Comment by sam537

I am close to some of these institutions and it pains me to hear the trouble you had just getting an answer a yes or no answer or getting your paperwork checked for eligibility. In large institutions there is not only an institutional culture but a Department-specific culture (as crazy as that sounds!). I am lucky to be part of a Department that has a immediate attention and transfer attitude from leadership and it permeates down to the faculty and next-day appointment slots are kept open and things accommodated.

I wish you the best, and it makes me want to work even harder to hear about the challenges we still face.