Had the interview the day before yesterday. Went very smoothly. The professor was very nice and was talking most of the time. Got the formal offer yesterday.
Maybe you can bargain with the professors. I don't know why the deadline is so early. You can tell the professor that you are still waiting for other schools and ask for their consideration.
actually i don't understand how the 4-15 rule works.
if people turn down offers on 4-15, the schools will have to give these offers to the shortlisted people. but after 4-15, these shortlisted people might have already confirmed offers elsewhere... so the offers will eventually go to the less capable people who were not taken anywhere else... am i right?