The Conundrum

I had already started connecting with some future classmates, and soon began connecting with past graduates and current students. Not a single international student had a smooth tale to tell of their DV adventures.

I decided I better hustle. Ms. Spedicato told me to get a letter from Ryerson stating that on the basis of my academic achievement at my high school in Nova Scotia I was admitted, enrolled and graduated with a degree from Ryerson.

Why did they not just accept my degree itself you ask? Valid question and one that baffled me as well. Well, I heard (I think from Alessandro if I remember right) that they needed to validate the fact that I actually went to high school. Well how would you get a degree without having gone to high school anyway you ask? In Canada you can go to University as a mature student and on the basis of your career achievements, so there is the opportunity and a possibility of you being accepted without ever having been to high school. However, in Italy apparently (second hand knowledge) you cannot attend University without having gone to high school. The DV is basically a Declaration of Value for your academic or professional work and because the Italian Government does not recognise Nova Scotian high school records, I had to get this special letter from Ryerson stating that I was accepted to Ryerson with a legitimate high school diploma that they validated enough to accept me into the program.

The Conundrum: Why did the Italian consulate require all this documentation AFTER I had already been accepted into the MBA program and AFTER I had already paid them my deposit which confirmed my seat in the program. If the University had already accepted my application, photocopy of my degree, original transcripts sealed by Ryerson University and deemed me worthy enough of a seat in the program, then why did the consulate need all these documents AND more!?....the answer would eventually be revealed.