rescinding acceptance

[eco_env]

looks like one of the schools I applied to will rescind my acceptance because I can't find an advisor. are there any rules against that? or are schools allowed to resind acceptances whenever they want to?

[jblsmith]

Per the Resolution, offers/acceptances areonly tentative prior to April 15th. Offers/acceptances left in-force after April 15th are semi-legally binding. Therefore, anything is fair game prior to April 15th.

[Vitaminark]

Wth?? Why would they make an offer to someone that doesn't have an adviser?

[jblsmith]

Wth?? Why would they make an offer to someone that doesn't have an adviser?

Yeah, that's a little messed up. Normally assigning an advisor, at least a tentative one, is a major part of the decision process.

[wtncffts]

Per the Resolution, offers/acceptances areonly tentative prior to April 15th. Offers/acceptances left in-force after April 15th are semi-legally binding. Therefore, anything is fair game prior to April 15th.

I don't see anything in that resolution that says that schools can rescind an acceptance offer (assuming there's financial support). It says:

1) no obligation to respond before April 15th; earlier deadlines violate the resolution.

2) students can withdraw an acceptance made before April 15th by writing a 'resignation of the appointment'.

3) After April 15th, a student must obtain a written release from the school to which they previously committed, if they wish to accept another offer.

Conversely, that 'other' offer made after April 15th is conditional on the presentation of that written release from the previous acceptance.

It doesn't say anything about schools being able to rescind acceptances unilaterally, once made.

For the OP, why can't you find an advisor? If this is one of your top choices, perhaps you could just find anyone for the time being, and change advisors later, if necessary.

EDIT: stupid automatic emoticons.

Edited March 12, 2011 by wtncffts

[jblsmith]

Yeah it sucks, but I think the schools hold all the cards in this situation. At least it's not as bad as this poor guy:

[Vitaminark]

Yeah, that's a little messed up. Normally assigning an advisor, at least a tentative one, is a major part of the decision process.

Exactly. And a major part of your time at the institution.

[eco_env]

For the OP, why can't you find an advisor? If this is one of your top choices, perhaps you could just find anyone for the time being, and change advisors later, if necessary.

EDIT: stupid automatic emoticons.

It's a mystery to me too.