How should one decline an acceptance?

Applying to College
1

<p>I sent an email to one of my colleges because I got there FA package and realized I couldn't afford it. I wondered afterwards if I had phrased my email correctly. Here it is:</p>

<p>My name is John J. Johnson XXIV and my ID Number is 987654321. I am emailing to let you know that I have decided to attend another institution this fall. I hope this was the correct channel to alert you of this. Thank you for the help your offices have been in the application process!</p>

<p>Sincerely,
John J. Johnson XXIV</p>

<p>How could I have worded it better? When I need to do this again, I want it to be done correctly and kindly.</p>

2

<p>Many (most?) schools will send you a postcard that you can send back if you decide to turn down an offer of admission. It’s actually quite helpful for the schools to know what school you decided to attend (so they can fine-tune their marketing), so if you have that info, let them know. Otherwise, your reply is fine!</p>

<p>Here’s a wonderful 4-minute [NPR</a> broadcast](<a href=“How Colleges Fight For Top Students : Planet Money : NPR”>How Colleges Fight For Top Students : Planet Money : NPR) about the admissions side of things at Lafayette college - it includes a wonderful description of the admissions officers sitting around waiting for the “fat envelopes” (indicating accepted offers) and dreading the postcards (rejections of offers). Nice to know the shoe is on the other foot for a change! :D</p>

3

<p>If there is no postcard to send, then what you wrote is just fine. If you want (totally at your discretion) you could add a sentence saying that While I appreciate the aid package, it is still not financially viable for me to attend X University…This is not necessary but would give the school feedback on why you are not attending and in the one in a million chance they want you really badly, they could up the aid package.</p>

4

<p>If there is an online portal showing your admission result, there may be a link there for declining the offer.</p>

5

<p>If the FA package is truly the reason you don’t want to attend that school, I feel you should explain that to them, so they would know what went wrong.</p>

6

<p>I’d also say the FA package was not enough for you to attend. Usually on the postcard they have that as an option.</p>

7

<p>I never got any postcards with that included, however in the online portal there is usually a way to decline your offer. </p>

<p>One of my schools didn’t have an option to do that and I emailed pretty much the same thing saying I appreciated the offer of admission but have decided to accecpt another universities offer instead. You don’t have to mention the financial aid but it wouldn’t hurt either. They’ll probably email you back saying thank you for letting them know and wish you good luck. </p>

8

<p>Is it acceptable to just not say anything to the schools? Shouldn’t they get the message if they never receive a deposit?</p>

9

<p>College’s collect data about where students they accepted eventually matriculated. In fact, most colleges send student’s a survey sometime in May/June asking why you declined. If a college did not send you a postcard or has an on-line portal to accept or decline, you should write a brief letter of explanation to the Admissions office. Here is a sample letter.</p>

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10

<p>I would send them a polite email to thank them for their time and their offer. I don’t think I would tell them the reason you are declining the offer is due to their FA unless you want them to counter. You want to be gracious because, 1) you may have siblings who may want to apply there later, 2) you may want to transfer at some later date, 3) you may want to go to their graduate school.</p>

<p>You should respond as soon as you make your decision so the spot maybe given to someone else.</p>