Admission decline letter

[mlv98]

Luckily, I received admission offers from my top choices. I asked a lot of questions during my campus visit and via e-mails, and all schools were very responsive and accommodating.

It was really difficult for me to pick one school over another, so I feel bad that I have to decline their offers.  I wonder if it's a good idea to write a few sentences to express my gratitude for their offer and responses to my questions, or  is it not professional to do so? Thank you in advance.

[charlemagne88]

I've never had to decline an offer before so I can't say for sure, but it seems like it would be a good idea to me. After all, the higher education community is small and you may end up running into some of these people in the future. As a rule it's always a good idea to be polite and respectful. 

[GradSchoolTruther]

Just write a short email expressing appreciation for the offer, and you've accepted an offer from another university. Why feel do you have to feel about turning down an offer? You're the one who spent the money applying.

[svent]

Just be polite about it. I'd tell them which school you chose if they ask, or if you're close to someone at the department and would consider them a part of your professional network. Otherwise don't bother. I don't think the email needs to be more than two sentences long.

If they had rejected you instead, they wouldn't feel bad about it (you spent money to apply as well). Now the shoe is on the other foot. I promise you as soon as you reject their offer, they'll send an offer to the person at the top of the waitlist.

Edited March 31, 2016 by svent

[janetjanejune]

Sent two decline e-mails after I accepted an offer from another. One program accepted me, another reached out to touch base.

Kept the e-mails short and professional. Thanked them for the offer, stated how it was a difficult decision, mentioned that I wish to work together in the future. The program that accepted me wrote that they were disappointed but understanding. Had me fill out a survey on why I chose another program (not their business tbh) and how they could improve. The other program thanked me for my response and wished me well.

[TakeruK]

1 hour ago, janetjanejune said:

Sent two decline e-mails after I accepted an offer from another. One program accepted me, another reached out to touch base.

Kept the e-mails short and professional. Thanked them for the offer, stated how it was a difficult decision, mentioned that I wish to work together in the future. The program that accepted me wrote that they were disappointed but understanding. Had me fill out a survey on why I chose another program (not their business tbh) and how they could improve. The other program thanked me for my response and wished me well.

I agree with this. Don't go on a long paragraph explaining why they were so great but you just had to pick another one. It will just sound patronizing. Honestly, they won't be too sad about it.

As for the "exit survey" you got, this is standard practice. I actually encourage you to be honest because it's anonymous and information like that is how schools are able to advocate for changes. For example, if a lot of people said they picked another offer because the stipend is too low (or the cost of living is too high etc.), then this is evidence/data that the faculty can take to the Graduate School and try to get more funding for the students. Sure, it doesn't help you since you declined that offer, but other people doing this to the school you've accepted in the past probably helped you now.

[janetjanejune]

1 hour ago, TakeruK said:

I agree with this. Don't go on a long paragraph explaining why they were so great but you just had to pick another one. It will just sound patronizing. Honestly, they won't be too sad about it.

As for the "exit survey" you got, this is standard practice. I actually encourage you to be honest because it's anonymous and information like that is how schools are able to advocate for changes. For example, if a lot of people said they picked another offer because the stipend is too low (or the cost of living is too high etc.), then this is evidence/data that the faculty can take to the Graduate School and try to get more funding for the students. Sure, it doesn't help you since you declined that offer, but other people doing this to the school you've accepted in the past probably helped you now.

Ah I see. Didn't think of it like that.

I was honest in my responses. Didn't tell them where I was attending, but told them the graduate assistantship package I accepted is what drew me in. They can deduce from that that their stipend needs to be raised to match the cost of living (train ride away from NYC).