Declining an Offer after having accepted it?

[ThisAintASurfinMovie]

Hi everyone,

 

I was hoping someone could tell me if it is possible, and what the procedure would be, to turn down an offer/be released after I had already accepted a program. I've signed and submitted the contracts and international student forms as well though. =( 

As background, my top choice was not offering me any guaranteed funding so I went with the next best choice. And while figuring out the best way to decline my top choice, they emailed me to say I had received a Fellowship! So now I think I very likely want to go with my top choice. Is it possible for me to back out from the program I accepted since April 15th hasn't passed yet?

 

Thanks a lot!

[anthropologygeek]

Send an email requesting the release to the grad coordinator and pray they release you

[DigDeep(inactive)]

Ouch. Yep, never thought I'd say this, but anthropologygeek is right. 

[KindaHardWorker]

As someone who hasn't dealt with this scenario or known anyone who did... what exactly can the first school do?  Can they legally prevent you from going to another school?

[ThisAintASurfinMovie]

Thanks for the responses guys =) 

 

KindaHardWorker, from what I've found in some quick research I can request to withdraw in writing up until April 15th freely, so I'm going to do that. I didn't see anything in the contract that indicated it would be a problem so fingers crossed.