How to decline an offer (politely)

Student Lounge International Students
1

Hi everybody!

Turns out, I was completely mistaken about the admission process in the US (undergraduate). For some reason I believed that those universities that admitted me would set a specific deadline for my yes/no answer and that I would sign a contract promising to show up in August and enroll. After that they would send me my i-20.

… well, it’s not exactly like that. “Congrats, you’re admitted, see you in August”, i-20s enclosed. Do I need to do anything? Do I need to let them know I’m not coming (I have been admitted to a top choice)? I mean, they did not tell me anything about responding but I don’t want to hold someone else’s place… At the same time, I do not want to come as an obnoxious braggart if it is NOT a common practice to let colleges know that you chose something over them.

Also, when does any contractual relationship with a university start? How do I make sure they do hold my place till August?
Thanks!

2

When you pay enrollment deposit, it means “I am going to attend your school”.

Since you don’t want to go, tell them things like:

“Dear _______
I am very honored(or glad) that I have been offered an admission from _____ University,
but unfortunately I have set my heart in a different school.
I appreciate being accepted to your school but I am not going to attend this school.”

I mean, what are they gonna do about it?

And besides, they sent you I-20 even before you said yes? That’s strange…for example, when I was accepted to U of alabama, I paid my enrollment cost, THEN got my I-20.

3

No reason to be overly wordy. You aren’t breaking anyone’s heart. No one is waiting with bated breath for your response, truly. Your email will be processed by a clerk who couldn’t care less. Just say"Thank you for your admissions offer, but I have decided to attend another school." No more needed than that.