Exploding Admissions Offers

Hi all,

I have been accepted into two programs

I need to accept/decline the first offer by the end of Feb
I need to accept/decline the second offer by mid-march

The first school is my top choice, but did not give me much scholarship money
The second school is my second choice, but if it offered me a good enough scholarship, I would take it.
I find out about the scholarship award at the second school in early March, after the deadline for the first school.

What should I do in this situation? Is it kosher to e-mail the second school explaining my situation and asking for an earlier decision on scholarship awards (tactfully of course) ?

Thanks for the help

 

I feel like that would be pretty kosher, but don't be surprised if the second school straight up tells you no, as they may not have the award numbers until a specific date. If I were in your shoes, I'd also try a tactful email to the first school explaining your situation and trying to extend the deadline by a week or so, so that you can have a better picture of where you stand.

 

what's the difference in prestige, alumni network, and all round career prospects between 1st and 2nd choice? coz the difference in scholarship might not be that important considering the long-term benefits of going to the better school. either way, if it's target you'll make up the money soon enough anyway.

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 

don't make the mistake so many i've come across have - they kick themselves over not having gone to harvard, just because they wouldn't have gotten a scholarship there. in retrospect, you'll feel your choice had kept you back and will never forgive yourself. go achieve the most you possibly can and you'll never be sorry. money doesn't grow on trees, but it sure as hell ain't hard to come by if you're resourceful and hardworking.

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 

they are both good programs, equal prestige, exit opps both good. i just happen to like the first one better. it's going to come down to scholarship money

any ideas on how to tackle the issue above? i guess e-mailing them and explaining the situation is the best way to go?

what about e-mailing the first school and asking them to consider giving me a higher scholarship due to my acceptance at the second school?

 
Best Response

why so reluctant to name the schools PEDO? and whats the dollar difference in scholarship money? are you an international applicant? do you not have access to student loans (the rates are reasonable)? whats your current financial status like?

without that detail and more background, im likely to agree with DAGRA. youre in a position to make hundreds of thousands of dollars after your graduate and your experiences will be invaluable. money should not be THE driving factor here, imho.

however, you should definitely call (dont email, make it very personal) and talk to someone at each school extensively about your situation.

I would call S#2 first. relay that you have another offer with scholarship money that expires at the end of Feb. convey that the reason youre considering school #1 is mostly financial, ie your scholarship (talk background, financial position, etc) and be sure to reiterate your interest in school #2 as your preference. then push them on moving up your scholarship time line to feb so presumably you can choose their school instead. if they can do it, great. then youll have all the information you need. of course youll still have to make a tough decision (ex: what if they decide on a number just above S#1's scholarship money?)

if they cannot move the timeline, youre no worse off. call S#1 do what you did above and see if you can get more scholarship money out of them first (dont say anything about S#2 scholarship award date if you can help it, just say youre waiting). give the impression that you want to reach a financial comfort level with your scholarship money so that you can just commit and dismiss the other school. if they give you more money, id take the extra and be done. i would not ask them to push their time line back for you to consider another school that youre not certain if you will get a scholarship for or how much (i cant tell which one)? that relies on them being particularly nice when theyve already given you more than most applicants get. but others may disagree. it certainly seems ok. its not like they can take your admission back, right? still i would only use this strategy as a last resort.

ps: keep in mind, youre walking a fine like here...and may end up pissing some people off if you really put them through the ringer. also, be careful about blurring the lines and times. i would not be surprised if these schools talk to each other or at least know the other's scholarship dates/amounts/etc. they might find out and ding you at both places. so be careful.

i can see a couple other permutations. but ive already typed too much. PM me if you want more explanations.

 
wintonheights:
why so reluctant to name the schools PEDO? and whats the dollar difference in scholarship money? are you an international applicant? do you not have access to student loans (the rates are reasonable)? whats your current financial status like?

without that detail and more background, im likely to agree with DAGRA. youre in a position to make hundreds of thousands of dollars after your graduate and your experiences will be invaluable. money should not be THE driving factor here, imho.

however, you should definitely call (dont email, make it very personal) and talk to someone at each school extensively about your situation.

I would call S#2 first. relay that you have another offer with scholarship money that expires at the end of Feb. convey that the reason youre considering school #1 is mostly financial, ie your scholarship (talk background, financial position, etc) and be sure to reiterate your interest in school #2 as your preference. then push them on moving up your scholarship time line to feb so presumably you can choose their school instead. if they can do it, great. then youll have all the information you need. of course youll still have to make a tough decision (ex: what if they decide on a number just above S#1's scholarship money?)

if they cannot move the timeline, youre no worse off. call S#1 do what you did above and see if you can get more scholarship money out of them first (dont say anything about S#2 scholarship award date if you can help it, just say youre waiting). give the impression that you want to reach a financial comfort level with your scholarship money so that you can just commit and dismiss the other school. if they give you more money, id take the extra and be done. i would not ask them to push their time line back for you to consider another school that youre not certain if you will get a scholarship for or how much (i cant tell which one)? that relies on them being particularly nice when theyve already given you more than most applicants get. but others may disagree. it certainly seems ok. its not like they can take your admission back, right? still i would only use this strategy as a last resort.

ps: keep in mind, youre walking a fine like here...and may end up pissing some people off if you really put them through the ringer. also, be careful about blurring the lines and times. i would not be surprised if these schools talk to each other or at least know the other's scholarship dates/amounts/etc. they might find out and ding you at both places. so be careful.

i can see a couple other permutations. but ive already typed too much. PM me if you want more explanations.

Once again, the names of the schools and the amount of the scholarships are irrelevant, sorry.

My question is strictly pertaining to the strategy I should take in dealing with the time-line situation.

 

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