Open house for admitted students: to go or not to go

[jcperez]

One of the schools I applied to has admitted me to their PhD program, with full funding, and they are now inviting me to an open house for admitted students in which they cover transport, hotel and food (school is in NY, and I live outside the US, in Central America).

 

But here comes the problem: as great as it sounds, I applied to this school, so to say, "by mistake".

 

My two POIs left the school last year. The department did not update their website accordingly, and I didn't contact those professors before applying because the department's website clearly stated that decisions are made by the Adcom, and that all admitted students are given a first-year fellowship in order to concentrate on coursework.

 

Since I had already sent transcripts, TOEFL and GRE scores to this school when I noticed that problem, and they even waived my application fee after a "preliminary review of my academic credentials", I decided I would send my application anyways, even if they had gone down on my priority list. And that's how I got admitted.

 

I have another admission offer from my 2nd choice university, but with no departmental funding (currently contacting POI for RAship), and I am still waiting for answers from other 5 universities. So, there is still a good chance that I won't be attending the aforementioned school.

 

So here comes my question to you: how rude would it be if I attend this school's open house (in which they would cover my transport, hotel and food) and then decline their offer? I guess they are willing to take the risk of spending on a student who has not yet accepted their admission offer, but I really don't want to end up in bad terms with this school (I want to become a university professor, and they might be a potential employer in the future!).

 

Thank you for taking some time to read my story. Best of luck to all of you with your applications and admission decisions!

[katieliz456]

I would do it, assuming you can afford a weekend away from your current occupation.  What would happen if the funding falls through for your #2 choice, and you're "stuck" with only this one funded acceptance? Then you'd end up moving to a place without ever visiting in person (which isn't terrible, but doesn't seem ideal).

[zabius]

Here's what you should ask yourself: If you assume the worst-case scenario with all of the other schools (no RAship at your second choice and rejections from the rest), would you still go to this university? If there's a possibility that you would attend, you should go to the open house. 

 

Visits can change everything. You might find that, after meeting with the people at this school, that there are other faculty members who could act as research mentors for you. Maybe some of the faculty there specialize in a different area, but would be willing to take on a student who would work on the type of project that you have in mind. So, I'd recommend going.

 

However, if you're 100% sure that you wouldn't go to this university even if you had no other options (i.e. that you'd rather reapply next year then go to this school), then you should politely decline the invitation. They won't be offended... in fact, they'd probably be happy to save the money.

 

It's not rude to decline an offer after going to a school's admitted students weekend. Most schools know that the people they have accepted have also been accepted elsewhere, and realize that students can only pick one school in the end. It is, however, rude to go to the visitation weekend if you know for sure that there's no way you would attend the school.

Edited March 4, 2013 by zabius

[fuzzylogician]

It's not rude to decline an offer after visiting a school. It sounds like this school might not be an ideal fit but it's still worth finding out why they admitted you in the first place (I assume your SOP mentioned the people who were gone, and the adcom was aware of that) -- meet with the faculty there and see if you can make it work. If so, it sounds like an overall better choice than the school that is not offering you any funding right now.

[queenleblanc]

Besides what others have already stated, going on the visit could be a good networking opportunity, and you might find out something about the university you don't already know. Obviously they think you fit their program, so I think if you can, it might be nice to oblige them with a visit to find out all you need to know.

[ak48]

I'm a big fan of visiting admission schools, especially since they are funding all of it.

 

Who knows? Maybe you'll meet an adviser who does exciting work. At worst, you come away with a little more knowledge and perspective about how a certain part of the US looks like and how certain universities operate.

[EastCoasting]

I can tell you that I have found myself in a situation that a school I thought I had little interest in attending shot up to a top choice following my visit. Attend with an open mind, because you really never know (and if you really do know you should not go).

[tip3r]

I'm in a similar situation. I am waiting on all my other schools but I fear rejections since I haven't heard anything yet. It is possible I will end up attending this university, which is also in NY and is on the other side of the country. I can't take time off to go there and I fear it would be even more rude to not attend the fully funded open house but attend the school. I feel like everyone will think I didn't care about anything else as long as they give me full funding. If I were you I would attend, I think it would be better either way. The reason they are funding your trip is to persuade you to come. If they can't persuade you, you are not to blame.

[jcperez]

It's not rude to decline an offer after visiting a school. It sounds like this school might not be an ideal fit but it's still worth finding out why they admitted you in the first place (I assume your SOP mentioned the people who were gone, and the adcom was aware of that) -- meet with the faculty there and see if you can make it work. If so, it sounds like an overall better choice than the school that is not offering you any funding right now.

 

I actually noticed those professors were gone just after sending my transcripts, TOEFL, and GRE scores, but before submitting the online application. Therefore, I was able to change my SOP accordingly.

 

The program might not be the ideal fit I was looking for, but there are several professors who work on areas related to mine. I could see myself working with them, or they might even agree to supervise a project in my area of interest.

[fuzzylogician]

I actually noticed those professors were gone just after sending my transcripts, TOEFL, and GRE scores, but before submitting the online application. Therefore, I was able to change my SOP accordingly.

 

The program might not be the ideal fit I was looking for, but there are several professors who work on areas related to mine. I could see myself working with them, or they might even agree to supervise a project in my area of interest.

Well, in that case clearly they think they can advise you on your stated research interests. All the more reason to meet with them and get the full picture.