Hard to decide,REALLY need some help

[sylvie]

Hi everyone

I am an international student, and here is my situation.

I've applied to several schools, some rejection, some unknown, and ONE accepted.

I have a deadline pressure before 5/9, and they keep asking me to return an acceptance form as soon as possible.

(Because I have to deal with my I20, VISA, ETC.)

However, I've still NOT heard any news from some other school.

I would like to ask for some advise.

If there were other offers after I accepted, can I change my mind and go to the other one?

Am I allowed to do this? Will I have some LEGAL responsibilities?

I feel some kind of guilty, if I promise to go but not.

Does my behavior make the professors have some bad impression on the student from my country, and might make some of them hard to apply to this program later on?

Thanks for your kindly reading and patience in advance.

[snap]

I am afraid I do not have a concrete answer but am posting with whatever information I have which might not be very helpful.

That said, I also feel sympathy towards your situation being an international student myself.

From my experience of being in undergrad student here ins US. I think you have a right to switch schools whenever you want. It is common for people to switch schools after 1 yr or semester. However, since you might run into a situation where you will have to switch before you come over, you might have some immigration issues. I am guessing you might have to ask the us embassy to issue you a new copy of your visa indicating the new school you are attending.

From my experience, the school you are attending should help you stay informed on such issues. Also, don't bother asking the international student advisor at the school you are declining for help, they will just ignore you. But do ask the other schools who you are waiting to hear form, let them know your situation and they must be able to give you some tip.

Here is my tip: Get a i:20 when you can, apply for a visa, if you get a new i:20 before your interview you should be fine, if after the new schools and the consulate should be able to help you.

About your thought on making a bad impression about students from your country. It is very likely that professors will judge future applications based on their experience with students form the same region/country. But logically they should be able to understand (given the big brains they have). I advise you not to tell your i-20 issuing school about this whole plan until you are 200% sure you are going to switch. Once you have made your decision u should politely let them know and they will have to understand.

My best wishes for you.

[sylvie]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

So, is it fine to keep my spot, and get my I20 in advance?

If I have another choice before I get my student VISA, could I just take a new I20 to my VISA interview?

I am sorry that I have so many inquires, but I really feel so confused. I saw some discussions here that some people may declined to accept more than one spot until they really made their decision. Does the people in US think it is not a big deal to switch school after returning the acceptance form? So maybe, I don't have to take this so seriously?

But how do they tell their school when they decide not to go? just tell them they have a better choice, or make an excuse.

I feel sorry toward the administrators in the admission office. they have to help me deal with all the documents I need.

And how could I tell them after receiving so many assistants?

Thanks the help and advise in advance.

[pshrestha]

Why don't you ask for an extension to the offer?

[Stories]

My gut tells me you're not in at the other schools that have yet to respond to you. It's pretty late in the game, and well past the April 15th date by which nearly all schools use as a cutoff date for notifications. Contact the other schools to see where you stand.

[snap]

Talking about difficult situations to be in as a international student here, I just learned that my employment status just got jeopradized coz my undergrad school issued me a i-20 for grad studies (without me saying ok to their offer). life is gr8. If anyone got into a similiar situation i would like to hear the story.

To get back to you Sylvie,

I agree with stories.

Here is what I would do if i were you.

So, is it fine to keep my spot, and get my I20 in advance? definitley yes.

If I have another choice before I get my student VISA, could I just take a new I20 to my VISA interview? I would ask the new school and consulate for advice, if nothing I would just take both of them to my interview.

I am sorry that I have so many inquires, but I really feel so confused.

Dont feel bad everyone has issues here.

I saw some discussions here that some people may declined to accept more than one spot until they really made their decision. Does the people in US think it is not a big deal to switch school after returning the acceptance form? So maybe, I don't have to take this so seriously?

Well i dont know about PHD but during undergrad switching schools was very common in my experience, i guess the same applies. But you do have reasone to worry about i.e visa.

But how do they tell their school when they decide not to go?

I would like to know that too, I need to talk to my undergrad school.

I feel sorry toward the administrators in the admission office. they have to help me deal with all the documents I need.

And how could I tell them after receiving so many assistants?

Dont worry they are getting paid for all that help. U wont feel sorry once u see their real face (after u tell them u are not going that is).