TheAbsurdLife

Hi Disco,
Thank you for your rather impassioned and mildly antagonistic response, but nonetheless, I took responsibility several times within what I wrote. I did make that choice and it was clearly a mistaken one: my opinion was mainly based on what others have said on these boards, and I was wondering if this was legitimate, or as you said, rationalization (or, more likely and a much less assumptive conclusion, just simply untrue for any variety of reasons unknown to either of us.) I'm afraid I don't see any overt "nonsense rationalization" in what I wrote though, but if that is what you read into it, feel free. I'm not sure if the premises add up to the conclusion in your logic. Also, I did like the program, and explicitly said why I accepted the offer, so did you need to ask the question? Or was that rhetorical? -  no, anything of value you said in the final paragraph, which was really all I needed. Leave this sort of rhetoric for Buzzzfeed and I would suggest just relaxing a bit.  Come on "Boo hoo"?
 

Hi Disco,
Thank you for your rather impassioned and mildly antagonistic response, but nonetheless, I took responsibility several times within what I wrote. I did make that choice and it was clearly a mistaken one: my opinion was mainly based on what others have said on these boards, and I was wondering if this was legitimate, or as you said, rationalization (or, more likely and a much less assumptive conclusion, just simply untrue for any variety of reasons unknown to either of us.) I'm afraid I don't see any overt "nonsense rationalization" in what I wrote though, but if that is what you read into it, feel free. I'm not sure if the premises add up to the conclusion in your logic. Also, I did like the program, and explicitly said why I accepted the offer, so did you need to ask the question? Or was that rhetorical? -  no, anything of value you said in the final paragraph, which was really all I needed. Leave this sort of rhetoric for Buzzzfeed and I would suggest just relaxing a bit.  Come on "Boo hoo"?
 

Apologies, FuzzyLogician, I applied this question on two different message boards and thought I had thanked you (I thank you) - although I did receive much different answers on ethics from other boards because of the April 15th resolution that all of my prospective schools signed. For most, it seemed like a very firm no on whether it was an ethical infraction. It doesn't seem to be a universal opinion that the ethics of the situation is a problem since it has been clearly laid out beforehand, but yes, it seems that sometimes a bridge may be burned, which is an unfortunate choice to have to make.
And I'm actually not sure of the helpfulness of the 2nd poster, he just seemed very antagonistic which wasn't something I encountered on other online message boards when the same questions were being asked. I guess that was why I was confused, other people on here seem to behave civilly - he seemed to be furious. I took accountability and I don't think there was enough information to pull the justification/rationalization argument out. In fact, it was hardly applicable. Frankly, most of what he wrote was more of an attack than anything else, which I didn't realize was the point of this website? Regardless, I appreciate your advice.
P.S. I typed the original post on my phone so yeah, it is not going to be perfect.
I will let you know what happens, though I certainly can't update you yet since I just asked the question.
And what would anyone like to know since I am the one making the inquiry? Nobody has asked me to help them out - what were you thinking of in regards to that question? Or are you talking historical? I just joined this site, so I haven't had much time to wander around. I can offer advice where needed, but I just don't see how I am supposed to help others in this context... you know, with me asking the question. With that being said, if you know anyone whom I could help with information, please let me know and I would surely offer it in a much more congenial way than on this thread.
Anyway, I do truly appreciate the information you have offered, even the last paragraph from Disco. So I thank you both for the constructive information you did offer, but you could have left out the rest. I do not appreciate the over excess of attitude and presumption, not tone, these were assumptions, and Disco needs to gain some self-awareness before he tries to analyze any online poster from who knows how many miles away. A lot of unnecessary sass for what seems to be an extremely  common question and  an extremely common situation to find oneself in.
 
 

Disco,
Last message because I feel like I'm stooping by being this petty: "cry me a river." Great, another generic statement, which you seem quite adept at making (I guess we all have limitations...) Did you not read what I posted at all? I do not believe that this was  "cry me river" post. It was an inquiry into the proper ethical action to take. I think the talk of rationalizing and justifications is pretty typical of what many people do: they project themselves into the circumstance, and conclude that the person's motives would be the same as their own (clearly, for you this would entail a great deal of justifying and rationalizing)  if they were in their place. Nice to gain some insight into your inner psyche though, amusing and typical as it may be.

Disco,
I just noticed the last line to your post, I can't help but wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the way you interpret language and other people. It seems you're not even making an effort to be accurate, or to even offer evidence to your analysis of my intentions. You're just rolling with what works, like a 5 year old child - they do that too. And btw Disco, where is your evidence of this sympathy and affirmation I crave? Where is this in my original response? I'm guessing you're going to have to do some stretching with your interpretation, but a little hard work and purposeful ignorance and mental gymnastics and you'll get there. Your interpretation of my motives had nothing to do with my question which was on ethics, and I have to ask: what are you doing on this website if you are only here to antagonize? You're barely even bothering to answer the question. Do you need to feel superior to others? Is that why you project, like you did just again? And like you did earlier? Putting yourself in my shoes and imagining that if it were you, you would undoubtedly be seeking sympathy and affirmation, rationalization and justification for all your deeds, even the ones you are responsible for? And I am responsible for accepting that decision letter, but I never made any claim to the contrary.
Finding out what is proper and what is not during the admissions process isn't easy, especially since you only apply once, and trying to determine if you were treated fairly (which I now know I was, because I asked) seems like a proper course of action. I'm finding out a good deal about you - this is both annoying and intriguing at the same time. Seriously, take a week off from whatever you do, look inward, and stop projecting your own weaknesses onto others. I thanked you for providing very little information, yet you still can't help yourself. Why? The bitterness inherent in the "boo hoo" led me to believe that it may be because you did not get into a program that you desired? Because someone got picked right over you? These are assumptions as well of course, but I can't help but wonder where your personal offense comes from; however, I do know you are an extremely insecure person to attack someone for very little. Sad, I will offer you sympathy and affirmation, because, quite simply, that is what YOU want. Not me, I just want a question answered about April 15th college deadlines and ethics.  Anyway, I really did intend to end it with the last message, but like a child, especially one who constantly seeks sympathy and affirmation, desires justification and rationalization to explain one's actions, you just couldn't help yourself in getting a last word. Seriously, there are a lot of boards online where people want nothing more than to treat each other horribly, can we keep this treatment off more serious websites such as this?

Disco,
I just noticed the last line to your post, I can't help but wonder if there is something seriously wrong with the way you interpret language and other people. It seems you're not even making an effort to be accurate, or to even offer evidence to your analysis of my intentions. You're just rolling with what works, like a 5 year old child - they do that too. And btw Disco, where is your evidence of this sympathy and affirmation I crave? Where is this in my original response? I'm guessing you're going to have to do some stretching with your interpretation, but a little hard work and purposeful ignorance and mental gymnastics and you'll get there. Your interpretation of my motives had nothing to do with my question which was on ethics, and I have to ask: what are you doing on this website if you are only here to antagonize? You're barely even bothering to answer the question. Do you need to feel superior to others? Is that why you project, like you did just again? And like you did earlier? Putting yourself in my shoes and imagining that if it were you, you would undoubtedly be seeking sympathy and affirmation, rationalization and justification for all your deeds, even the ones you are responsible for? And I am responsible for accepting that decision letter, but I never made any claim to the contrary.
Finding out what is proper and what is not during the admissions process isn't easy, especially since you only apply once, and trying to determine if you were treated fairly (which I now know I was, because I asked) seems like a proper course of action. I'm finding out a good deal about you - this is both annoying and intriguing at the same time. Seriously, take a week off from whatever you do, look inward, and stop projecting your own weaknesses onto others. I thanked you for providing very little information, yet you still can't help yourself. Why? The bitterness inherent in the "boo hoo" led me to believe that it may be because you did not get into a program that you desired? Because someone got picked right over you? These are assumptions as well of course, but I can't help but wonder where your personal offense comes from; however, I do know you are an extremely insecure person to attack someone for very little. Sad, I will offer you sympathy and affirmation, because, quite simply, that is what YOU want. Not me, I just want a question answered about April 15th college deadlines and ethics.  Anyway, I really did intend to end it with the last message, but like a child, especially one who constantly seeks sympathy and affirmation, desires justification and rationalization to explain one's actions, you just couldn't help yourself in getting a last word. Seriously, there are a lot of boards online where people want nothing more than to treat each other horribly, can we keep this treatment off more serious websites such as this?