Reject an offer after accepting the same

[CafeCoffeeDay]

Hi,

I got an offer from a Canadian University. And still few of my decisions haven't come.The deadline to accept or reject for this university is 15th April. So, is there a problem if I accept this offer and reject it later(if I get any better offer after the deadline)? Or is it binding on us once we accept the offer?

Thanks.

[csKid]

Accepting an offer wouldn't be binding. I've heard cases in which people accept two offers, just in case, they had change of plans. In your case, it shouldn't be an issue.But, I strongly advise you to mail, and if they are not replying call the universities you've applied to make sure of your exact status before accepting. Generally, i've heard that universities don't expect cent percent turnout from their acceptances.

If you have change of plans, convey the university asap

Edited April 8, 2011 by rejectMeNot

[the poisoned pawn]

For my case, UW Madison has no waitlist, so backing out my offer will probably not affect anyone except my bridges. That's not the case for other schools which do have people waiting on the waitlist. Some people may get rejected from the waitlist for no good reason while they should have got in because you finally back out your offer.

There are cases when you definitely want to wait from the rest of the schools you applied to (like you don't have full funding from the current options, or large ranking gap). Otherwise, if you guys already have a good option (the school provides funding, has faculty you want to work with, etc) and none of the rest is much more significant than that option, then you should move on with it. That would do a great favor to those on the waitlist.

Edited April 8, 2011 by the poisoned pawn

[csKid]

I second this. Unless there is a real need, like a rank gap or major preference, there would be no reason to accept an offer and reject it later.

For my case, UW Madison has no waitlist, so backing out my offer will probably not affect anyone except my bridges. That's not the case for other schools which do have people waiting on the waitlist. Some people may get rejected from the waitlist for no good reason while they should have got in because you finally back out your offer.

There are cases when you definitely want to wait from the rest of the schools you applied to (like you don't have full funding from the current options, or large ranking gap). Otherwise, if you guys already have a good option (the school provides funding, has faculty you want to work with, etc) and none of the rest is much more significant than that option, then you should move on with it. That would do a great favor to those on the waitlist.

[BKMD]

Just tell the school you need more time to hear from other schools and they will probably accommodate you. Don't keep them in the dark on your situation and give them the potentially false impression that you've accepted.