the first place. In fact, Breese’s letter alleged MSU is aware of applicants’ GPA and test scores through the primary application prior to soliciting a fee for the secondary application.
By contrast, Breese told The State News in an email that "most universities" refrain from selling secondary applications to applicants whose GPA and test scores wouldn’t meet the minimum requirements to get into the program.
"Michigan State CPA § 445.903(s) makes it a deceptive trade practice for any merchant (including MSU) to fail to reveal material facts, which may have a tendency to mislead," the letter said. "Moreover, soliciting money for services which one has no intention of ever delivering is equally unlawful."
MSU spokesperson Amber McCann said Breese filed a complaint on the matter with the university's Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance, which is now "investigating the matter in normal course."
Breese's letter asks that MSU "cease and immediately desist" from soliciting a fee for applications that it doesn’t intend to review. "Alternatively," the letter asks that MSU start more clearly disclosing COM’s minimum GPA and test score requirements so that applicants don’t pay a fee for an application that won’t be reviewed.
Breese said he doesn’t anticipate litigation on the matter will be "necessary," as he said he’s "confident MSU will address this matter in good-faith."
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