Accepted AND wait listed...Now what?

[erdestromp]

I have thankfully been accepted into a program and have been given the April 15th deadline. However, I'm wait listed at a few in-state programs, one of which I was told I am high in the wait list. These programs don't admit off of the wait list until after the April deadline though. I am not willing to not accept my offer on the chance of getting off of the wait list, but come April 17th or 18th, what happens if I get accepted to another program?

 

Does anyone know the repercussions of rescinding an offer after the deadline? I have not yet been informed if I need to put down a deposit or anything. I am already aware it is not the most professional decision (and yes, that does bother me a great deal) but I also know they can't technically make me attend their program. Any information? Anyone else in the same boat?

 

I have seen another thread on this but the answers were to ask for an extension, which is not possible at this point. 

[erdestromp]

I'm also aware it wouldn't exactly come off very well to email the school and be like, "so will I get in trouble if I accept and then change my mind? lolz just wonderin" 

[madisong23]

I am in the same boat! I was told that there aren't any long term repercussions to turning down your offer after accepting it. No, it isn't easy and it probably doesn't look great but these types of things happen all the time. Good luck!! 

[dial1010usa]

erdestromp- How did you find out about washington state university? from their portal, via email or postal mail?

[erdestromp]

erdestromp- How did you find out about washington state university? from their portal, via email or postal mail?

 

I received an email last week, I think it was Thursday or Friday.

[lgwslp]

I'm in the same situation.. On a waiting list and still haven't heard from a few, but accepted to a great school. It's tough to know what's appropriate. 

[ljhslp]

I'm in the same boat, too. I've done a lot of research and contacted professors from my undergraduate institution to find out more information on this, and this is what I've been told: You can accept the offer. If you are accepted elsewhere after you've accepted your initial offer, you can write a letter of resignation and get a written release from the previously accepted offer. At that time, you can accept the new offer. I was a little worried about how this looks and if it was going to be a big deal or not. However, my professors assured me that it's VERY common. This happens all the time, and the schools are use to it. They will give you the written release to accept the second offer, especially if it's early on in the game (April 15-May15). They told me it was basically just a way to keep students and universites "in check." Hope this helps!

[lgwslp]

Thanks for the tip! that's really helpful to know. Good luck to all of you deciding! Either way, We're going to grad school!!!

[madisong23]

I'm in the same boat, too. I've done a lot of research and contacted professors from my undergraduate institution to find out more information on this, and this is what I've been told: You can accept the offer. If you are accepted elsewhere after you've accepted your initial offer, you can write a letter of resignation and get a written release from the previously accepted offer. At that time, you can accept the new offer. I was a little worried about how this looks and if it was going to be a big deal or not. However, my professors assured me that it's VERY common. This happens all the time, and the schools are use to it. They will give you the written release to accept the second offer, especially if it's early on in the game (April 15-May15). They told me it was basically just a way to keep students and universites "in check." Hope this helps!

 

so how do you go about getting a written release? just ask the department head of the university where you accepted an offer? 

[ljhslp]

https://www.cgsnet.o..._Resolution.pdf

In an email I got from one of the schools I was accepted to, it says to follow these guidelines (if you accept an offer then decide to accept another offer). They stated in the email that you need to write the school a letter of resignation and the school will give you a written release. I'm not sure the details (how to write or word the letter, how the other school receives the release, etc.), but these are the guidelines as far as I've been told. This link came directly from a school I was accepted to as well as from a professor at my own undergraduate institution.

[erdestromp]

Thankfully, one of my friends emailed the school I was accepted to and asked a few questions including what happens if an acceptance is rescinded. The faculty member said there were no repercussions at all, but they do encourage people to only accept if they are 100% sure. I guess like ljhslp said above though, I'm sure it's fairly common. I have decided I will accept my offer close to the 15th, and then wait until the end of the month. At that point I will withdraw myself from the waitlists and really focus on my plans for my accepted school. That gives some time to see if I get off a waitlist in-state, but doesn't leave me hanging around and not knowing if I should look for housing, plan to move, etc. Hopefully this information helps others, although my accepted school does not require a down-payment or anything so it may be different for other programs.

 

[Papaya91]

Just wanted to throw in my two cents - my waitlist letter from the UW MedSLP program told me that it's okay to accept somewhere while you're waiting to hear about a waitlist, and then turn the first school down if you get off the waitlist at your preferred school. Most schools share the April 15th deadline, so they understand that the waitlists don't tend to move until after that. I think as long as you tell them as quickly as possible, and you do it in a polite manner, everything should be fine.

I've also heard of people asking for an extension on the April 15th deadline to give time to hear about the waitlist - maybe that's something to look into?

[emikate51]

Did you guys end up accepting the offer and waiting it out as well? I did not expect this to happen to me! I was just accepted off a waitlist yesterday and have to make a decision by April 15th. I'm also on the waitlist at my top choice just due to price and location but don't think I'll find out until after April 15th. I guess I'll just accept and see what happens?

[Acrain313]

I accepted my offer yesterday because I did not want to lose it. I am wait listed at 2 schools, one of which is my top choice. If I am accepted to my top choice, I will accept the offer and let the other school know I would like to withdrawal my decision. I hate to do it, but I know this happens all the time. Good luck!