<p>During the next two months, I'll be applying to 8-10 summer programs, most of which are focused on scientific research. I've noticed that many of the programs have entirely different dates for notifying applicants of their decisions. For example, NIH is rolling, so I could potentially receive an acceptance in two or three weeks, but a few of the other programs to which I'm applying accept applications until mid-March (and don't notify until April/May)! Hence, I could find myself in a situation where I am forced to decide NIH (or another earlier program) now or <em>maybe</em> another program later. Should I just accept the first offer I get? Would it be unscrupulous to accept an offer with the intention of reneging if a better program accepts me? Lastly, have any of you had to deal with this predicament? If so, how did you handle it? </p>
<p>My D had this issue last summer. We started by making a spreadsheet of all the programs, and their notification dates. Some had “rounds” for interviews, etc. So although you wouldn’t find out a final decision until pretty late, you would know if you were out pretty early if you did not get an interview. We put those intermediate dates in as well.</p>
<p>For a “pay to go program”, there is nothing wrong (IMHO) with applying, getting your acceptance, and putting a deposit down by the date they require it. Then if you end up doing something else, you forfeit your deposit. The program is compensated via the rules they have set up themselves.</p>
<p>But otherwise… if you accept something, I think you need to keep your word and do it. Life is full of better opportunities that come along once you have committed (ahem… think about being married…). Your character shows in how you handle this. We have always taught our kids that once you accept any kind of invitation (to a party, a job offer, whatever), you have to keep your word, even if a shinier opportunity comes along. So yes, it would be unscrupulous to accept an offer with the intention of turning it down if you get a better offer.</p>
<p>By the way, my D had one program on her list that was a “safety” with a pretty late date for accepting applications and getting notification. She waited to apply, and had heard back from several programs by the time that date came.</p>
<p>Thank you for the reply, intparent. The paid program advice is particularly good; walking away after submitting a deposit seems fine. </p>
<p>However, what should one do, then, if he/she is accepted to a program early that isn’t necessarily at the top of his/her list? Commit or not? Your post addresses the moral issue but not the practical one. Are you saying that I (or other prospective summer program attendees) should accept the first offer that comes my way, as long as it’s a reasonably good program? When is it okay to gamble?</p>
<p>I wonder if there are some CCers who have taken the gamble and turned down early programs, hoping they would be accepted to better programs later, who would be willing to weigh in on this conundrum. Any opinions?</p>
<p>Ah… the “moral” issue vs. the “practical” one. Isn’t that what most moral issues are? There is what you SHOULD do, and what you WANT to do. </p>
<p>I say that you do have to gamble. But CC could possibly help by giving you “chances” on getting into the programs you applied to. So if you list the programs and your statistics, then you might get some advice. Also where you live can be important in your odds of getting in. Just know that ALL non-pay programs (RSI, NIH, etc.) are EXTREMELY competitive. Most have lower admission rates than the top Ivy league colleges. NIH, for example, had a lot fewer high school opportunities last year than in the past due to budget cuts, and I bet this summer is no better. My D applied there last summer, then directly emailed about 15 labs she was interested in, and was told by EVERY ONE that they were not taking high school students for summer due to budget issues.</p>
<p>Unless you have superstar stats, you should take the first one you are offered once you are up to the reply date. And be happy that you got into one at all.</p>
<p>I wasn’t talking about moral vs. practical (as if one compromises the other). I was saying that we covered the moral issue, so let’s move on to the practical one (i.e. whether to accept or reject the early offer).</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. I suppose I’ll seek CC’s advice should such a predicament become a reality for me.</p>
<p>I may have the same issue as well (that is, if I get into any at all). Some of my top choices, though, have earlier notification dates. The exception would be University of Florida’s SSTP program, which accepts applications on a rolling basis. Does anyone know how much time these programs give you to accept/reject their offer?</p>
<p>Perhaps the best option might be to contact someone at the organization offering the programs, and talk to them. Be honest with the one that has accepted you, and tell them you are happy to have the offer, but there is a possibility you will be offered the one you would like better. See what they say - if it is short time before you will hear from the other program, and they have a backup selected in case you can’t participate (who will have enough time to make arrangements), it may be OK to accept their offer first. All programs know there may be kids who commit and then cannot participate, for a variety of reasons (like family emergencies, illness or injury, for example), and should have a backup plan. It’s no longer a moral issue if you discussed it with them, and allow them a chance to weigh in. and it might solve the practical issue as well.</p>
<p>This happens in employment as well - person has been out of work for a while, and applies to many jobs. Gets first job offer, and accepts, but only stays for 2 weeks, because a better offer comes along. Employers know this happens, and if they are worried about the costs, they add clauses to the employment contract to either prevent it, or to minimize the cost to themselves (for instance, requiring them to stay a certain time if they want moving expenses).</p>
<p>This happened to me a couple years ago. I was accepted to the first program I heard back from which was not my top choice. I ended up emailing my first choice telling them my problem (they were due to release their decisions in a couple weeks). They responded by saying I probably would not be accepted. I decided to accept the offer from the first program.</p>
<p>About a month later I received a call from a different program near the bottom of my list saying I had been accepted. I had to awkwardly explain I couldn’t accept. Because they only took 4 kids a year, I am not sure if they filled my vacancy. Knowing I got in was a cool feeling (it was fairly selective) but looking back I should have pulled my application after accepting the first program.</p>
<p>In the end, I loved my summer experience so it all ended up for the best.</p>