Multiple acceptances - what to do?

[lol.psych]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm exceptionally grateful to have been put into the super-rad position of having multiple (3) acceptances. I'm not taking this for granted, and this is not a "woe is me! everything is terrible! I have to make a hard decision! pity me, PLEASE" post.

So. I've got 3 acceptances. I feel kind of bad holding on to them when I know there's other people out there who love these schools and are anxiously awaiting a response and would kill for an acceptance. My question is, how long should I hold on to them? I haven't gotten any info about financial stuff from any of them, and money's a huge issue for me (because of the economy, stuff with my family, unexpected expenses, etc). They're all about the same, tuition-wise (one is in-state, and two are in Texas, where OOS tuition is lower than in-state in most places). They've all got different positive and negative attributes, and I can't confidently say right now that I'd rather go to any of them over the others. (even with my big ol' spreadsheet)

So: how long to hold on to these? Any tips for deciding?
(Please PM me if you've got any advice, or if you go to UMDNJ-NJMS, UTHSCSA, or UTMB and have anything strong [either super-positive or super-negative] to say)

 

[FlowLimited]

If you can't confidently rank any school above the others, then hold on to all three acceptances until you can. Remember, you earned these acceptances and there's no reason why you shouldn't hold on to them as long as you can in order to make the best decision for you.

Holding onto your acceptances does not make you a greedy person. On the contrary, it makes you a smart applicant who wants to consider all aspects before making a very important decision. Don't let other people convince you otherwise.

 

[TeamZissou]

Well, I know that fafsa opens up Jan or Feb of next year and that the earlier you were accepted and the earlier you have your fafsa completed you will sometimes get your financial aid package earlier. That being said I know schools cannot see the other acceptances you have until late spring(march comes to mind, dunno why). I don't know if they readjust the packages they at that time or how they "compete" to get the students they really want at that point. But good news is that you don't have to give up your acceptances until May 15th!

I'm really interested in the full answer to this question as well....🙂

 

[Bacchus]

Agreed with the poster above. If you cannot confidently strike any from your list then hold onto all 3. I would specifically wait for financial aid packages. That puts you into February, March, or even April, way before May 15 when you must make a decision.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

See, her problem is that since she has 2 TX acceptances, she needs to give up one before January, because that is TX law... I say keep 1 Texas and your state school, and then wait for fin aid!🙂

 

[FlowLimited]

See, her problem is that since she has 2 TX acceptances, she needs to give up one before January, because that is TX law... I say keep 1 Texas and your state school, and then wait for fin aid!🙂

An important factor, yes. However, the fact remains that the OP should hold on to her acceptances as long as possible or until she can make a confident decision one way or another.

 

[Depakote]

You may or may not find this helpful:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=521686

 

[lol.psych]

Thanks, everyone!!
Also, THAT IS THE GREATEST SPREADSHEET IN HISTORY. For serious. Thank you!!

 

[rockydoc]

You may or may not find this helpful:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=521686

This is a cool spreadsheet. My only problem is that I dont quite know how to "rank" the different characteristics. Im not sure yet how money should factor into my decision / staying at home / whatever. By the way, how much should money factor into my decision???? And what qualities in a school would justify your spending a whole bunch of extra money to go there???

 

[paradisedoc]

You need to hold onto your acceptances until you are confident that you are making the right decision. You will begin to feel pressure from your friends on SDN and your friends in real life who have not been accepted to any schools while you are holding multiple acceptances. Do not let them guilt you into turning down schools until you are ready. At least wait until you see what the financial aid packages are. The economy is suffering this year and even those of you who think you are flush may find that financial aid plays a heavier part in your decision come the spring than you think it will now. Also, you may be able to use financial aid packages from one school to get more aid from another.
Additionally, you may think you want a particular school because of a girlfriend or boyfriend and then break up with them before springtime. Or, conversely, you may have a new significant other by the time your decision needs to be made and you may choose a location that was not that important to you in the winter.
You may think you want to be in NYC, for example, and withdraw from all other schools except one in NYC. Then you may find that you really don't like it all that much at second look, or you really don't want to be in an urban environment, and then you are stuck.
As an earlier poster stated, you worked hard for your acceptances, and you deserve to keep them for as long as you need to make an informed and best decision for you.
Do not give into pressure. It is your life (or at least four years of it.)
And, to all with acceptances, multiple or not, CONGRATULATIONS.
And to all waiting to hear, IT WILL HAPPEN!. Best of luck!

 

[NTF]

Hold every acceptance until you get your financial aid package, unless you ABSOLUTELY know you wouldn't attend a particular school. Don't ever let anyone make you feel guilty about it. You've busted your hump to get this point and you've earned the right to thoughtfully consider your options before making a decision.

 

[Lukkie]

put your offer to withdraw on ebay