How does this "Not a no, but a please wait" email sound?

[GreenePony]

I received my first acceptance, yay!

However, they want a response as soon as possible (have not received the official offer packet with the deadline yet) but the other programs will not be sending out results until next week and this may drag on until the end of March. My husband and I thought I should send an email to the address they requested saying basically, "Thank you for the opportunity but I cannot make a decision yet" and this is what I have come up with so far.

Thoughts?

"Program Person,

I received your letter concerning the program yesterday and I very much appreciate the acceptance into the program.

Unfortunately, I cannot yet make a decision concerning attendance as I am still waiting for program decisions, and some may be as late as April 1st.

As this decision not only affects me but also my husband, we must weigh my options carefully. As soon as we have decided, I will email you immediately.

Thank you for your understanding,

Greene"

(also, I'm an American and this is a UK program, should I use UK spelling? I think the only work it affects is 'program')

Edited February 3, 2012 by GreenePony

[once]

I think it sounds fine and perfectly professional. I don't think British spelling is necessary, but it's certainly considerate of you to think of it!

[coonskee]

Sounds professional, small style irk:

"I received your letter concerning the program yesterday and I very much appreciate the acceptance into the program."

YOu have program twice in one sentence which has always been a personal pet peeve.... Perhaps, "I received your letter yesterday, and I am very grateful/very much appreciate the acceptance into the program" or some such?

Sorry, I've grown up correcting my dad's translated business documents - I see a text and I immediately go into "POLISH EVERYTHING" mode.

[GreenePony]

Thanks! That's the sort of thing I was looking for when posting it here.

[Arcadian]

I wouldn't use the word "unfortunately." Avoid sounding negative, just say you are interested but cannot make a final decision yet.

[Frozenroses]

Program is spelt the same in both countries.. but it is effects not affects no?

Edited February 9, 2012 by Frozenroses

[rkg2012]

Program is spelt the same in both countries.. but it is effects not affects no?

Wrong on both counts. The British spelling is programme; the American spelling is program. I wouldn't worry about it though. I always use American English here - it's better than finding out that there's a weird British spelling that you don't know about. On the other hand, I think that I wrote programme in my correspondences after receiving acceptances last year. They were very understanding about waiting for decisions at American schools.

Affect is correct. Effect is rarely a verb and only in the sense of causing an effect.