Response Date: March 15th?

[Omega Glory]

Hi all!

In the last couple weeks I've been accepted to my first and second choice schools. Naturally, I'm excited, but I'm also a little put off because my first choice school is asking that I accept or decline their offer by March 15th! From what I know, this is about a month earlier than most other schools. It's really a bummer because my second choice school offered me the opportunity to fly up there, tour the campus, and meet the faculty, all on their dime.....over the weekend of March 26th. So I'm basically screwed because of this one school's narrow timeline!

What should I do?

Edited February 17, 2011 by Omega Glory

[Strangefox]

Hi all!

In the last couple weeks I've been accepted to my first and second choice schools. Naturally, I'm excited, but I'm also a little put off because my first choice school is asking that I accept or decline their offer by March 15th! From what I know, this is about a month earlier than most other schools. It's really a bummer because my second choice school offered me the opportunity to fly up there, tour the campus, and meet the faculty, all on their dime.....over the weekend of March 26th. So I'm basically screwed because of this one school's narrow timeline!

What should I do?

Ask them for extension! People do that and schools agree to let them think a bit longer. After all, it's perfectly normal to want some extra time for such an important decision.

[newms]

Congrats on your acceptances! If your first choice are a signatory to the Council of Graduate Schools resolution here: http://www.cgsnet.org/?tabid=201 then they really shouldn't be putting an earlier deadline than April 15 on a financial offer - does their offer come with funding? If there's no funding involved, then I think they may be able to set an earlier deadline. In either case, you can ask them to give you an extension in order to make your decision - best of luck!

[Mrs. Grad]

My husband is in the same boat. He received his official acceptance in the mail today and they too have a deadline of March 15th. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't have his interview for his current top choice until March 4th! What do we do? He doesn't want to risk having the offer rescinded.

[Mrs. Grad]

Omega, read the fine print in the terms of the agreement. You may find that it says something along the lines of "an early acceptance or refusal would be appreciated" prior to mentioning the strict April 15th deadline.