How to nicely/politely tell a school you're not planning to enroll?

[artichoke203]

So I got accepted to school A, with great funding and they're having a Visit Day in a few weeks. The conflict is that I already signed up to go to school B's Visit Day during that weekend, and school B is my preferred choice. From several other topics I've gathered that people usually try to reschedule the visit with one of the schools. However, at this point I'm pretty sure I won't be enrolling in school A so I don't think trying to reschedule would make a lot of sense. 

 

At the same time I really don't want to seem rude and NOT contact school A with at least a Thank-you note (or something like that) for their generous offer (I had not made prior contact). Would it be also rude to tell them right away that I don't plan on enrolling, especially without even visiting first?

 

What do you guys usually do? Or for those who have been through this already, how did you tell your POI of a school you've been admitted to but did not enroll?

 

Thanks.

[peachypie]

I honestly would still consider going just in case you are swayed more in person than you think you will be.  you get a much better feel from a visit than you do a website.  It is always better to have additional information and options to make the best informed decision.  I would encourage you to still take the visit if you can make it work.  have you been accepted officially by your preferred school B?  

[artichoke203]

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have been accepted to school B, also with a good funding offer, which is why I'm pretty much set on B right now. 

[emguth]

I've been saying something along the line of:

 

Thank you -name-. I really appreciate your offer of admission to -such and such school-. However, I have been offered admissions by another program and will be unable to accept the offer to attend -such and such school-. Thank you for your consideration.

 

 

********Be cordial and not offputting. These people WILL be your future colleagues.