During the application process, I was directly in contact on a first-name basis with admission officers at prospective schools through fly-in programs, etc. Many of them I’ve also met in person on campus. I’ve been accepted to some of these schools – but if I am turning down their offer of admission, would it be in good taste to send an email saying so? I’m afraid it might make for an awkward situation.
I don’t think it’s awkward at all. I think it’s a nice thing to do. My D emailed 2 schools that were smaller and where she had built a bit of a relationship, but didn’t email the big state schools. There was really no relationship there.
It is common, and courteous, in your situation to send a short letter or email to tjhe admissions office simply thanking the college for its consideration and informing the college that you have decided to enroll elsewhere (and you do not need to say where)
My Ds responded to all the schools that gave them offers- most of them had either paper or eforms for doing so. Several of them responded, saying that they wished them the best and that they would keep the application info for a year in case they decided that the places they went to didn’t work out. They also like to know where you chose to go, b/c it gives them more info about the schools that they are competing with.
Writing the letters wasn’t easy for my Ds- they felt badly saying no after selling themselves on why that school was a great school for them!- but in the end they were glad that they did it. First, there was that little thrill of no longer being at the mercy of the colleges, trying to be ‘good enough’ to be accepted! but also, they understood a little how it is from the college side, having to say no to perfectly good choices. And it closed the door on that whole process.
(except now D2 is looking at doing it all over again for grad school, but that’s not on my watch!)