Congratulation Reply

[Microsoft]

Hi,

I got an acceptance form graduate school. I received an email from one of the professors with a warm congragulation. Is it customary to reply such emails?

Thanks.

[eklavya]

It is not customary, but is a good etiquette to respond and say thank you. It also tells the professor that you are interested in their program, and helps a lot in building relations.. even if you decide not to attend.

Congratulations on the acceptance!

[newms]

It's definitely a good idea to reply and say thanks and to confirm that you're interested in the program and in finding out more about the program and research taking place there, even if this program is not your top choice. Hopefully you'd get the opportunity to talk with some of the profs there, if not in person, then on the phone, and the conversations can help you to make your choice on where to go even if you decide to go somewhere else.

[repatriate]

Yes, one should reply to thank the person for the congratulations and express gratitude for the acceptance.

[TMP]

But what if the offer is unfunded and there's no way you can attend?

[paint]

But what if the offer is unfunded and there's no way you can attend?

Is there a chance you will be funded? If so, use the email as a way to show you're interested and will await funding news. If not, well, thanks are still in order though expressing reservations about the funding seems fair too.

[DrPepper-olic]

Is there a chance you will be funded? If so, use the email as a way to show you're interested and will await funding news. If not, well, thanks are still in order though expressing reservations about the funding seems fair too.

I agree. I received a nice email informing me that I was waitlisted because of funding, and I responded with a "thank you for notifying me so quickly" and "I look forward to corresponding with you in the future." Since funding was mentioned in the original email, I didn't feel it was necessary to express concern over it. I probably would have if it were merely an unfunded offer. Either way, responding politely and enthusiastically to the email can't hurt you.

[wtncffts]

Sometimes I think there's a little too much fretting here. Just keep it simple, straightforward, and honest. "Thank you for the offer. Your support of my academic goals is sincerely appreciated. However, for various reasons, I cannot take on (greater) financial debts in the form of student loans, and thus cannot attend a program without full funding. Therefore, I must decline the offer."

Fancy it up a bit and make it more specific if you like, but I think that's pretty much all you have to say.

[TMP]

Thanks! I appreciated those replies!