Joe sends for a MBA catalog from State University. According to the catalog, the MBA applications are evaluated on the basis of undergraduate grades, GMAT (the appropriate standardized test) scores, references, and other factors that the University, in its discretion, believes will enhance the standing of the University. Joe has a 3.1 GPA, scores very well on the GMAT, and has excellent references. Based on the criteria listed in the catalog, Joe applies and pays the $100 application fee. His application is rejected. Later he finds out that others with low grades and test scores were accepted based on their family connections with the University. If Joe followed all of the guidelines in the college catalog and paid the required application fee, then according to the court in Steinberg v. Chicago Medical School:

Joe met all the requirements the university required of course candidates that Joe would like to take. Although Joe seems to be an excellent candidate, he was not approved, while people with grades below him were proven. This sounds like an unfair case, but this was a situation where a valid contract exists, but there was no breach of that contract by the University or Joe. This is because despite Joe's selection criteria, the university stated that other criteria (chosen by the university itself) would be chosen to select candidates. Therefore it can be stated that Joe did not meet these criteria and therefore was not selected.