Contacting prof again before accepting offer

[cheekymonkey]

So, I had a great interview with a prof a few weeks ago, sent some follow-up emails, etc., and just got a generous offer from the school. However, I still have other offers that I am checking out. I feel like the right thing to do is email the prof and thank him for recommending me/ tell him how excited I am about the offer, but then what do I say? It seems less than enthusiastic to say "I'm excited to come work for you...maybe." Is it better just to wait to contact him until I am sure?

Thanks guys!

[lovethequestions]

So, I had a great interview with a prof a few weeks ago, sent some follow-up emails, etc., and just got a generous offer from the school. However, I still have other offers that I am checking out. I feel like the right thing to do is email the prof and thank him for recommending me/ tell him how excited I am about the offer, but then what do I say? It seems less than enthusiastic to say "I'm excited to come work for you...maybe." Is it better just to wait to contact him until I am sure?

Thanks guys!

I think it makes sense to send him an email now, if only because it can be a good thing if schools know you got in somewhere else. You can say something like, "I'm really excited about the offer and very much appreciate your interest in me; I was admitted to a couple of other schools whose programs I'm still investigating, but I wanted you to know that your school is high on my list and I think it would be fantastic to work for you." Non-committal, but flattering--that way worst case scenario, he knows that you appreciate and value him (which is both nice for him to know and might make him remember you down the road); best case scenario, his department has grounds to say to the school, "we have this great person who needs extra convincing to come, so can we rustle up some more money from somewhere?" My understanding is that "extra" fellowships are usually awarded at the university level, and it's precisely this kind of competition that can give your department the grounds to ask for one for you. Just make it clear that the focus of the email is actually telling him that you like him and are grateful, not that you want more money.

[myrrh]

"Although I'm still waiting to hear from a restricted number of schools for a thorough consideration, the admission from your institution along is exciting enough for me"

That's how I usually say once I get an admission. After that, I would express my gratitude to the professor and ask for some details about studying at that school.