School that accepted me emailed for an update on my decision status. I'm still waiting on one school. Is that bad?

[RGO]

I got accepted to one of my top schools. It is my first acceptance out of 8 (which I haven't heard from yet). I have one more really good school I would like to hear back before making the final decision on this school, though, but if that falls through I will definitely accept at the first school despite the others. It really has everything I'm looking for and I can't imagine going anywhere else. The school I'm waiting for is also a top, but also a very reputable program. I know my chances of getting in are slim, but I don't want to squander the opportunity to consider the two in case I get in by some crazy chance.

I didn't respond to my acceptance letter, but today the department chair emailed me and wanted to know if I had any updates on my decision. She said she at least wanted me to confirm I received the application. I apologized for the delay in getting back to her, and I also expressed that I wanted to wait on one more school before making my final decision. I also mentioned that I am very excited about their program and I will more than likely accept their offer - I just want to hear back about the other school's decision before going forward with them. Now I'm kind of paranoid that this wasn't a great thing to say, but it is the truth, and I don't want to leave her hanging not knowing what my status is going to be until I decide to accept or decline. Is it okay to tell the accepting school that you're still waiting on another decision? I told her I am very interested in the program, so hopefully that shows I am not going to just blow them off. But I also don't want to waste the opportunity to hear back from the other school as well.

I am not as invested in the other school in terms of location or style, necessarily. The one I got accepted to is perfect for location and the style of writing I'm focused on, but the one I'm waiting on is a more reputable program in a bigger city. I feel like I have already decided, but I also don't want to jump the gun on it without giving it enough consideration.

She actually just replied and said she was glad I got the acceptance and gave me a little more details about the open house. I guess I'm just paranoid, but I want to make sure that it didn't look badly on me for telling her I'm still waiting. I assume they hear that a lot, though.

Also, is it okay for me to contact the other school to see what their updates are in terms of sending out decisions or should I wait? I haven't seen anything on forums, and this is a school where I know there would be at least a few people posting about acceptances or rejections. There are rumors they are going to send decisions in March, but the open house is in March, too, and I would like to go if possible. Any advice?

[FishNerd]

I think it is perfectly acceptable to say that before you make any final decisions you would like to hear back on your other applications.

Also if you want to reach out to your other school(s) then do so. I think that should be okay too as long as you phrase it right. In that email to your other school(s) I would reiterate your continued interest in their school and ask when you might hear more, since, if possible, you would like to visit the school sooner rather than later to aid in your decision making.

[TakeruK]

You are fine. No one expects you to only have one application in the works and it is generally expected that every applicant has some other schools they are also interested in. That's why the question "where else are you considering" is so common on interviews and visits and that's why schools have visits to try to convince you that they are the best choice for you!

Some people might have chose to phrase things in different ways but it seems like what you said was fine. 

For the other school, I don't think you need to do anything right now because it doesn't seem like the first school is putting any pressure on you to decide. I would just wait unless you needed to know sooner for some reason. Possible reasons are: first school wants you to decide sooner, the two schools are close together so you want to plan a single trip to visit both places, you have very important other things happening in March/April that you can't miss so you want to put aside some dates for that school now. Otherwise, just hang tight, tell the first school that you are very excited for the trip and wait and see what happens. If/when you get the second offer, then it's time to make a decision.

Also, if at this point you are sure that you will pick the school you have an offer from over the other 6 schools not mentioned, then it's also a good idea to contact these other 6 schools and ask to withdraw your application. But if you will still consider them then don't do this just yet. It might be wise to wait until you visit the first school in person before making any permanent decisions about the other 6 schools (sometimes things are very different in person than on paper!)