RYAN J. FOLEY, Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa rejected the suspect in the Colorado movie theater shooting rampage from a graduate neuroscience program last year because he was not considered “a good personal fit,” a spokesman said Thursday.
James Holmes applied to the Iowa program in late 2010 and was given an interview on Jan. 28, 2011, according to records released by the university. Neuroscience program director Daniel Tranel wrote a strongly worded email two days later urging the admissions committee not to accept Holmes to the school.
“James Holmes: Do NOT offer admission under any circumstances,” wrote Tranel, a professor of neurology.
Psychology professor Mark Blumberg followed up with a separate email two days later to say he agreed with Tranel about Holmes, one of three students Blumberg interviewed. “Don’t admit,” he wrote about Holmes. He recommended admission for the other two.