Acceptance Deadlines - Dilemma

[Ren Adams]

I know many of you must be dealing with similar situations, so I thought I'd open a discussion to generate ideas and support.

 

I have one school that is expecting an acceptance response by April 1st. I've heard back from three other schools, but am still trying to get funding sorted out (nothing concrete yet), so I cannot yet make an informed decision about the best financial offer. I am still waiting on initial responses from two schools and I've contacted them to touch base.

 

Since I applied to low residency programs, there is less funding and every penny counts. It also means the programs seem to respond later than the traditional programs.

 

My dilemma is that the school that is pushing me to make a decision is the only one forthcoming with any financial information. They offered me a Graduate Assistantship which can be handled year around, even when I'm not on campus, but it does not pay a lot for the year--but it would still be helpful. They have already given me an extension to decide (they originally wanted an acceptance response the first or second week of March, which was completely impossible for me), so I don't think I'll get another one past April 1.

 

I know Cranbrook asks for an early confirmation as well, as do others. What are you guys doing about that? I'm rather stressed about it. I don't want to say "no" to the April 1 deadline school, only to discover the other programs offer me less, yet if I say "yes" it requires a $750 deposit and I'd potentially miss out on a better deal, if there is one.

 

Do I accept their offer, expecting the others to be less, due to the nature of the programs? Do I tell them "no" and gamble on a better deal? Should I ask them again for an extension and hope they will extend it?

 

I really dislike the idea of making a decision without complete information about all of my options, yet I also dislike the idea of letting what may be the best offer slip away.

 

 

 

 

[jwu]

just so you know, technically, you are not committed going to any program until the first tuition bill is paid, around Aug 1st.

the risk of accepting one offer and then turn it down after you get another one fits you better are: lost your deposit money, not-so-good relationship between you and the school if you still thinking about applying next round, maybe there are more but these are the two major ones on top of my mind now

 

email the admissions, email the individual department again, be honest and ask them what to do

 

I have some similar situation, and I got another month extension until I have to give them final final word 

Edited March 28, 2013 by jwu

[Ren Adams]

just so you know, technically, you are not committed going to any program until the first tuition bill is paid, around Aug 1st.

the risk of accepting one offer and then turn it down after you get another one fits you better are: lost your deposit money, not-so-good relationship between you and the school if you still thinking about applying next round, maybe there are more but these are the two major ones on top of my mind now

 

email the admissions, email the individual department again, be honest and ask them what to do

 

I have some similar situation, and I got another month extension until I have to give them final final word 

 

Thanks for your advice. It confirms what I was already thinking.

[dimensionsvariable]

I also got a deadline extension, since one school doesn't even give financial aid information until after the other wants a firm answer. Most are happy to give it to you.

[Ren Adams]

I also got a deadline extension, since one school doesn't even give financial aid information until after the other wants a firm answer. Most are happy to give it to you.

 

Yep. Precisely the timing dilemma I'm dealing with.

 

I was worried because they have already given me an extension once before, with a more finite deadline this time.