UI @ Chicago

[whitmanifesto]

I was accepted to the UIC Communications PhD program with a 3 year funding offer, but I was asked to return the "initial interest" form in 2 weeks. Is this a binding acceptance? Because I'm still waiting for Northwestern, and the conversations with the department so far have been "we're hoping to convince you to attend" we're "looking forward to you agreeing to attend" etc. They lose a lot of their first picks to NU's Rhetoric program and I was told this during my visits before applying, but I have applied there and am waiting. If I sign this interest form am I agreeing? I don't want to ask the DGS because she was the POI I am most interested in (she's great!), and don't want to ruffle feathers until I know if I will be having UIC and NU bidding for me.