THE BERKSHIRE CENTER - COLLEGE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM [CIP] Accepted application and fee with age on it- requested assorted documents - 2 months later denied for age no refund false marketing LEE Massachusetts
My application for my son was accepted young adult high functioning autism 29 years old. Sent back all requested pertinent documents. Some research went back more then ten years. Sent a current Weschel Adult Intelligence Scale Evaluation. I kept sending e-mails for updates that were not being acknowledged.
Finally two months later I get a e-mail from Carolyn Wheeler, National Admissions Director. She said she spoke in detail with the program director, executive director and admissions coordinator and they were all in agreement he was too old. She said they cannot have 20 year old students with 29 year olds.
I was devastated this was his chance to make a difference in his future. he would be taught independent living. I pleaded, begged and cried to please reconsider. He is high functioning autism needing minimal supervision. She said why would you want him with 20 year olds. I said he is there to learn not get married. I said my son has friends of all ages.
She said anyway he has autism and this is for aspergers. I said your web site has autism She said sorry for misleading you I will have that changed. I have a printout of their web page then. Some pages still have autism.
Their website said: Admission process -typically 18 to 25 years old - does not say required age. It says all students will receive a phone call regarding programming and student needs that did not happen until application was denied and that was me calling them. It said all applicants will get an Interview on campus with admissions committee. director, executive director, clinical director, academic dean, vocational liaison and residential coordinator-that never happened they would not even talk with him on the phone Their web site said they do not discriminate against age, race, religion. I have the printouts. Since then they removed the word age.
They knew his age on his application. They would not give me a refund.
That is not even the issue. They prevented my son from attending a program that can improve his quality of life and he was denied without the opportunity to be interviewed. Someone stop them from destroying hopes and dreams. How many people do they take their money the deny their application for false reasons. Is this place actually there or are they a made up web site?
Respectfully
Mother of adult son with autism
STIRLING, New Jersey
U.S.A.