Hello everyone!

,

I started a shop two days ago that required me to go to an online university's site to request program info for the BA of Nutritional Science program to become a registered dietician as my career goal. The instructions said very specifically not the respond to automated calls or texts; the purpose was to test to see if they would reliably make live calls to speak to prospective students. If I missed the call, I would return it - they were to leave a voice mail.

The following is a summary of the events but in no way an exaggeration.

The admissions person called me 2x, but never left a VM. As per the instructions, I rooted through my missed call log and found a number that appears a few times over the last few days and called it. My call was answered by a machine asking me to hold for the next admissions advisor, That's when Rod answered my call.

I think (side note) I expected the number belonged to an individual advisor who I had been assigned to and either my phone number triggered my info to pop up or I'd provide it for him to look it up. Apparently, I should have had lower expectations,

Rod simply said, "Thanks for calling admissions, this is Rod." That was it. This was followed by a brief uncomfortable silence. I spoke up and said: 'Hi. I submitted a wed inquiry the other day and I'm pretty sure I missed the call back. (no response) uh... they called a few times, but never left a message, so I kinda just guessed this was the number. ( still nothing ) Hello?

At this point I am so caught off guard with this interaction, that I have no idea what to say.

Rod finally says, "Well, what is it you want to do?"

"uh, well, I want to be a registered Dietician..."

-here's where it gets stupid

Rod says, "Have you looked into the program requirements for that?"

All I can say is ....huh?

He continues, "Well, it's a lot of work. You'll need a master's in Nutritional Science and finish 1200 hours of internship. Start calling around local colleges and start that way."

again, ....huh?

"Yeah, we don't do that here. Look around and make sure the are Asend Accredited programs otherwise you'll just be wasting your time."

Me: "Sooo... you don't offer that here?"

R: "No. We have programs for Nutrition or special populations, you know, like for old people, Nutritional analysis, even some holistic type stuff, but we don't do that."

Me: Ooook... I thought...

R: we're just an online college, we don't do anything like that. (I'm attending an online college program for a master's in psych - they set me up with an internship... but whatever)

Me: Welll, thanks I guess. I appreciate your help.

R: Ok. Have a good one.

He never asked me what my name was, when I enquired, nothing. Overall, he basically sounded like he was trying discourage my pursuit, brush me off, and tell me to call someone else. I wrote it up. I'm hoping it doesn't get rejected... As hard as I tried, it just sounds like I made it all up.

I mean, seriously, Rod... Why even answer the phone? It was so bad I completely lost my train of thought and blew it...but given the conversation, should someone retrieve it, it would be clear as to why.

Anyone else experience anything like this?

For the call back part I usually tell them I'm just getting out of the car and going inside but need to bring some groceries in and ask if I can call back in two minutes.

Melissa_15726777331363 @ Apr 20, 2024, 2:30:37 AM

Hello everyone!

,

I started a shop two days ago that required me to go to an online university's site to request program info for the BA of Nutritional Science program to become a registered dietician as my career goal. The instructions said very specifically not the respond to automated calls or texts; the purpose was to test to see if they would reliably make live calls to speak to prospective students. If I missed the call, I would return it - they were to leave a voice mail.

The following is a summary of the events but in no way an exaggeration.

The admissions person called me 2x, but never left a VM. As per the instructions, I rooted through my missed call log and found a number that appears a few times over the last few days and called it. My call was answered by a machine asking me to hold for the next admissions advisor, That's when Rod answered my call.

I think (side note) I expected the number belonged to an individual advisor who I had been assigned to and either my phone number triggered my info to pop up or I'd provide it for him to look it up. Apparently, I should have had lower expectations,

Rod simply said, "Thanks for calling admissions, this is Rod." That was it. This was followed by a brief uncomfortable silence. I spoke up and said: 'Hi. I submitted a wed inquiry the other day and I'm pretty sure I missed the call back. (no response) uh... they called a few times, but never left a message, so I kinda just guessed this was the number. ( still nothing ) Hello?

At this point I am so caught off guard with this interaction, that I have no idea what to say.

Rod finally says, "Well, what is it you want to do?"

"uh, well, I want to be a registered Dietician..."

-here's where it gets stupid

Rod says, "Have you looked into the program requirements for that?"

All I can say is ....huh?

He continues, "Well, it's a lot of work. You'll need a master's in Nutritional Science and finish 1200 hours of internship. Start calling around local colleges and start that way."

again, ....huh?

"Yeah, we don't do that here. Look around and make sure the are Asend Accredited programs otherwise you'll just be wasting your time."

Me: "Sooo... you don't offer that here?"

R: "No. We have programs for Nutrition or special populations, you know, like for old people, Nutritional analysis, even some holistic type stuff, but we don't do that."

Me: Ooook... I thought...

R: we're just an online college, we don't do anything like that. (I'm attending an online college program for a master's in psych - they set me up with an internship... but whatever)

Me: Welll, thanks I guess. I appreciate your help.

R: Ok. Have a good one.

He never asked me what my name was, when I enquired, nothing. Overall, he basically sounded like he was trying discourage my pursuit, brush me off, and tell me to call someone else. I wrote it up. I'm hoping it doesn't get rejected... As hard as I tried, it just sounds like I made it all up.

I mean, seriously, Rod... Why even answer the phone? It was so bad I completely lost my train of thought and blew it...but given the conversation, should someone retrieve it, it would be clear as to why.

Anyone else experience anything like this?

Hi, I have never done these types of shops so I can't help with it. I will try one because based on your post it seems interesting. Thanks

AZCross @ Apr 20, 2024, 9:21:02 PM

For the call back part I usually tell them I'm just getting out of the car and going inside but need to bring some groceries in and ask if I can call back in two minutes.

I love that idea! Thanks!

Sounds like you did all you could. Please let us know the response you receive.