How bad is it actually to back out?

[Planner9]

Hello, first time poster here. I applied to Canadian schools, so the April 15th deadline isn't applicable.

So, school A has already offered me a spot and the deadline to accept/decline is on Tues (April 19th). No funding available, but tuition is the cheapest of everywhere I applied to (about 4K a year). School A is also located in the middle of nowhere, the temperatures are below freezing 8 months of the year and the school itself doesn't have the best ranking. I also don't intend on staying in that particular city after graduation. On the bright side, my partner is currently studying there so living costs would not be very high As well, the program is small and has a decent reputation.

School B (my top choice) has waitlisted me. There is a possibility for funding, my POI there is my academic kindred spirit (our research interests are nearly identical), the city is large/vibrant/there are lots of things to do and the institution is one of the best in Canada. But I still need to see a tangible offer

I contacted the department advisor at School A and they are unable/unwilling to give me an extension. I then contacted my POI at School B, who advised me to e-mail the department secretary and the program director, and inform them about my other offer. I did on Wednesday, inquiring about the chances to get off the waitlist, and have not heard back.

So now I have to make a decision by Tuesday... how bad is it to accept the offer at School A and back out if School B offers me a spot afterwards? As well, I don't know why School B hasn't gotten back to me! If they want to reject me, can't they just let me know? Arrrrrghhhhh. Sorry for the long post, but I'm pretty sure my partner/family/friends are all sick of hearing me go on and on Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

[rising_star]

It can be politically sticky. There are lots of posts about this on the "April 15th Freakout" forum. Go read a few.