Received acceptance, how can I ask for an extension to make my decision?

[tudor3x8]

Hi all,

I just got admitted to my second choice for a Masters in Social Work (Fordham). Unfortunately, as much as I would be thrilled to attend, they gave me my acceptance after 4 weeks & I have not heard back from any other universities (with the exception of Yeshiva requesting an interview next week). Fordham says that they will give me two weeks to make a decision, and should be sending my financial aid in a week. As I understand, there are some programs that require an April deadline to make a decision, but I'm not sure if social work is one of them.

Can I ask for an extension to making a decision? What's the best thing to say? Alternatively, could I request the other schools to make a decision earlier, or is this a serious no-no?

Thanks!

[Unimpressed3D]

Hi, tudor.

I think asking for an extension from the school that already admitted you is a much safer bet than asking other schools to hurry it up already. And two weeks seems like an awfully short time to me...especially since it's so early and most schools get back to you in February or March.

Congrats on being admitted to your second choice school! Best of luck!

[tudor3x8]

Thanks! Yeah, I figure it might be a little disrespectful to request them to hurry up... I'm sure they have plenty of applications to go through. Hopefully they'll get back to me soon about the extension.

[tudor3x8]

Hey Unimpressed,

Great news, they gave me an extensions after I asked and I took your advice to not ask other schools to give a faster decision. Thank you!

[kaybee8]

Tudor, can I ask how you handled asking for the extension?  How much more time did they grant you?  I'm in a similar situation right now... I got into a program I really like, but need to hear from the others before I choose.  Congrats on your acceptance! 

[tudor3x8]

1 hour ago, mncounselor said:

Tudor, can I ask how you handled asking for the extension?  How much more time did they grant you?  I'm in a similar situation right now... I got into a program I really like, but need to hear from the others before I choose.  Congrats on your acceptance! 

Hey mn,

I just asked them if I could request more time. I basically told them that I needed more time to think about the financial aid and that I wanted to visit the school with an official tour, but would not be able to do that until the original deadline passed. They gave me an extra 4 weeks, which should be enough time to hear back from others/decide if Fordham is right for me. Hope that helps!

[kaybee8]

Super helpful, thanks so much!  Good luck with your decision!

[tudor3x8]

Of course! Good luck with all of yours!