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I finalized my deal today. I withdrew my first offer and accepted the second one after 4-15, and thus, I would like to share some of my ideas. I did not find any previous threads talking about this issue, although there is one on SHUI MU QING HUA.
04/21/2006
My philosophy has always been "the simpler the better"; however, this year, I did meet something "complicated". I reorganized this original thread, so that it would be bit clearer and more straightforward.
B school awarded me a funding package on the day of Apr 17th and thus I withdrew my acceptance from A school afterward.
While I was talking with the directors from both of these schools, my direct feeling was that none of these schools really paid attention to the resolution of 4-15. Even today, when I called the graduate admission office of A school, I was still asked why I insisted having such a written release. Nevertheless, I would never encourage anybody to take risk. No one knows what would happen and we should have things done as perfect as can. And for me, I waited until this noon to confirm with B school after I got something in written from A school.
Looking back the resolution, we can notice the word "release". Previously, I would interpret it more as "permission" and now, I would interpret it more as "mutual notification". The director of B school told me that such withdrawal happened every year and he never heard any school trying to force a student stay at the program, and indeed, in this "free" country, no one would do so. Afterward, during the conversation with the director of A school, I was once again told that such withdrawal was common and I "should" choose what best for me. Thus, I infer the intention of "release"is to urge students to notify, and consequently get confirmation from, the first school before accepting the offer from the second one.
For the future impact, I can only wish it could be as small as possible.
Withdrawal, no matter pre 4-15 or post 4-15, is not an easy decision; however it is possible and feasible.
04/16/2006
Per Margaret1013 MM's request, I am updating this thread.
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Disclaimer: The following message is to my best knowledge and it might be more helpful to PhD applicants. I don't think it applies to admission only case. For admission of a Master's degree with funding, I admit I have no idea regarding whether the resolution of 4-15 is applicable.
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Midnight Apr 15th has been passed, and literally I lost the pre-Apr-15 privilege. As I have been dealing with 2 schools for the past 3-4 weeks, I will like to share some of my experience. Hopefully, I can highlight something useful for new-comers in the future.
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A school accepted me first and I also confirmed the offer via email with the school as I was only given 10 days; however, I decided to hold the confirmation with the graduate school till Apr 15th. B school accepted me afterward, but the funding issue has failed to be finalized. I somehow was in the middle of the scenarios Offer and Waiting List. Two offers on my track have been both accepted, but the school is still actively seeking funding for me. I fell grateful regarding this.
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Examining what I have done, I think there are some lessons.
1, Should try to push the deadline back to Apr 15th, if the school sets up an early deadline. It is quite understandable for the school to set up a deadline earlier than Apr 15th, as it is much convenience for them to wipe up all the deals. However, for the applicants like us, it is definitely unfair. I think we can argue with school citing the resolution of Apr 15th. I assume most of the schools will concede, as we have grounds in any sense.
2. Be frank to the school. If the school cannot agree to push back the deadline and you also don't want to sacrifice such a chance, I think we need to address out possible results to the school. We can simply ask the school, “What if I get another offer after I accept yours? May I resign, prior to Apr 15th (or even after Apr 15th)?” B school told me that one student did address such a concern to them this year, and the school believed that it was understandable that students wanted to secure a slot first and accept a better offer afterward. Obviously, I cannot guarantee every school will be the same; however, it is better to explore all possible scenarios first. For example, one professor of mine told me when she applied for PhD program by then, one school accepted her very early and asked her to make a decision in a short frame. She asked the school regarding the resignation after acceptance, and she was told this school would not be comfortable with such an action. She rejected this offer immediately, and gambling on another school, and eventually she won. Anyway, we can try to use a conditional acceptance to reserve our rights in such a case. The school won't easily withdraw the offer only because such arguments back and forth.
3. Document all the conversations between you and the schools properly. According to the common law practice in US, cyber message, such as email can be used as the proof. We won't expect a law suit; however it won't hurt if we prepare the worst. Try to address all your concerns in your email and have copies in your out-box fold. Save all replies from school and faculty. It is still common that the school and faculty cannot reply our email, or what they reply is not what we want to know. In this case, it is better to have a dialogue over the phone and discuss the entire issue. If so, it is necessary to write down the time, date, name of the person who answers your call and the answers this person has given to you.
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Last but not least, I would like to address my appreciation to several friends here. This afternoon, I got a message from one buddy and this made me quite happy.
03/14/2006
I always believe I will get something I deserve eventually, and indeed, I did. A small PhD offer from a so-so school. Don't know whatelse would come in the near future, but it is BIG enough to make me set.
Not interested in elaborating more. Meanwhile, please don't ask. I am not a NN, and I really have no asset of which I could be proud.
I have ruined my life in one sense, but this is something I am not able to regret at. However, life turns around, and I will certainly take this offer as my first stap of my new life.
Got to know some friends here, esp. one Bro. in Vancouver. Wish him my best on his journey.
I want to address my greatest appreciation to one special person. Without your support, I might continue wandering around. Thanks!
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发表于 2006-3-14 06:12:00
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