inquiring about admissions decision with funded offer from a different school

[arthad]

Here's my situation: I have a funded offer from my second-choice school (School B ). I have not heard from my first-choice school (School A). After I applied to School A, I received an email stating that my application was complete and that I would receive a decision between March 15 and April 15. My deadline for School B's offer, of course, is April 15. It's only March 16th, but I know this department has already released admissions decisions for a lot of folks, just no one in my subfield that I know of. If I'm rejected, I need to know so I can accept School B's offer and get housing and such things in place soon. How long should I wait before I email School A and ask when a decision might be released? Would it be appropriate to mention in the email that I have a funded offer from another school?

Thanks!

[runonsentence]

Here's my situation: I have a funded offer from my second-choice school (School B ). I have not heard from my first-choice school (School A). After I applied to School A, I received an email stating that my application was complete and that I would receive a decision between March 15 and April 15. My deadline for School B's offer, of course, is April 15. It's only March 16th, but I know this department has already released admissions decisions for a lot of folks, just no one in my subfield that I know of. If I'm rejected, I need to know so I can accept School B's offer and get housing and such things in place soon. How long should I wait before I email School A and ask when a decision might be released? Would it be appropriate to mention in the email that I have a funded offer from another school?

Thanks!

I'd say it's definitely appropriate to mention you have another offer. If School B is another well-regarded school, or especially if it's one that seeks out applicants similar to those sought out at School A, then it could make you look more desireable.

Here's an example of an email I sent a few DGS at silent schools: "I'm writing to let you know that I've had a recent publication accepted at X journal. I've been offered an acceptance by Y, but I'm still really interested in hearing from Z."

However, as to when to send it, that I'm not sure since they said they wouldn't start sending out decisions until the 15th. I sent out my emails because the schools I was emailing had said they'd send out notifications in early March, and many had December or early January deadlines. I know that waiting sucks, but you may want to give it another week.

[arthad]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I'll plan on sending an email along the lines of your suggestion in about a week, if I haven't heard anything. Thanks!