Accept an offer, withdraw others

[worlddog]

I'm now having this offer to my dream program and I'm going to accept it. I applied to several other programs, none of which I like more than my dream program, and I haven't hear news from them. I know some of them have sent out offers, so not having been notified probably means a rejection; but it could also be a waitlist judged on the historical data. I'm thinking of accepting this offer and withdrawing all the others--no matter it's a not-yet-sent rejection, waitlist or acceptance. Part of the reason is that I have made my mind, and don't feel like waiting for any other notification (it's literally killing me), and I could kind of "save my face" by  initiating the withdrawal rather than getting rejected on my face (they won't send me rejections if I withdraw my application even if they have made all their decisions, right?). Is that a sensible thing to do? I just want to make sure if it's not inappropriate.. 

Comments?

Edited February 8, 2014 by worlddog

[Canis]

If you accept an offer and you're certain about it being the only one you want - then yes. It lets them know that you no longer want to be considered and helps them in their process and helps everyone else applying. It's a standard thing to do.

[VioletAyame]

I'm not entirely sure how the withdrawal process works - I feel that it can be as simple as emailing them or as complicated as going through the app system or filling out a form depending on where they are in the reviewing process. I haven't heard of anyone doing it after getting accepted to their first choice. If the waiting is really affecting you, you should go ahead and do it - first contact the admission coordinator or someone else who's in charge and ask them how to formally withdraw your application. They may ask you why and in that case, I don't know if this particular reason is appropriate, but again, something as vague as "personal reason" will do. Don't lie to them or anything, but if you're suffering and it's not harming anyone you should find a way to end it. But if it's just to save face, I don't think that's necessary. I mean the admission decision is in theory confidential between you and the school. Nobody else needs to know if you don't tell them, not your top choice school nor your future cohort.

 

In the end, the decision is yours. IMO it's just quite a hassle to do something that's really not gonna matter at all. I can just ignore the upcoming decisions, and honestly since I already paid the app fee, I want to see how it all pans out.

[Canis]

All good advice - but honestly you can just tell them you've accepted another offer, you appreciate their attention to your application, but they can withdraw you from consideration. They're not going to doubt your seriousness.

[worlddog]

Thanks guys! I might just accept the offer and withdraw from programs that I know are still in the process of reviewing applications--not affecting others' chance and no need to go through the withdrawal procedures of every single school. 

[Meanyus]

I agree. I would just tell them that I have already made the decision to accept an offer and would like to withdraw my application so that they may spend their time considering other applicants. I feel it is actually a better thing to if you think you might be accepted, because it means they can throw another applicant on the waitlist, since you won't be taking up a spot.