Withdrawing from WL for school I sent a LOI?

[BlueBudgie]

I’m facing a pretty big conundrum here. My previous #1 school waitlisted me back in November, and I haven’t heard anything since (I know most movement won’t happen until after the 30th, but it’s been complete radio silence). A few days ago, I got an insane scholarship offer from a school that I was accepted to: they’re offering to cover all of my first year and a third of each subsequent year. This is huge for me, as I’m not going to have much parental support and was planning on using loans to pay for everything. In my LOI, I did specifically say I would attend IF I was offered an acceptance. So, if I withdraw from my position on the waitlist, without being offered an acceptance, will that still look bad? I still really love this school, so I don’t want to ruin my image with them, but I also love not being broke 😭.

I know I should have thought about this before submitting a LOI, but I honestly wasn’t expecting to ever receive a scholarship offer like this.

Does anyone have any advice?

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[Dr.Freedman MedEdits]

Congratulations!!! This is huge. First of all, any medical school would understand the smart move to attend where you will incur the least amount of debt. Second, since this school has not yet offered you a spot, the ethical thing to do is to withdraw so that offer can go to someone else. This won't look bad, but withdraw ASAP.

 

[wysdoc]

I’m facing a pretty big conundrum here. My previous #1 school waitlisted me back in November, and I haven’t heard anything since (I know most movement won’t happen until after the 30th, but it’s been complete radio silence). A few days ago, I got an insane scholarship offer from a school that I was accepted to: they’re offering to cover all of my first year and a third of each subsequent year. This is huge for me, as I’m not going to have much parental support and was planning on using loans to pay for everything. In my LOI, I did specifically say I would attend IF I was offered an acceptance. So, if I withdraw from my position on the waitlist, without being offered an acceptance, will that still look bad? I still really love this school, so I don’t want to ruin my image with them, but I also love not being broke 😭.

I know I should have thought about this before submitting a LOI, but I honestly wasn’t expecting to ever receive a scholarship offer like this.

Does anyone have any advice?

Withdraw from the WL and enjoy the freedom of lower debt burden!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Advice: take the bag/scholarship!

 

[Goro]

Admissions Deans consider Lois to be lies anyway, so withdraw and don't look back

 

[BlueBudgie]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I was going to withdraw today, but as I was drafting the email they literally called me with an acceptance 😵‍💫😵‍💫😭😭.

 

[MSappinfo]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I was going to withdraw today, but as I was drafting the email they literally called me with an acceptance 😵‍💫😵‍💫😭😭.

Nice problem to have! A at the LOI school vs A w mucho$$$. Congratulations!

 

[LindaAccepted]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I was going to withdraw today, but as I was drafting the email they literally called me with an acceptance 😵‍💫😵‍💫😭😭.

Ask for a meeting and see if the second A will match (or at least offer you some money.)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I was going to withdraw today, but as I was drafting the email they literally called me with an acceptance 😵‍💫😵‍💫😭😭.

Congratulations! Negotiation time! How much do you think you'll need to turn down a free ride? You need to gather your numbers before meeting with the other school. Good luck!

 

[BlueBudgie]

Congratulations! Negotiation time! How much do you think you'll need to turn down a free ride? You need to gather your numbers before meeting with the other school. Good luck!

Thank you so much! Do you think I’ll still be able to negotiate even though I’ve sent a LOI? I feel like I’ve already told them that I will accept whether they offer me anything or not.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Thank you so much! Do you think I’ll still be able to negotiate even though I’ve sent a LOI? I feel like I’ve already told them that I will accept whether they offer me anything or not.

You might as well try. You have a full-ride scholarship at a different school, so it doesn't hurt you now to ask. But you must be comfortable turning down a full ride... and your family should support you if you decide to turn it down.

 

[LindaAccepted]

Thank you so much! Do you think I’ll still be able to negotiate even though I’ve sent a LOI? I feel like I’ve already told them that I will accept whether they offer me anything or not.

The question boils down to whether you would attend the program without financial aid if they don't cough up something. If you are in a position where financially you would go to the program that offers you aid and forego the acceptance from your top choice school, then very respectfully and courteously say something along the following lines.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to attend School A. As I wrote you, your program is my top choice. That hasn't changed.

"However School B extended XYZ in financial aid and I am simply not in a position to turn that kind of assistance down. Is there any possibility that you can match the offer I have from School B? I would be eternally grateful and would immediately accept your offer regardless of what other financial aid offers I receive.

"Thank you again for your time and efforts throughout the application process and now in considering my request for financial aid."

 

[BlueBudgie]

Thank you again, everyone! I sent the email this afternoon to see if they’d be willing to match my offer. I’ll post an update when I get a response!