How to respond to email acceptance, funding decision not for a few weeks?

[spiral]

sorry if this is a repeat question, but i couldn't find anything in my forum searches...

i got an acceptance email from Minnesota HSTM (phd) right before Christmas (strange timing!), saying that I was accepted and that they weren't doing funding decisions til mid January (that i would hear then). They want me to come visit and offered travel expenses. obviously I have to respond somehow, and soon, since i didn't even get the email until today (not checking email over the holiday). I'm just not sure what the format/protocol is (this is my first program response of any sort, first application cycle).

i'm not sure what I should be writing back to the program coordinator's email.....

--'i'm very excited about the program and am looking forward to hearing your funding decision'?

--'i'd love to visit, how about this specific date'?

--?????

The real issue is that I applied to 9 other programs, 5-6 of which I would still consider carefully if i had the good fortune to get an offer from any of them. As far as I know, a lot of these programs don't start offering/interviewing until February. So there is no way I'd be in a position to formally accept anytime soon. I guess I'm not sure how to correctly "hold" offers through March/April, especially starting now---this Minnesota thing is so early (shocked!) its really throwing me for a loop.

any suggestions or suggestions of blogs/sites explaining what kind of email I should write/how i should approach expressing interest/visiting without accepting for ages? i just don't want to do say the wrong thing or come off obnoxious....

thanks in advance, denizens of the interwebs!

[rising_star]

You don't have to do anything to "hold" an offer. Per the CGS resolution, you have until April 15 to make a decision.

Reply thanking them for admitting you, saying that you would like to visit, and asking them if they have any dates in mind.

[litjust]

sorry if this is a repeat question, but i couldn't find anything in my forum searches...

i got an acceptance email from Minnesota HSTM (phd) right before Christmas (strange timing!), saying that I was accepted and that they weren't doing funding decisions til mid January (that i would hear then). They want me to come visit and offered travel expenses. obviously I have to respond somehow, and soon, since i didn't even get the email until today (not checking email over the holiday). I'm just not sure what the format/protocol is (this is my first program response of any sort, first application cycle).

i'm not sure what I should be writing back to the program coordinator's email.....

--'i'm very excited about the program and am looking forward to hearing your funding decision'?

--'i'd love to visit, how about this specific date'?

--?????

The real issue is that I applied to 9 other programs, 5-6 of which I would still consider carefully if i had the good fortune to get an offer from any of them. As far as I know, a lot of these programs don't start offering/interviewing until February. So there is no way I'd be in a position to formally accept anytime soon. I guess I'm not sure how to correctly "hold" offers through March/April, especially starting now---this Minnesota thing is so early (shocked!) its really throwing me for a loop.

any suggestions or suggestions of blogs/sites explaining what kind of email I should write/how i should approach expressing interest/visiting without accepting for ages? i just don't want to do say the wrong thing or come off obnoxious....

thanks in advance, denizens of the interwebs!

Congrats!!! Rising_star's advice is spot on.

[Amogh]

A draft Email:

Dear XXXXXXXX,

Thank you for the prompt admission to the PhD program. I am really excited about it and would love to come down to visit the department. I am free to visit between and . I eagerly await the funding decision.

On another note, I wish to know when I have till to accept the offer as I intend to wait to hear back from some of the other schools that I have applied to before I decide on any one school to commit to.

Thank you,

XXXXXXXXXX

[Mal83]

I wouldn't mention that you're waiting on the funding decision just yet, they probably know that. Just thank them for the decision as a way to confirm that you're interested and get an idea of dates for visiting for the time being. If they're telling you that they won't decide on funding until such and such a time then I can't imagine they'd expect to just commit to them without knowing that information and they want you to come and visit to help you with your decision to accept or decline. I'm sure they know very well that funding is something you'll be considering very carefully in regards to other schools and all that. So you're fine for now...Congrats!

[spiral]

Thanks for the advice guys--I feel more confident emailing back now!