Accepted- Now what?

[Roccoriel]

So, it turns out I was accepted at one of the PhD programs I applied to (and probably won't be hearing from the other for a few weeks because they had a late deadline on their apps).

Now what do I do?

Should I contact them via phone/email and thank them and tell them that I would like to hold off on make a decision for a little while? Or do I wait for them to contact me directly to say anything (i.e. if my POI contacts me)?

There was no offer of funding in the letter and no mention of it (not even saying whether I did or didn't get any). I did say in the app that I need funding to attend. Is it possible that more information about this is on it's way? Or would they have mentioned it somewhere if I was in the running for funding?

This is my first acceptance ever where I had to wait on more information, so I'm sorry for questions that might be rather obvious. Both my undergrad and masters were situations where I only applied to one school and (as an undergrad) had good scholarships or (in the masters) was planning on going regardless...so I'm a bit unfamiliar with this whole part of the process.

[Bukharan]

I think there is no definitive etiquette about this. One just follows common sense.

Congratulations on your acceptance!

Now just e-mail the graduate secretary back, thank for the acceptance (do not mention that you need time to wait; you are not required to give your answer now so it is within your right to wait; in fact, no one expects you to answer them immediately) and ask whether funding decisions have been made yet.

[Roccoriel]

Okay, will do that when I get home tonight/tomorrow morning when I am able to sit down and write out a proper e-mail for graduate secretary!

Is it normal for the acceptance letter to make no mention of funding whatsoever or does this likely indicate that I didn't get any? It did mention that I am considered out-of-state for tuition, but it made no mention on anything beyond that... I am concerned that this is bad news hidden in the good news. LOL

[eklavya]

Is it normal for the acceptance letter to make no mention of funding whatsoever or does this likely indicate that I didn't get any? It did mention that I am considered out-of-state for tuition, but it made no mention on anything beyond that... I am concerned that this is bad news hidden in the good news. LOL

in lifesciences, yes, this is quite common. you will first get an acceptance letter bearing the good news. and the funding information is relayed after few days or weeks. you can certainly email the grad sec and let them know of your anxiety. they will probably tell you that the profs (or the dept) are having a meeting to discuss money and only after that you can expect to hear about funding. but hang tight.. it'll definitely come.