could there be legal troubles here?

[sweetiemb]

The scenerio--I applied to 4 different schools--counseling master's programs in each of those, and one of them a gerontology certificate program to supplement my counseling education (for the other 3 schools, you add the certificate on after being enrolled in a master's or doctorate program, but for this one school, you can be accepted to the certificate program independent of being enrolled in a master's or doctorate program). I got 1 reject and one program I'm withdrawing my application from, so those 2 schools aren't in the equation here. The problem lies in the other two schools, however--for school x, I got accepted into their gerontology certificate program but had not heard a thing from their counseling master's program. For school y, I got accepted to their counseling master's program--the program really appealed to me, I liked the staff and the current graduate students I met during my interview, and there's a high likelihood I can get financial aide at school y, so I accepted their offer.

Here's where the trouble comes in--for school x's gerontology certificate program. I just got sent a letter of acceptance with it saying "we're very glad to have you as part of our cohort for Fall 2009" and that I should talk to my advisor about classes to take for the fall. There's nothing on there saying I have to get back to her in regards to whether I accept or decline the offer, but rather the assumption that since I've been accepted, I will attend. I know that this program has rolling admissions, and that I've already decided not to go to this school based on the fact of not hearing a thing from the school's counseling master's program and being given a better offer at another school. I got the letter of acceptance to the gerontology certificate program from school x about a month and a half ago.

I'm just concerned because I read that once you've accpeted an offer, you're legally bound to that school/program--but this letter of acceptance seemed to assume that I'm attending with it saying "we're very glad to have you as part of our cohort..." meaning that maybe I was already added to the list of students. I just wrote her an e-mail right now telling her that I will not be attending school x because of not hearing from the counseling master's program at that school and getting a good offer from school y. I'm just concerned that with her assuming I'm attending, is there some legal action that can be taken?

[kahlan_amnell]

The scenerio--I applied to 4 different schools--counseling master's programs in each of those, and one of them a gerontology certificate program to supplement my counseling education (for the other 3 schools, you add the certificate on after being enrolled in a master's or doctorate program, but for this one school, you can be accepted to the certificate program independent of being enrolled in a master's or doctorate program). I got 1 reject and one program I'm withdrawing my application from, so those 2 schools aren't in the equation here. The problem lies in the other two schools, however--for school x, I got accepted into their gerontology certificate program but had not heard a thing from their counseling master's program. For school y, I got accepted to their counseling master's program--the program really appealed to me, I liked the staff and the current graduate students I met during my interview, and there's a high likelihood I can get financial aide at school y, so I accepted their offer.

Here's where the trouble comes in--for school x's gerontology certificate program. I just got sent a letter of acceptance with it saying "we're very glad to have you as part of our cohort for Fall 2009" and that I should talk to my advisor about classes to take for the fall. There's nothing on there saying I have to get back to her in regards to whether I accept or decline the offer, but rather the assumption that since I've been accepted, I will attend. I know that this program has rolling admissions, and that I've already decided not to go to this school based on the fact of not hearing a thing from the school's counseling master's program and being given a better offer at another school. I got the letter of acceptance to the gerontology certificate program from school x about a month and a half ago.

I'm just concerned because I read that once you've accpeted an offer, you're legally bound to that school/program--but this letter of acceptance seemed to assume that I'm attending with it saying "we're very glad to have you as part of our cohort..." meaning that maybe I was already added to the list of students. I just wrote her an e-mail right now telling her that I will not be attending school x because of not hearing from the counseling master's program at that school and getting a good offer from school y. I'm just concerned that with her assuming I'm attending, is there some legal action that can be taken?

It's probably just a poorly worded letter, I wouldn't worry too much about possible legal implications.

[jesso21]

I agree, there is no need to worry about legal trouble.

All of my admittance letters have stated the same thing. (like they assumed I would be a part of their program with no mention of me accepting them)

[PhD2009orbust]

Not sure how you can be in "legal" trouble if you have not signed a letter or written an email to the school. Even assuming that the school thought you were attending, they would be annoyed but it is highly doubtful they would want to further action.

It is customary for some programs to send subsequent literature on their school. I got into a program where I did not accept/reject the offer of admission but subsequently received a letter from the Dean of the school congratulating me and talking about classes, registration, etc.