Using admissions as leverage?

[historyguy0289]

Hi:

 

I've received a formal offer of admission to a PhD program. I'm still waiting on the other schools to get back to me. Is it appropriate to contact the other schools? If so, how would you go about doing it?

[guineu]

No, it would not be appropriate. Every department has a different timeline. If you are applying to history programs, you should know that only a handful of schools have already sent out admissions results. You got in to one of them. Celebrate that, and hope for more good news in the upcoming weeks.

[shortstack51]

It becomes appropriate later in the season. Once the end of March rolls around, I would say it's appropriate to start calling. But not right now. Most programs--depending on your field--haven't started doling out acceptances yet.

[TakeruK]

I agree with the above. Your first school probably gave you until April 15 to decide. If so, what is the point of even trying to gain "leverage". You can gain nothing by letting the other schools know you got into a school. I would think that the only time this can help is if your first school gave you a deadline to respond that is fast approaching and you would need either the first school to extend your deadline or the other school to make a decision faster and/or let you know when a decision will be made.

[geographyrocks]

Unless you're contacting the schools to let them know that you want to withdraw your application, NO.  Not only is it rude, you also run the risk of them placing you firmly in the 'no' pile because you already have an offer.

I think it's only appropriate to start using acceptances as leverage if you're trying to get additional funding.  However, you have to have a yes before you can start negotiating.