How Long Should You Wait to Hear from Other Programs?

[Silent_Bobina]

I have been accepted to a school with funding for 4 years and everything I could want. This school is my top choice and I am only waiting to hear from one other program which is notoriously late about notifying even their acceptances. I see everyone on here saying to wait and think about offers but how long is too long? If you have a cushy offer at a school you like and they want a courteous response before March 15th, but the other school may not even notify you either way before then is it even worth waiting?

 

How long would you wait if you already had a solid offer? 

[uromastyx]

I have been accepted to a school with funding for 4 years and everything I could want. This school is my top choice...

'nuff said.

[stillalivetui]

What he said.

 

I got accepted by my second choice with an assistantship and I'm getting more and more sold on the idea of attending there. I still have 3 more schools to hear from, but really it's all going to boil down if I also get accepted by my first choice and if they offer any incentives. 

 

This doesn't really sound like a factor for you since its your first choice and such.

[smmmu]

What do you mean by them wanting a response by March 15? Is this a US programme? If so, do they not give you until April 15?

 

In any case personally I would definitely wait, and I would definitely want to visit all programmes in person. Sure, you might have some idea of how you'd rank the programmes you applied to in terms of research fit etc., but honestly in that respect they are most likely all "good enough", else you wouldn't have bothered applying. And beyond the academic fit, things like personal rapport with potential supervisors, atmosphere in the department overall, social life, location, etc., all are very important, and for me personally at least, they will be the deciding factors. I would expect that any reputable university would understand that you would want to wait, and that you would want to visit in person in order to be able to make an informed decision. (But again then in terms of deadlines I'm assuming we're talking US institutions here.)

 

You could also try contacting your remaining programmes and ask if you're still being considered - I get the feeling that when told that you would like to make a decision on offers from elsewhere they tend to be slightly more forthcoming with information (if not the admissions people, then faculty).

[Silent_Bobina]

What do you mean by them wanting a response by March 15? Is this a US programme? If so, do they not give you until April 15?

 

In any case personally I would definitely wait, and I would definitely want to visit all programmes in person. Sure, you might have some idea of how you'd rank the programmes you applied to in terms of research fit etc., but honestly in that respect they are most likely all "good enough", else you wouldn't have bothered applying. And beyond the academic fit, things like personal rapport with potential supervisors, atmosphere in the department overall, social life, location, etc., all are very important, and for me personally at least, they will be the deciding factors. I would expect that any reputable university would understand that you would want to wait, and that you would want to visit in person in order to be able to make an informed decision. (But again then in terms of deadlines I'm assuming we're talking US institutions here.)

 

You could also try contacting your remaining programmes and ask if you're still being considered - I get the feeling that when told that you would like to make a decision on offers from elsewhere they tend to be slightly more forthcoming with information (if not the admissions people, then faculty).

 

I want to contact the program that I'm waiting on but I'm not sure what to say or how to actually get someone who matters to listen to me. I have called them about an application error (missing transcript, all on their side not processed properly) a half a dozen times and the problem is still not really solved, so I doubt the people I would get on the phone would care or give me any relevant info. It doesn't help that the school I'm waiting on refuses to say where they are in the process or give and admissions info over the phone. They also have a fairly inconsistent admissions pattern where they'll e-mail a few top choices in mid-February (Mostly International students because that's their overwhelming preference) then release some more admits and the first round of rejections mid-march! 

 

About the March 15th deadline, It's not the official deadline which is April 15th like most American schools. Responding by March 15th is just a suggestion so you are courteous to those on the wait-list. I don't want to be an acceptance hoarder. I get so angry because of the ego of some people on this website. Especially when they hold 3 or 4 acceptances and just wait on them, even if they're only seriously considering one or two. I also will have visited by then so I will have the experience that you are saying is so important (and I agree it is). However, I visited both of my MA choices before deciding where to go and I am still miserable in the location that I chose (I may have been more miserable at my other choice though). 

What he said.

 

I got accepted by my second choice with an assistantship and I'm getting more and more sold on the idea of attending there. I still have 3 more schools to hear from, but really it's all going to boil down if I also get accepted by my first choice and if they offer any incentives. 

 

This doesn't really sound like a factor for you since its your first choice and such.

I am definitely not in this boat but the school I'm waiting on is a very close second choice.

 

'nuff said.

See this is how I felt upon receiving the admission and it really should be that simple but everyone, my MA adviser, my friends, this website have said you should really wait until you hear from any option that might sway you and if I visited both schools I'm not sure I would still choose the offer I currently have.