Deciding: Ethical Gray Area

[Lamantin]

My situation is a little ambiguous, and my question has mostly to do with the April 15th deadline. In short, I've been accepted to two programs.

 

One is a top 25 program and has offered me limited funding for the first year, but the debt would be small (School 1). This school is my second choice for a number of reasons, such as fit, the vibe I got from the department, and the fact that my POI would be retiring as a I finished the MA. 

 

The other is a top ten program that has me at the top of the funding waitlist (School 2). From what I've been told, people in position usually get funded. This school is my first choice, and I would love to do my PhD there (which I could, should I choose). I've been told it's unlikely that I'll get an offer before the deadline, but that I would very likely get on after the deadline. 

 

My question is, if I accepted both schools offers on Monday and received an offer from school 2, could I pull out of school 1's acceptance? How would I go about that, do I need to get written consent? I understand it's a pretty shady tactic, but I would much rather go to school 2 than school 1. All remarks about "they'll be your future colleagues" aside, is this possible?  

 

I'm not saying I'll for sure do this, but it has crossed my mind, and I'd like to know what the possible repercussions are. 

Edited April 13, 2013 by Lamantin

[JungWild&Free]

Technically, they can't force you to attend so you can pull out at any point, you are just not supposed to.  You probably would need a written release from one of the schools but they would also probably give it to you.  But I would make sure that you know what you are agreeing to if you accept both offers.  I had one school tell me that their offer was a binding contract that was legally enforceable for either party (meaning I could take them to court if they changed their mind about my admission and vice versa).  I know some people have mentioned on other threads that accepting a school's offer may require you to reject all other offers.  Definitely make sure that you are not breaking any explicit rules at the schools. 

 

But also, you know, stuff about how they'll be your future colleagues and you might be taking someone else's spot, just to throw it out there.

Edited April 13, 2013 by JungWild&Free

[TwistedCubic]

From what i have read, If you accept a offer with funding you are obligated to that program. "However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer

without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made."

 

Source: http://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf

[anoveldave]

In your case, I think I would pass on the first school because it isn't fully funded.

 

I'm in a kind-of-similar-but-not situation (full funding at one school, funding waitlist at another). Both of the schools are great with resources, so I don't have the problem you might have with POIs. However, I've been leaning toward the latter, and the money's the only thing preventing me from making a solid decision. I'm waiting to hear the good news before the 15th from the second school, but will be choosing the first school if I don't hear progress on the funding front by Monday morning at the latest. 

 

I suppose you might want to think about whether you would unequivocally accept the partially funded offer if that's all you had, without thinking about the funding waitlist school. If you'd bear the financial burden yourself, then it might be better to accept a sure thing. Otherwise, wait out the second school's funding waitlist, and maybe reapply next year?

[Lamantin]

Thanks for the information and thoughts. It's too dishonest and unpleasant for me to go through it, but I'm glad I see how the process would go. 

 

Anoveldave: I'm leaning toward accepting school 2's offer and waiting out the funding waitlist. If it doesn't come through, I'll work on my resume and try again next year.