<p>As much as I normally hate these types of threads I still hope that I am not alone here.</p>
<p>I applied to 6 PhD programs seeing as this whole process was (obviously) new to me. 1 was a total long shot (I thought), 2 were "safety" schools and the other 3 were in between.</p>
<p>1 of my safety schools admitted me without an interview. To be honest, I decided right then that I did not want to go there.</p>
<p>After interviewing at the other 5 I was even more set that my 1 long shot was really the only school I wanted to matriculate at.</p>
<p>So far, my 1 "long shot" is the only school that has accepted me. In my opinion it was the best fit for my interests and I guess they actually saw it the same way. There is no doubt that that is the school that I will be going to next fall.</p>
<p>That said, I feel weird saying yes to them when I have not heard anything from any other school, some of which have been about a month since I have interviewed.</p>
<p>My ego wants every school to accept me...even though I already got accepted to my first (and in my mind only) choice. </p>
<p>Is there any point in me waiting to accept the offer of my #1 school? I guess I am also thinking about the possibility of keeping connections for potential postdocs or faculty positions. As the subject says, I know I am being totally neurotic but I know a lot of PhD applicants have their own special neuroses.</p>
<p>So I apologize if this seems to be another "stroke my ego" post, but I am still oddly hesitant to accept the offer. I guess I think if I say yes somehow the other schools will find out and reject me. </p>
<p>Ok, now I am sounding crazy to myself so I will go to bed. Thanks for indulging me.</p>
<p>it's highly unlikely the other schools will find out (it's confidential information, isn't it?). and it's not the end of the world if you decide to matriculate at DreamSchool and suddenly change your mind. while not exactly applauded, this is not unheard of and reasons for withdrawal/deferring run the gamut from getting other/better offers, family/personal emergencies, suddenly getting cold feet and realizing you don't want to be in grad school, etc.</p>
<p>after all, the school hasn't invested any of its time and money on you as a student yet -- until you actually enroll and set foot on their campus, you're not their property yet :)</p>
<p>You've stated that this school is your number one choice, so think about it like this: All of the other schools you have applied to are someone else's number one choice. </p>
<p>If I were you I might go so far as to send a letter to those schools rescinding my application (graciously, of course) due to acceptance into my top choice program, so that they can send the acceptance letter that might be wasted on me to someone who actually plans on attending if accepted. Plus, that way, you can preempt them in rejecting you if that's something that really concerns you, which it shouldn't, considering you got into your long shot which I will assume is more selective than the other programs. I would only do this if I was REALLY sure that this program was the perfect one for me, though.</p>
<p>If the faculty you have been in correspondence are at all reasonable, they will not hold a grudge against you. Every grad school applicant has their dream school, it doesn't mean the other ones are garbage, it's just about the right fit, which you seem quite certain about. That being said, I can't fault you for your feelings, the application and acceptance process has made lunatics out of even my most stoic friends.</p>
<p>Congrats on getting into your top choice; it's an achievement many graduate students cannot boast.</p>