Exploding offers - how should I request an extension?

[STGGSD]

Hi, I recently got an exploding offer from a school (It's European, and thus not subject to the April 15th resolution). I'm happy with the offer, but I am waiting for interview results from other US schools as well. I reached out to those schools for an update, but they say they're unable to give an answer before the offer explodes. I'm trying to ask the European school for an extended deadline. What do you think is a good angle when writing my email? I'm worried I might sound like I'm likely to decline the offer if the deadline is extended.

[Eponine]

Not gonna lie, I live in Europe and I have never heard of anyone even asking for an extension, exactly for the reason you pointed out. Plus, if they have people on a waitlist, they need to be able to tell them if they got in or not before the deadline. So you're unlikely to get an extension.

However, is there any tangible consequence if you accept their offer and then back out if you find a better fit in the US? Usually, European schools ask you to pay a fee to show your commitment. Have they asked for that?

 

[STGGSD]

5 hours ago, Eponine said:

Not gonna lie, I live in Europe and I have never heard of anyone even asking for an extension, exactly for the reason you pointed out. Plus, if they have people on a waitlist, they need to be able to tell them if they got in or not before the deadline. So you're unlikely to get an extension.

However, is there any tangible consequence if you accept their offer and then back out if you find a better fit in the US? Usually, European schools ask you to pay a fee to show your commitment. Have they asked for that?

 

Thanks for sharing! I've heard that the school have given out extensions in previous years, so I thought it was worth a shot. The school didn't ask for any financial commitment or anything, but if I accept and cancel afterwards, wouldn't it get me on their bad side?

[Eponine]

It would definitely get you on their bad side. So it really comes down to: "does it matter if I'm on their bad side?" If it's a huge public university and a big program (I was at the Sorbonne and most programs accept dozens of students), it should not really matter. If it's a small program, where you've been in direct contact with the profs, and you know the profs have a lot of influence in your field, better not play with fire indeed.

If you've heard of extensions being given out before, go for it! Ask very politely and state all your reasons, it might work.