thenewkidaw71

Also, not super helpful, but I would respond soon.  If he's going through all the extra effort of securing you funding, the expectations are only going to rise higher the more time and effort he invests in your accepting.
I sympathize.  I really do.  I've basically decided on one school, but the program director at the school I'm planning on turning down has been so kind and vocal about his wanting me in the program (he even offered me an incentive scholarship this afternoon) that I'm seriously second guessing my decision.  It's not the ego boost so much as how personable and supportive he's been.  That's the kind of program director you want to work with and have your back, you know?  It doesn't help that the two schools are basically even as far as the pros and cons of each program.  It basically came down to location appeal and how that would affect my future writing.  (I'm applying to creative writing MFAs.)

Hi all,
I have made a decision with schools, and now I am working on notifying everybody of my decisions. This is not a problem for the most part; however, I am struggling with informing one very enthusiastic professor about my decision. I feel bad because he is at a school in the UK and has been working on grant funding for me to join his lab, and he has been very enthusiastic about me as a student. It was a really great situation, and their research is a great fit, but I ultimately decided that I wanted to remain within the US system.
I know that the answer is that I am under no obligation to join his lab, but I know he has invested a lot of time in me, and I want to avoid burning a bridge as best as I can. I feel bad because this was partially my fault - this was one of my first choices in November, and I told him as much. This situation changed because my funding package in the UK sort of sucked, and I found out about a new professor at one of my admitted schools in the US that aligns better with my interests. Does anybody have any experience/warnings/reassurance that they can provide? I am sure he is aware that I have other options, but it is just a bit daunting because of his enthusiasm.