<p>D just made a final decision on which admissions offer to accept. With just 4 days left on the acceptance clock, should we make the effort to now individually contact the other schools which she has decided not to attend, or is it appropriate to let this just happen automatically in 4 days when no deposit is made. Thanks.</p>
<p>If you made reservations at 5 restaurants and then settled on a particular one, would you cancel the other reservations so as to be polite (and potentially give someone else who was waiting for a table to open up)? It takes about 1 minute per school to send an email to the declined school, and it’s the courteous thing to do.</p>
<p>Fair point on the politeness. Many of these other schools made her very attractive offers. Will ask my D to contact everyone after school. (Though, on the analogy, I’d say making 5 dinner reservations to later decide on one has already crossed the bad manners line regardless of how you deal with it later!)</p>
<p>I wrote each of my schools a letter mentioning 1. how hard it was to turn their offer down, 2. how much I appreciate their offer of financial aid, 3. something unique I liked about that school, and 4. the school I’m going to instead, so that they have an idea of where I’m going.</p>
<p>I know it sounds like overkill, but I feel really bad about having to turn down these amazing offers. And so far each of the schools has replied in an incredibly kind and supportive manner, wishing me luck and thanking me for the letter. In two of the cases I had mini-conversations with my admissions officers via email.</p>
<p>What I’m trying to say is that I think a short, but sincere letter including a thank-you note is something that these people will really appreciate.</p>
<p>@Ghostt: Great feedback. Thanks.</p>
<p>I think what Ghostt did is nice, but not necessary. In the spirit of making less work for people, make it email instead of a paper letter. These people have thousands of kids to deal with - an email that politely says thank you for your offer, I will be attending X university in the fall instead but I remain a real fan of what your school has to offer, thank you and best wishes is more than enough. Don’t make people wade through tons of stuff to get to the point - you are no longer on their list. All they’re going to do is go to some file and check your name off. This is, at heart, a business transaction even if the people have been very nice and cordial.</p>