Accepted into backup choice(need to be there early April), but top choice results will come in March #Torn

[CherryBlossomGirl]

So...First post ever.

FYI some basic info - applying for Msc. in Europe - Political Science and Social Science related programs.

I just got accepted into my backup choice, full ride scholarship included. Yes I am very very happy and excited, yet because it is my backup choice I did not feel that rush of adrenaline that I was hoping for. A voice in my head tells me that if I settle for that (a uni wich is top 600 in Europe) im settling for less. However, another part of me fully acknowledges just how important a full ride scholarship is and how it still is a top 50 under 50 uni and that it IS a big deal and an actual accomplishment.

Now, for the actual advice. I need to accept or decline the offer within the next 3 weeks, and if I accept I must take 6 months of preparatory language classes starting the first week of april. However, the results of my top choices be out between mid-February and mid-March. So, what if I get accepted into my top choice and then have to refuse the offer to my back up choice just a week or two before the language courses? I would feel like I have robbed the opportunity of someone who maybe got waitlisted because of me, yet if I get into my top choice why wouldn't I take it, I mean it is my dream.

[lovekilledinos]

It's considerate of you to not want to rob someone of that very opportunity! Though I'd say, at the risk of sounding callous as hell, that it's the time to be cutthroat and not worry about the other guy. This is your life and these are the opportunities being presented to you. Don't feel guilty for doing what is best for you. 

[CherryBlossomGirl]

17 hours ago, lovekilledinos said:

It's considerate of you to not want to rob someone of that very opportunity! Though I'd say, at the risk of sounding callous as hell, that it's the time to be cutthroat and not worry about the other guy. This is your life and these are the opportunities being presented to you. Don't feel guilty for doing what is best for you. 

Thank you for your words! In other forum they told me this was a grey area, but that also in the end I should seek what its best for me as academia is also a bussines relationship. Now just gotta wait out until I hear from my top choices and must decided when to quit my current job.

I can honestly say no one warned me about all the decisions I would face in my road to grad school. 

[xxxxxxxxxx]

On 1/24/2019 at 3:04 PM, lovekilledinos said:

Don't feel guilty for doing what is best for you. 

A mood. ?

In a similar situation as OP with several acceptances, but definitely going to wait it out and make the best decision after comparing across programs.