millionrubios

@PHILOKEV Okay, that makes sense. I think I was just unsure because the department seemed to really want me to keep them in the loop on how things progress where I felt almost pressured to commit to keeping them updated. At the time I felt really good and happy that they were this interested and outright said I would let them know any news I get, but after a little while I started to feel like I shouldn't have been that agreeable and should have been more vague because now I feel like I promised something I shouldn't have ?. I just didn't know if it was looked down upon to not fully update a school who you said you would update (obviously excluding if you knew 100% you were going to turn them and go somewhere else, but that isn't the case I am wondering about). I didn't want to feel guilty that I didn't tell them every time I got a rejection or something (which is how I feel a little bit even though I guess I shouldn't). I guess I just feel like I put myself in a position I am not sure how to approach

Greetings @millionrubios.  I would not worry too much about what you have already disclosed to this department.  First, congratulations on your admission!  Just remember that you are one among probably 4-6 out of hundreds who were offered a spot.  This should be for you both validating and humbling, concomitantly.  Second, I was admitted into a Philo PhD program a year ago and experienced the same line of questioning during the admissions phone call.  My response was a bit of a bluff to be honest [to be honest about being dishonest...].  I said that I was waitlisted in a few departments and had yet to hear from a few more.  The truth is that I was at that time on just one waitlist, and I believe I perhaps had just one university to hear back from.  Regardless of this white lie, departments usually give the admitted student a specific amount of time to mull the decision over.  For me, it was two weeks; I took just one day.  If you do not know how much time this department will afford you to make a decision, you need to email or call the person who contacted you and make sure that you know precisely how much time you can take.  Obviously, if you know for sure you will not be accepting the offer, decline asap.  But do not assume anything.  If I were in the position of having a few applications for top-tier schools out there in the mix while being admitted to a middle tier university that is demanding I make a decision within a two-week period of time, for example, I would personally take the full two weeks and hope that the better schools exclude or accept me within that time frame.  If, however, I had not heard back from those top schools, perhaps I would get in contact with them just to inquire about my status.  If I then find that I am on a waitlist for two or three really good schools, I would try to learn where I am on those waitlists [high or low or not sure], and then consider accepting the current offer at the lower-tier university as a hedge.  Remember, this is a one time shot; and although some feel it is a violation of common decorum to arbitrage like this, if you were to accept one week and politely ask to recant your acceptance the next week, most every department would certainly grant you this consideration and just move on down the list of applicants.  Anyhow, this is just my advice on the matter.  Best regards, ~ PhiloKev  

I need advice. One of the programs I was accepted to asked me to let them know if I am considering anywhere else and get any other offers. I told them about an interview I had coming up and now I am not sure if I was supposed to do that or not. They asked me to keep them updated and I said I will. I know that it is good to tell them if I have another acceptance, but what if I end up being only being waitlisted or rejected? Should I let them know since they asked me to keep them updated? Or will that look bad on me or like I am not a wanted applicant? Could it affect potential extra funding I might be up for? Should I just not tell them at all what I hear back or would that be even worse? Hopefully I am accepted and don't have to worry about it, but I feel like I may have put myself in an awkward position, unless this is what you are supposed to do? I am new to the process and have no clue how this goes.

I need advice. One of the programs I was accepted to asked me to let them know if I am considering anywhere else and get any other offers. I told them about an interview I had coming up and now I am not sure if I was supposed to do that or not. They asked me to keep them updated and I said I will. I know that it is good to tell them if I have another acceptance, but what if I end up being only being waitlisted or rejected? Should I let them know since they asked me to keep them updated? Or will that look bad on me or like I am not a wanted applicant? Could it affect potential extra funding I might be up for? Should I just not tell them at all what I hear back or would that be even worse? Hopefully I am accepted and don't have to worry about it, but I feel like I may have put myself in an awkward position, unless this is what you are supposed to do? I am new to the process and have no clue how this goes.