Timeline for accepting an offering of admission to a PhD MSE program

[ChemPhysMatSci]

All,

 

What does the timeframe look like for accepting PhD program offers? I remember with REUs, one was expected to accept within a week to a few weeks after one received word of acceptance, though college acceptances were more or less universally due by about the beginning of May. How does this work for graduate schools?

 

I have received a letter that suggests responding to an offer remarkably early, though it's phrased in a way that may suggest it is merely their hope that I would respond by that early time. What are your thoughts? I am somewhat sure that there is little procedural difference between the engineering fields in this regard.

Edited January 2, 2013 by ChemPhysMatSci

[foreverfree]

Well, they can't expect you to accept until you've had a chance to visit your prospective schools (usually in March after acceptances). I'm sure they'd love to know earlier, but they have to give you time, usually to April 1 or April 15 I believe, just like for undergrad. Maybe just tell them you received and will strongly consider the offer? Congrats!

 

Just out of curiosity where did you hear from so early? I've been waiting with bated breath 

[ChemPhysMatSci]

It's an East Coast State school.

 

I agree with your response -- April 15th is all I can find as far as a universal deadline is concerned. I've also heard that invitations to all expense paid open houses are generally very similar to acceptances. What do you think about that?

Edited January 3, 2013 by ChemPhysMatSci

[intirb]

In general, schools will allow you to wait until April 15th to respond to their offers, following some guidelines most schools have agreed to follow.  However, these guidelines are not legally binding, and in reality a school can do whatever they want with their admissions.  I would talk to the school openly - they know you are applying to other schools - and ask if you can make your decision after all the other offers are in.

 

As for invitations to "all-expenses-paid open houses", this really depends on the school.  Every school that gave me an interview last year paid for my expenses, but some of those events were serious interviews whereas others were clearly just recruiting events. 

[Duck]

Most US universites below to the Council of Graduate Schools which means that students with funding have until April 15th to accept or request an offer of admission.  No one can force a funded student into an earlier decision.

[intirb]

True, but participation in the council is voluntary, and there's likely little consequence if a member decides not to follow the guidelines.  Like I said before, the agreement isn't legally binding.

[newlyadmit13]

Hello there,

I am very new in this forum, but I guess I am in the same boat like you. I am wondering if any of you know/have heard anything about the Mat Eng results of Purdue University. My online account still says 'under review'. I sent an email to the university to learn about the results, I was told that they sometimes send emails but they will update the online application system. However, I was not given any information about the admissions results release date.

Please share your experience if you have heard anything about Purdue Mat Eng.

Thank you so much and wish all best of luck.

[foreverfree]

Hello there,

I am very new in this forum, but I guess I am in the same boat like you. I am wondering if any of you know/have heard anything about the Mat Eng results of Purdue University. My online account still says 'under review'. I sent an email to the university to learn about the results, I was told that they sometimes send emails but they will update the online application system. However, I was not given any information about the admissions results release date.

Please share your experience if you have heard anything about Purdue Mat Eng.

Thank you so much and wish all best of luck.

You should check the results listings: 

http://thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=purdue+material*

 

Looks like there was one acceptance and one rejection listed so far this year