midnightsociety2 wrote:
Update: I've been accepted at UNC with $$! The downside is that I have to let them know my decision within 15 days (by accepting and then paying a nonrefundable deposit). Does this seem really short to anyone else? I don't have much experience with app deadlines, but it seems short to me. I only just turned in the last of my apps (to USC and Austin) on Dec 1 and there's no way I'm going to hear back from those schools in time to meet the deadline, especially since it's around the holidays. I haven't even received an interview invite from USC.
Not sure what the best course of action is here... I don't mind eating the $500 nonrefundable deposit for UNC if that's what it comes down to, but is it okay to accept and then withdraw?
Congrats! Yeah, a lot of schools have a fairly quick turnaround time, though 15 days does seem a bit quick. The best thing to do now is to email the other schools you're considering and let them know that you got into UNC and what your decision deadline is. For Austin, the person to email is Keri Ledezma. You can find her contact info here:
https://my.mccombs.utexas.edu/MPA/Contact-Us Not sure about USC.
I got accepted to UNC about a week ago without scholarship (was going to wait to update here until I'd heard from Texas). When I emailed Texas, they said they could get me their admissions decision before my 15 days were up, so hopefully they can do the same for you.
If you do manage to get another offer from USC or Austin before your 15 days for UNC is up, you might be able to use that to leverage UNC to ask for another week or so to consider your options. Good luck with everything!