<p>What kind of a language that would be appropriate and nice, but very humble that informs a college that kid is choosing one college over others. Any suggestions appreciated.</p>
<p>Daughter was just contacted by the senior admission officers from other university as what they can do to change her mind. In the end, with all outside scholarships and financial aid, money is not a reason that she decided to drop other College. Ultimately she has to choose only one. She does not want to tell other colleges that she is dropping out because of financial aid (even though it was paramount to us). How do you politely write to colleges that you are matriculating at H without creating problems for other future applicants who would be matriculating from her school to these colleges? We are looking for a polite exit strategy.</p>
<p>Our D told one school that she had decided to stay closer to home. To the others she just said that her "educational needs had changed." I got that phrase here on CC.</p>
<p>It's great that you are so thoughtful about not undermining future candidates from your kid's school. Adcoms do realize that they have to compete for top students and that students can only attend one school.</p>
<p>Your kid should fill out the reply card (this is the one that staff will be reading from). But your D can append a letter expressing her appreciation for the college and mention that personal factors shaped her decision to attend H. She doesn't need to go into details.</p>
<p>I told my son to write a very short, polite letter, but offering no details. Why no details? I expect that even if he carefully explained his reasons for not attending X university, and also told them he would be attending Y university, he would still get a questionnaire from X asking him for the same information that he had already partly supplied. We are also very conscious that S is representing his hs and should not do anything to put future applicants at a disadvantage. But one college sent us a very detailed 4 page survey and I don't really see why my son should spend time with it. </p>
<p>I have also heard of colleges contacting students after receiving a "no thanks" note and asking them what they can do to change the student's mind. This is unfortunately a good reason for the student to wait until May 1 to send out the notes.</p>
<p>One of my son's response forms had a small space for him to fill out the reason he chose a different school. He wrote, "Felt like a more perfect fit."</p>
<p>My D has handled each school individually. Along with the card, with the one line answer, she added a letter to the person who had been most "involved" with her during the process, and thanked them for their help or belief in her. She said she was sorry to let go of the opportunities they offered, that it was a difficult decision, yada yada yada but that she was fortunate enough to have been given several good options. Then she added the primary individual aspect for not choosing that particular school. To one, she explained she decided to do a double major not possible there. To another, she said she ultimately wanted more language choices. To two others, she cited finances as the main reason. </p>
<p>I think she was truly gratified that these folks paid attention to her, offered her merit money, and genuinely seemed interested. To return only a checked-off card seemed a little cold.</p>
<p>It's interesting to think about a college contacting her after hearing her decision. But I'd be really surprised if it happened. And even more surprised if she changed her decision because of it!</p>
<p>I emailed because I lost all those reply cards, and it was after May 1. I emailed each school a short email with where I had decided to go. Sometimes I included why. Sometimes I included an aspect of their school I really liked and was sad to turn down. I think being polite and informative is the best way to go. They like to see who you are turning them down for and why because it helps them learn. It also keeps communication open for grad school down the line.</p>
<p>EDIT: I got nice responses from Harvard and Notre Dame. I got computerized responses from Hopkins and Michigan.</p>
<p>D has heard back from 2 colleges that she sent regrets to. Both stated that they were sorry she would not be attending. thanked her for letting them know and wished her well at her final choice (which she does not have yet). One said if anything changes please let them know and they would keep her paperwork for 2 years. The other said if there was anything they could do for her in the future they would be happy to assist her.</p>
<p>My daughter did something similar to what Binx mentions her daughter did. She wrote a letter, not an e-mail, and sent it to the Admissions office declining their offer, but thanking them for their acceptance. At some schools she had been invited to "scholar weekends" or whatever they called them and she made sure to specially mention and thank the individuals who had been a part of making these events special. </p>
<p>It may be their jobs and they may realize that not every student will attend, but I think that it is a courteous gesture to send them a thank you, especially when offers of scholarships have been made.</p>