Accepted to program early--waiting for others schools. What do I tell accepted school?

[1centerpage]

Ive been accepted to one PhD program w/funding but dont expect to hear from other programs for another month (right? late Feb? I dont even know!)--what do I tell the program thats accepted me>? The chair has emailed me twice and has offered to meet with me. Its awkward because its a small program (I may be the only student accepted)?

Edited February 3, 2015 by 1centerpage

[MathCat]

Unless there's an early deadline or something, just say thank you, you're interested in this offer (if you are), and if you want to visit/meet with them, do so. It doesn't commit you to anything. They know you will have other applications. It's good to know more about the program even if you end up getting accepted elsewhere - one school definitely moved up my list after I visited them.

[katanareiki]

I think you should ask them when the deadline for accepting/rejecting offer is and tell them that you have to consider other thing. They understand that we usually got offers from different schools. 

[Sujie]

I have a similar question. I got a very kind acceptance email, and I want to explain that I have an interview at another university.. But should I really write explicitly that I am waiting to hear from other schools; or just say thank you and keep silence until I can surely accept or reject the offer? 

[thr0waway]

In general they would expect most admitted students to be in your situation.  So just tell them you're really happy about the offer but are still waiting to hear back from other schools.  It's not awkward at all because it's completely normal

[grad_wannabe]

I wrote with an expanded version of basically "thank you for your offer, I will be in touch with my decision soon."

[InTheory]

Does anyone have experience with Canadian universities? I've just been accepted to McGill and my deadline to respond is March 6th! 

[exponto]

I am in a similar situation: I got accepted to my top-choice, but without funding. The deadline to accept is March 18th, but I'm not sure I will have heard back from all other schools by then, especially because I was told one won't send out decisions until late March! What should I do? It it kosher to ask for an extension?

[serenade]

Don't schools adhere to the Council of Graduate Schools' April 15 Resolution? (Assuming you're in the US.) For those that don't know, basically you cannot be forced to accept a funding offer before April 15.

 

I am constantly chastising faculty for trying to get around it. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned... 

You're not old fashioned! I also get so annoyed when schools try to make you commit, particularly in late February when plenty of schools haven't even released decisions yet! April 15 is April 15. No exceptions!

[MathCat]

Does anyone have experience with Canadian universities? I've just been accepted to McGill and my deadline to respond is March 6th! 

A different Canadian school gave me an early deadline. I negotiated an extension until early March, with the possibility of a further extension.

 

I am in a similar situation: I got accepted to my top-choice, but without funding. The deadline to accept is March 18th, but I'm not sure I will have heard back from all other schools by then, especially because I was told one won't send out decisions until late March! What should I do? It it kosher to ask for an extension?

It is fine to ask for an extension. I would also recommend inquiring with the other schools about your status. Tell them you have an offer with an early deadline.

 

By the way, the April 15 resolution applies only to funded offers, and only to schools who have signed on. It is not a universal agreement, and it seems that many Canadian schools don't adhere to it.