Accepted into one of my top choices but has interviews at others?

[EquationForLife]

Hi,

i have a little bit of a weird situation. I got accepted into one of my top choices (after interviewing) but I already made plans/reservations to visit other schools prior to receiving the admissions offer. Should I mention something to the other schools or not? I can't cancel my visitation trip completely because I already book the plane ticket and I can't afford to be on the hook for all the airfare (reimbursement comes afterwards). I would certainly consider still going to the other schools if I end up getting a good fellowship, I'm just not sure if there's something I should mention to the schools.

Also in the meantime, should I reply back to my top choice school and give them a date for making my decision? In the admissions offer, they mention that it's rolling admissions so they would like to hear back from me as soon as possible.

[Xanthan]

First of all, congratulations! It will make your life less stressful knowing you already have an admit in hand. Really, this isn't that unusual a situation to be in; I was in the same place last year. The first school I interviewed at made me an offer just days after the interview. I had already booked other interviews. My advice (and what I did): don't commit just yet. Tell the school that you are very excited about their offer, but you can't decide as you have some other visits coming up. They want you because they think you're a top applicant, so they won't be shocked that you're in demand. At the other interviews, keep an open mind. Maybe you'll like another school better. If you don't, you can take the first offer with a clear mind.

All of the above assumes these schools go by the "industry standard" April 15th decision deadline. (As a courtesy, I think it's good form to accept before then if you're sure.)

[fuzzylogician]

Your situation is not uncommon and it's nothing to be worried about. Unless you already know you're going to accept the school's offer regardless of any other circumstances, feel free to go on visits to other schools. Acknowledge the offer you already received and let the school know that you'll notify them of your decision as soon as you can. They will not be surprised that their top applicants have several options to choose from. You can, but don't have to, tell the schools you are interviewing at that you received another offer. In my opinion there is nothing to lose by doing so, but I know some people feel uncomfortable. Normally I found that schools will simply concentrate on convincing me that their program is the best, and the rare occasions when someoen said something bad about another school that accepted me taught me important things as well (mostly, that that person was probably someone I don't want to work with. I don't like trash talking). Congrats on your acceptance and interviews, and good luck!