Worried about saying no through email?

[ddittmar]

Hello Everyone!

 

If you're worried about sending the program director of the school you've decided against an email like I was (neurosis or perfectionist), I just wanted to say they'll usually be nicer than you thought.

 

I sent off several emails today letting professors and chairs know that I would not be attending, and all I received back were compliments and well wishes. Sure I had agonized over the wording for those emails for two, maybe three, days. Searched through all present and past forums about saying no, had about four drafts of each, but no one is counting.  

 

Good luck to everyone this admissions cycle! Hopefully you'll all be lucky enough to have the opportunity to say no to some great programs!

[bakalamba]

Thanks for your story. Good luck in your studies.

 

It seems like a lot of applicants delay these emails, or are worried about how declining will affect future relationships with faculty at other institutions. I haven't had the opportunity to decline many offers (Haha) but it doesn't make sense how a cordial email would do this. (And if a faculty is angry at applicants choosing things for themselves, is this the character of a good advisor?)

 

Anyways, does anyone have stories about declining offers and getting a negative or offputting response?