So how do I accept an offer?

[excitedgradwithquestions]

I was offered admissions to my top school! I was sent an email with the offer, saying that the official email would come later in the mail and that they would prefer if I could tell them my decision sooner rather than later. I emailed the woman back (this was not the program director, but the admissions director) saying that I would be accepting admission, I was excited to join the program, etc. and received no response. Did I accept correctly? Do I need to do something else? A few days afterwards (and three days ago) I sent the same woman an email asking about when we would receive the list of PIs who are taking students and again, no response. Do you think she's just busy? 

 

I'm just worried because I don't want to screw this up! 

[abby_wyn]

Same boat here. I got the mail from my top school and went ahead and emailed my potential advisor who also happened to be the graduate chair. It's been a week and no reply. I would say give it at least a week - 10 days before you email them back. There's no way you messed it up. I think they are just too busy. Think about it. They can't just say "sorry you have been kinda in a rush we can't accept you anymore." We will be fine

[TakeruK]

I think you did the right thing. To officially accept/decline, you usually have to do it through the Graduate School (some places let you do it through a web form, some places want you can scan+email, fax, or snail mail a signed decision letter back (it's basically one of those Do you like me? Yes/No [check one] type notes).

 

But it's also good to let your department know directly, which is what you did. Perhaps they aren't able to move forward until they get the official letter. Although I agree that some kind of confirmation would be nice! I got a reply within the same day from the school I accepted (but this was after the official letter was already sent to me--I had just emailed the department letting them know that I plan to accept and had just submitted my official response form to the Graduate School that morning!).

 

I agree that it does not sound like you could have done anything wrong. You should get the official letter soon, hopefully, so maybe when you submit the real thing, you can also let them know

[excitedgradwithquestions]

Oh - that makes sense. On the graduate school webpage, it says, "Your program has recommended you for admission. The Graduate School will be reviewing your file. Please refer to this page for updates." 

 

Maybe the program is just waiting for the school to review my checklist. That could make sense. 

 

Thank you! My nerves are calmed now. 

[PhDerp]

Also, as for e-mailing 3 days ago, she might be on spring break! Maybe not, but the contact at my university is. So it's not impossible!