Withdrawing From a Program...

[futureslp88]

I was wondering if anyone has had to withdraw from a program yet? I got off the waitlist to School A and need to tell School B that I would like to withdraw. I am SO nervous becasuse the director has been so nice and it seems like the program is so personable (small cohort of 20ish students). Also, I feel as though it is so late to withdraw.. Not sure if people have been calling and talking to the director directly or if they have been just writing an email? Any advice would be appreciated!

[emikate51]

I'm still hoping this will happen to me! If it does I plan to just email the person that sent the acceptance email asking to withdrawl and see if there's anything else I need to do since I've already registered for summer classes. Hopefully I'll know for sure before classes start for the one I've been accepted to already! I think an email would be fine though. 

[skeener687]

I think this is actually very common. They probably come to expect at least one withdrawal from each program. I know someone who was accepted from a wait list in August last year, from what I assume was a withdrawal from that program. I think you should inform them by email or letter, or even contact the director directly to explain the situation to him/her and see what should be done. Just don't put it off!

[goingtobeslp13]

I had previously accepted/sent in a deposit before I got an acceptance from my first choice school (not off the waitlist, they were just really late in notifying). I emailed my advisor, the administrative assistant, and financial aid office. I also had to withdraw myself from the classes I had registered for. Hope it helps! Everyone was very understanding.

[twinguy7]

All directors I have talked to know that it is very typical for many accepted students to withdraw and even as late as August as was stated above.  They are all very nice about it as they know it happens every year.

Edited May 1, 2014 by twinguy7

[GandalfTheGrey]

I was wondering if anyone has had to withdraw from a program yet? I got off the waitlist to School A and need to tell School B that I would like to withdraw. I am SO nervous becasuse the director has been so nice and it seems like the program is so personable (small cohort of 20ish students). Also, I feel as though it is so late to withdraw.. Not sure if people have been calling and talking to the director directly or if they have been just writing an email? Any advice would be appreciated!

If you've had a lot of contact with the director, calling would be the more personal way to withdraw your acceptance. It's not required, but it's a nice gesture. I had to do that two years ago and the director thanked me for calling and said she appreciated getting a phone call instead of an email. I second what other posters have said that it's totally acceptable to withdraw your acceptance and email is perfectly appropriate, but calling might be a nice thing to do.

[sunflower3]

Hi Everyone!

I'm in the same boat, I'd already accepted an offer (with ga position) but then got accepted into my dream school off the wait list. 

I'm worried about how to appropriately word the email (DEFINITELY don't have the courage to make the phone call to be honest)...should we be straightforward and admit that we decided to go with another program, or be more vague and just simply state that unfortunately you have to rescind your acceptance of the offer? 

I'd appreciate anyone's advice

[Missthang]

What I would do if sending an email is say something about thank you again for the offer of admission. However, I have recently been accepted at _____ university and would like to rescind my offer. _____ university is closer to home/more cost effective (whatever the reason) and I believe it is in my best interest to acceptance my seat there due to these reasons. Obviously reword to make it more professional but that's just my first thought of how I would put it. I'd also ask if you need to submit an actual letter or anything on your part to help out with the process.

[GandalfTheGrey]

I agree with Missthang. You don't gain anything by being vague, and they know people are going to rescind acceptances. You're not letting the university down.

[chitchat2016]

Especially if you were accepted early or offered any sort of funding package, I think it's only appropriate to call. I know we're a digital generation but I think it's impersonal to send an email. The school spent time selecting you over hundreds of people and I think a quick phone call expresses that you sincerely are rescinding the acceptance.