<p>Going to accept the Yale offer (!!), but do feel really appreciative about the other offers received and was wondering how others politely decline offers of admission. I'm especially thinking about some of the regional reps who were truly great to me. Letter or email to them? To the Admissions Office? Both? To Recommenders? Thank you.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your decision. I think a note thanking them for their time and consideration, while not necessary, is a nice thing to do. If you have their street address a written note would work but if you have been corresponding via e-mail that is fine. </p>
<p>Although some may think its a waste of time I have found in life that you never know what will happen in the future and you may have occasion to meet or interact with these people again. They will remember your thoughtfulness!</p>
<p>I agree that the courteous thing to do is send an e-mail thanking them for the offer and explaining that you had a difficult choice to make and that you have to decline their offer.</p>
<p>These regional reps are all volunteers (save for the adcom) and it would be nice to thank them for their time. You will never regret taking the time to extend such a courtesy now or in the future when you are looking for a job and politely decline an offer.</p>
<p>BTW, good decision.</p>
<h1>Below is the declination letter (snail mailed) my son used last year. BTW: As Yale’s financial aid award easily beat everyone else’s award, it was an easy, yet truthful, out.</h1>
<p>Dear XXX,</p>
<p>Thank you for offering me admission to XXXXXX’s class of 2015.</p>
<p>While I appreciate the invitation, after careful consideration, I have decided to accept an offer from Yale University.</p>
<p>My decision was largely based upon financial aid. While XXXX’s financial aid offer was very generous, other colleges offered substantially better aid. To give your office a better understanding of my decision, I am enclosing a spreadsheet for your review.</p>
<p>Once again, thank you for your time and consideration</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Very similar to the one my son sent via e-mail.</p>
<p>To Whom It May Concern,</p>
<pre><code>It is with a heavy heart that I must withdraw my application for attendance to XXXXXXXXXX. I was accepted off the waitlist at Yale, so I had to make a decision between the two excellent schools. The financial aid offer I received from Yale made it far too difficult for me to decline their offer. This decision was very difficult and I wanted to thank the admissions office for offering me a spot in the XXXXXXXXXXX class of 2015. If there is anything else I must do to formalize my withdrawn application, please let me know so that I may do so as quickly as possible. If not, please respond to this e-mail so I know that you have received my withdrawal to attend.
</code></pre>
<p>Sincerely,</p>