Let offers expire or decline?

Question

Already got multiple offers and almost decided to accept one of them. Should I let other offers expire or sign and send out the decline form?
Should I tell the truth on the decline form that I'm going to that school? Or just make up some other excuses to turn them down?

machichi · Answer

Why would you lie? There's no reason to. Just fill it out with your thanks but no thanks. You're not the only person who's going to say no.

kingfalcon · Answer

If you're positive you aren't going to the other schools, do the other schools (and the waitlisters) a favor by declining your spot.

CriticalSquare · Answer

Hi there,

If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to have acceptances from numerous universities, you have a responsibility to play by the rules you expected of these programs. You don't necessarily have to tell them why you are declining (they may ask, and you can be as specific or as ambiguous as you would like) but you should absolutely notify programs where you will not be attending as soon as possible.

After all, there are other candidates out there who are all trying for the same spots! The world's a small place and it's an easy way to stand up and do the right thing the right way.

Bhavik

TonyMontana896 · Answer

Please decline the offer. That is the correct thing to do. I don't understand why you would even feel the need to lie. If they ask why you are declining you can leave it blank if you like, but why would you lie?

ADROCK · Answer

Hi all. I am declining the offer at one of the schools I was accepted to. I have already declined through the online form.

Do you think it's necessary/unnecessary to personally email the adcom who interviewed me to thank him and let him know of my decision?

Thank you!

CriticalSquare · Answer

@ADROCK: that is a very nice touch and I think you don't hurt yourself by doing so. Like I mentioned, the world is small and in more ways than just one. I think it's a really nice gesture that they'll appreciate. You may not ever get anything from it, but you surely won't lose anything either!

ManhattanReview · Answer

Thanks for posting this.

If you are going to decline an offer of admissions from a school, please notify them by whatever means they ask. This is not much to ask and you will free the spot up for another deserving candidate. Another way to think of it -- they were kind enough to admit you -- you should be kind enough to let them know that you will not be accepting their invitation.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

michelangelo88 · Answer

Im in a tough situation guys.
A good school has offered me a place and the first reservation fee deadline is a few days away.
But, I am still waiting for some more schools to respond to make an informed decision.
At the same time, not knowing if I will be accepted or rejected from the remaining schools, I want to make the initial payment (pretty small) so that I don't lose the place I have already.

But what do I do in case, my target school offers me a place after I have made this payment?
How would I go about rejecting a place from the school XYZ?
I hope they do not issue the CAS letter as soon as I transfer the reservation fee.

mgg234 · Answer

You can decline admission after paying the deposit fee. Only Columbia ED is binding. You lose the deposit fee though.

michelangelo88 · Answer

That's good to know. I was worried about the binding part.
Deposit fee of most schools in the initial stages is generally minimal, thank god for that.

Let offers expire or decline?

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