Responding to Acceptance for Information

[lasgirl]

Hello!

I was accepted to my top choice school (eek!) and have a question about responding to the program. I don't plan on officially accepting until I hear back from all of my programs, but I do want to get in touch with the school.

How do I even start this email!? haha Something along the lines of "thank you so much for this opportunity. Before making my decision, I'd like to ask a few questions." or something completely different?

I was offered a RA with full tuition/fees and a small stipend. Would it be appropriate to ask about additional funding opportunities (readerships, possibly a TAship) to cover my room and board costs? What would be the best way to approach this?

Thanks

[LJK]

I think it is absolutely essential to acknowledge an acceptance. The school wants to know if you are considering them seriously, but will understand if you are not able to make a decision. I think the school would take it as a good sign if you are looking for answers to questions at this point and I think responding to the acceptance with questions or even asking to be directed to the person to ask questions of is appropriate. It is early on for applicants to be committed to a program at this point.

[newms]

Hello!

I was accepted to my top choice school (eek!) and have a question about responding to the program. I don't plan on officially accepting until I hear back from all of my programs, but I do want to get in touch with the school.

How do I even start this email!? haha Something along the lines of "thank you so much for this opportunity. Before making my decision, I'd like to ask a few questions." or something completely different?

I was offered a RA with full tuition/fees and a small stipend. Would it be appropriate to ask about additional funding opportunities (readerships, possibly a TAship) to cover my room and board costs? What would be the best way to approach this?

Thanks

Congratulations! I think what you have suggested is a good way of replying to the acceptance email. Let them know that you are very interested in their program and that you have a few questions that you would appreciate your help with. They won't be expecting a decision just yet since they know that you'll likely be considering other schools.

It's perfectly ok to ask about the other funding opportunities - perhaps you could direct this question to the department's graduate coordinator (let them know that you do appreciate the funding that they have already offered you). Alternatively, if you've been assigned a contact faculty, you could ask them. Good luck!

Edited March 1, 2011 by newms

[theone17]

I'm in a similar situation, and I'm confused as to how to respond.

I received an acceptance email from the school's generic admissions email but signed by the Dean of the Graduate School. In the email, I was directed to a website where I could accept or decline the admission offer. How, if even at all, am I supposed to respond to this email?

Do I look up the Dean's email address and send a thank you email to him/her? Do I respond to the generic admissions email address, and if so, who do I address it to?

[newms]

I'm in a similar situation, and I'm confused as to how to respond.

I received an acceptance email from the school's generic admissions email but signed by the Dean of the Graduate School. In the email, I was directed to a website where I could accept or decline the admission offer. How, if even at all, am I supposed to respond to this email?

Do I look up the Dean's email address and send a thank you email to him/her? Do I respond to the generic admissions email address, and if so, who do I address it to?

Congratulations! As long as the email doesn't say 'Please do not respond to this email' it's fine to respond to this email. Address it to the person it's signed by - chances are it'll be staff that see it rather than the Dean, but they will respond appropriately.

[theone17]

Congratulations! As long as the email doesn't say 'Please do not respond to this email' it's fine to respond to this email. Address it to the person it's signed by - chances are it'll be staff that see it rather than the Dean, but they will respond appropriately.

Thanks!

Do you think it's absolutely necessary to reply to the email? I don't have any questions since I've been in contact with the actual department, and all I really have to say would be: Thank you for the wonderful news. I'm looking forward to visiting the school before making my decision.

[newms]

It's not absolutely necessary to respond to the email, but it's definitely good form to acknowledge it and say thanks. What you've suggested would be a perfectly good reply.