Director is not responding to my emails

[Dharma]

Approximately one month ago, I recevied an email from the director of my first choice program saying 'congratulations, this is an informal email to let you know we have recommended you for graduate school and we can offer you a half-time graduate assistantship. You will be receiving official notification of your acceptance from the graduate school soon.' I was in touch with the director a few times and asked more about the funding information. They had responded a few times stating they have funding for me and might be able to find more funding for me; however, once I received my official acceptance from the graduate school, I emailed the director inquiring when I will be receiving the official letter about funding in the mail. I havent heard back from the director or another professor I was in touch with for over three weeks. I have emailed them two to three times with no response.

I have another university that has offered me funding and would like to take this offer; however, the school above is my number one choice. I am starting to get the feeling that something is going on with the school above. I cannot make a final decision without an official offer of funding.

I am thinking about calling the director of the program tomorrow since the April 15th deadline is fast approaching. I feel uncomfortable about the entire situation and I dont know what to say on the phone, especially since two professors have received two or three of my emails in the past three weeks without any response. Has this happened to anyone?

I would appreciate any input or very direct suggestions of what you would recommend I do.

Edited April 12, 2010 by Dharma

[PhdWannabee]

I would definitely call them. Don't feel uncomfortable though; you can let them know that they are your first choice (hence your emails), but you can't accept without an official offer of funding. Though it may seem that they are being evasive, academic types tend to be bad at returning calls or emails (the archetypal absentminded professor). You have nothing to be afraid of in calling. Now if the 15th comes without getting any kind of formal offer, that is a really difficult situation. I would probably accept the formal offer and funding from the other program (to be safe). If program #1 comes through with a formal offer of funding, then ask to be released from your acceptance of #2's offer. Not an ideal situation, but ultimately you need to be safe when it comes to offers of funding. Best of luck!

[Dharma]

I would definitely call them. Don't feel uncomfortable though; you can let them know that they are your first choice (hence your emails), but you can't accept without an official offer of funding. Though it may seem that they are being evasive, academic types tend to be bad at returning calls or emails (the archetypal absentminded professor). You have nothing to be afraid of in calling. Now if the 15th comes without getting any kind of formal offer, that is a really difficult situation. I would probably accept the formal offer and funding from the other program (to be safe). If program #1 comes through with a formal offer of funding, then ask to be released from your acceptance of #2's offer. Not an ideal situation, but ultimately you need to be safe when it comes to offers of funding. Best of luck!

Thanks for writing. I will call them tomorrow. I did tell them that it was my first choice nearly a month ago. At that time, they were emailing me nearly one or two days after my requests. They said they are pleased it is my top choice in email and I havent heard anything for about three weeks. It feels strange because I havent received any replies from two professors who were working together to help me with funding.