PLAINVIEW, New York – A college mix-up has left a New York teenager disappointed and dumbfounded.
Andrei Aziz, 17, was told he had been admitted to a prestigious medical program, only to find out it was a mistake.
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"I got into a school," he said, "and had my future set for 7 years. It was a great feeling, and then it was all taken away from me."
CUNY School of Medicine's Sophie Davis Program sent him an acceptance letter in late March.
Aziz said the letter from the dean started off with "I am delighted to offer you admission."
More than a week later, he received a second letter apologizing and stating that the original letter was sent in error.
Andrei's mother, Suzana Jevtovic Aziz, said the news shocked her.
The school told her there was a bar code mix-up, and her son was switched with another applicant who shared his last name.
She was told the problem could not be solved by allowing both students admission.
The dean of the Sophie Davis program issued a statement, saying in part: "While we deeply regret the confusion and disappointment this error caused, we are also bound to uphold the standards."
Aziz said the toughest thing about the incident was the fact that he felt his path to college was clear.
He said he knew he wanted to be a doctor since he was about 10 years old.
Aziz believes he will find a university happy to have him, but he may wait before telling people about the admission.