Expert: Susie Watts - 8/15/2007

Question
Hi Susie:  My name is Nicki Ferrari.  I lost my job to a foreign country.  I am an ex Sony Electronics worker.  Because of that I have qualified for funded training under the Trade Act of 2002.  I have attended community colleges her for about 6 years but never getting a degree because I kept changing my major.  But as you can imagine, I have accrued a lot of credits.  I applied to this same college and they will not admit me because my records are under the name of my first husband.  That in itself is wrong because my name was Ferrari-Lindberg.  I specifically kept my maiden name beccause I thought I could run into transcript problems.  Well I have been married and ivorced again since, but for the past 11 years I have been just using my maiden name.  It is on my Bank account, all of my benefit packages, MY work at Sony was under Nicki Ferrari.  Still, I cannot get this college to recognize it and I really want my earned credits.  Time is of the essence.  I am right at the deadline point for this funded training program.  I explained this situation to my Trade Act counselor via email but I think he may be on vacation as I have not heard from him.  What should I do?  Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.  Thank you  Nicki Ferrari

Answer
I would go directly to the admissions office at this school and ask to speak to the director of admissions.  You should have all documentation with your different names on it and make it clear that you are the same person and explain your situation.  If you are not successful there, contact the head of student affairs and explain the same thing.  Someone there needs to listen to you and help you through this situation.  Don't quit until you get the records you need.