Notification of Acceptance

[perkinqq]

When programs mean they need a notification by April 15th, does that mean do they need the "snail mail notification" or will emailing the advisor be okay?

I'm still waiting on one more school (potential deal breaker) and that is what's prolonging the process.

[maa]

Well, it depends. You should receive a letter of acceptance with your admission offer package, which you have to sign and send to the school. Sometimes, they want this letter to be sent over snail mail, sometimes, they want you to send it through fax. Moreover, some schools prefer to have acceptance e-mail from the students along with this hard letter. I would suggest you to send an e-mail to the advisor (or whoever the person incharge of graduate admission) and ask them to inform you about the procedure. If I were you I would send an e-mail informing my decision and then send the hard letter (if there is any) over express mail. In this way, I can extend the time for my decision and at the same time, even if the hard letter is delayed to reach their hand, they would at least know about my decision.

Good luck.

[rising_star]

I would definitely email the director of graduate studies, rather than just your (potential) advisor. And anyone else your letter says you should contact.