University admission system glitch leaves students in limbo

A technical error in the university admissions system has left several prospective students unsure of their placement, with some erroneously marked as admitted to HCMUE.

"I haven't been able to eat or sleep since yesterday, unsure about my application status. A student's future and opportunities shouldn't be treated like a joke," said Thuy Ngan, a student from TP HCM.

Ngan's total admission score for the A01 exam group was 25,667. She applied to 22 programs in Education, Economics, and Business Administration at various universities. Her top 4 choices were Primary Education at HCMUE, its Long An campus, Saigon University (SGU), and Thu Dau Mot University.

When universities released their admission scores, Ngan calculated that she hadn't been accepted into her top three choices and expected to be admitted to Thu Dau Mot University. However, HCMUE's website indicated she had been accepted. Then, on 25/8, the Ministry of Education and Training's system showed she had been rejected from all 22 programs.

HCMUE's website on 24/8 showed Thuy Ngan as admitted. Photo: Provided by the student

HCMUE's website on 25/8 showed Thuy Ngan as admitted. Photo: Provided by the student

SGU's website on 25/8 showed Thuy Ngan as admitted to HCMUE. Photo: Provided by the student

"I went to Thu Dau Mot University to inquire, and they told me I had been accepted to HCMUE as my first choice, preventing consideration for subsequent choices. SGU's system showed the same result," Ngan explained.

She then contacted HCMUE, where she was informed she had been admitted to Thu Dau Mot University as her 4th choice.

"The universities keep redirecting me, leaving me unsure where I've been accepted. I believe I wasn't accepted into HCMUE, but the system made a mistake and locked my application, preventing further consideration," Ngan said.

On 26/8, VnExpress received similar reports from almost 10 students.

Thanh Van from Binh Phuoc, with an adjusted score of 27.58, didn't meet the requirements for Geography Education and History-Geography Education at HCMUE. However, her score qualified her for admission to SGU or Ho Chi Minh City Open University.

Both universities' websites, however, indicated that she had been admitted to HCMUE. By the morning of 25/8, the Ministry's system showed that she had been rejected from all her choices.

SGU's website on 25/8 showed Thanh Van as admitted to HCMUE (school code SPS). Photo: Provided by the student

Ho Chi Minh City Open University's website on 25/8 showed Thanh Van as admitted to HCMUE (school code SPS). Photo: Provided by the student

HCMUE's website on 25/8 showed Thanh Van as rejected. Photo: Provided by the student

Anh Thu, a student from Ba Ria - Vung Tau, experienced a similar issue. With a score of 26.23 for the A01 exam group (Math, Physics, English), equivalent to 25.63 for the D01 group (Math, Literature, English), she didn't meet HCMUE's admission score of 25.9 for Primary Education but met SGU's requirement of 25.12.

SGU's system, however, showed her as admitted to HCMUE. The Ministry's system indicated rejection from all her choices.

"Tomorrow I will visit both universities to clarify the situation. My family is very disappointed and anxious," Thu said.

"The enrollment deadlines are approaching, and we are extremely worried," Thanh Van shared.

According to the Ministry of Education and Training, students must confirm their enrollment online before 5 PM on 30/8. Many universities also require students to complete a similar process on their own systems or enroll in person during August.

A representative from HCMUE, responding to VnExpress on the morning of 26/8, stated that they are working with relevant parties to resolve the issue.