April 15th LEGALLY binding?

[LTee]

I just read in another post that if you have accepted a position a school, then its legally binding after April 15th? Is this true? Im still waiting to hear on another school that may or may not let know after the date. How exactly can you be legally binded to attending a school EVEN if you have accepted? I understand all the logistics of accepting and then deciding not to go (waitlisted folks, funding, etc.) but still

[ebaronov]

http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/CGS_Resolution.pdf

Basically if you accept an offer and wish to change your mind after april 15th you need to obtain a written release from the school before accepting other offers.

[A. Colin]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you'd only need the school's acceptance of withdrawal if you were offered financial support in the way of grants, fellowship, etc. Yes? At least that's how the linked PDF reads.

So, if you aren't offered free money, then you do not need your school's permission to withdraw and subsequently accept an offer from another program.

Thoughts?

[shakespearebro]

I agree. No funding means no obligation. You can decide the day before registration.

[robinsparkles]

I was wondering the same thing. I have 2 acceptances now with April 15th deadlines, but my top choice program has made it pretty clear that decisions won't be sent out until late April/early May. I'm not getting any funding wherever I go (since I'm applying to a terminal MA program) so it seems like it wouldn't be such a big deal to accept one of my current offers, and then change my decision later if I get into my top choice.

Has anyone done something like this before? I'm curious if the school gives you a hard time or if they even care.

[BongRips69]

I just read in another post that if you have accepted a position a school, then its legally binding after April 15th? Is this true?

I'm looking at my letter from U Delaware, it says "Graduate Student Contractual Agreement". It's basically an employment contract. At University of California, I believe graduate assistants are covered under a collective bargaining agreement. If you don't sign before 15 April, the offer is usually rescinded. If you do sign, then you've signed a contract!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_student_unionization

As others have said, if you're not getting any financial aid then there is no obligation.

[Postbib Yeshuist]

http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/CGS_Resolution.pdf

Basically if you accept an offer and wish to change your mind after april 15th you need to obtain a written release from the school before accepting other offers.

I'm not sure that is considered legally binding as it's a resolution. The letter itself should have the contractual obligations. I believe his resolution is more to say "we all work together and will screw you if you try to play us."

Edited March 30, 2010 by Postbib Yeshuist

[cesada]

I think being honest will go a long way here. Just tell them that you are still waiting for other schools, and ask whether or not they will release you from your contract if you get in somewhere that is a better fit. (Obviously ask this in a very tactful manner - "I'm so excited about your program, but I am still weighing other options, etc.") I have done this, and received a very good response. The competition was so strong this year, it's not like they don't have other students lined up who would love to go to their program... and they want students who are excited to be there, not students who were held there by some legal maneuver.