<p>I have an application in at Dartmouth. I was accepted SCEA to Stanford, and I know I wouldn't take Dartmouth over Stanford, so should I withdraw my app? I would still need to get my friend to write a peer rec, and he's not too keen on writing one for no reason, and I would still need to interview. I have been in close contact with the math faculty, however, and they are expecting me to apply and attend next year. Would withdrawing my application be sort of a slap in the face?</p>
<p>why limit your options....finish ur app?</p>
<p>Huh, you were accepted at Stanford? Wut the problem iz? Seriously, just let Dartmouth know you're going somewhere else, they're adults, they'll will understand.</p>
<p>If you have made your decision, I think the courteous thing to do is to let other schools know.</p>
<p>If you definitely know that you are definitely going to attend Stanford and the FA has worked out for you, I agree with the others that the gracious thing to do is to withdraw all of your other applications.</p>
<p>I'm not going to get FA from any school, that's why I'm holding out at Duke to see if I can get a merit scholarship. I know Dartmouth doesn't give them out though, so there's less incentive to keep my app in. I'm almost definitely going to Stanford, if I get into Princeton and Harvard then I'll have a decision to make, but as it stands right now that decision would most likely be Stanford. The only thing stopping me from withdrawing from Dartmouth is the faculty communication; I got an email from a math professor saying he hopes to see me next fall. I'm siding right now with withdrawing the app though, but can anyone make an argument for why it should stay in?</p>
<p>So what you are saying is that because you don't want to insult the faculty now by not applying </p>
<ul>
<li>even though there is no apparent chance of your attending even if accepted - </li>
</ul>
<p>you would prefer to insult the faculty later </p>
<ul>
<li>after perhaps the faculty in question has spent time, effort and capital with the admissions office to help your application get accepted -</li>
</ul>
<p>by declining that acceptance.</p>
<p>You are kidding, right?</p>
<p>I can phrase things in ways that make them seem ridiculous too... The point is that they know I have a choice, and have already spent some effort on me--they haven't spent any capital, besides sending a shirt. It would be much more of an insult if I showed them I didn't even care enough to apply than if I went through everything, weighed my options, and came up with a decision to go with another school.</p>
<p>If you're decision has been made that you would definitely not go to Dartmouth, I'd say it'd be best if you didn't apply so as not to potentially take away a spot from someone who does want to attend.</p>
<p>Also, write the math professor(s) a very nice personal letter telling him/her how much you appreciate their attention but that you've chosen Stanford for This Reason, That Reason, and the Other Reason. </p>
<p>If you stay in the math field, it's feasible you might run into these professors again one day. </p>
<p>This happens all the time. They won't take it personally.</p>
<p>^Very good points.</p>
<p>Btw, I meant "your decision" Oops!</p>
<p>Veryhappy's suggestion is excellent. </p>
<p>If you KNOW you would choose Stanford over D, and if FA is not an issue, then why waste everyone's time (and potentially take a spot away from someone who wants the school)? Withdrawing your application now is the decent, honorable thing to do in those circumstances.</p>
<p>One caveat: I would make sure that you sit down and discuss it with your parents first. Make sure that you are all on the same page as regards costs and expectations.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that the world of academia is very small and you don't want to burn any bridges now you may have to cross later (that professor could end up at Stanford or some other school in the future. S/he could even end up heading a grad program that you could be interested in attending in the future). </p>
<p>OdysseyTigger ,Consolation & VeryHappy all make good points. If you are absolutely sure that you will not be attending Dartmouth, write the professor a nice note thanking them for their help/time/consideration but at this time you have decided to accept your EA admission to Stanford.</p>
<p>OP</p>
<p>Your question ...</p>
<p>"I was accepted SCEA to Stanford, and I know I wouldn't take Dartmouth over Stanford, so should I withdraw my app?'</p>
<p>... was ridiculous on its face. I didn't make it "seem" so. I was just pointing out what it was.</p>
<p>You did not apply ED, so obviously Dartmouth was not your first choice - apparently it may not even be your fifth choice. </p>
<p>Your comment ...</p>
<p>"It would be much more of an insult if I showed them I didn't even care enough to apply than if I went through everything, weighed my options, and came up with a decision to go with another school."</p>
<p>... is just BS. You are not going to weigh anything - you have already made your decision - and you obviously don't respect the professor(s) in question enough to be straight with them and not waste their time.</p>
<p>BTW The "capital" I spoke of was in reference to the professor's capital with the admissions office if he goes to bat for you there. Next time perhaps his recommendation carries less weight. One thing the admissions office does care about is yield.</p>
<p>Wow this shouldn't even be a question.
Do you have any idea how many kids would do anything to get into Dartmouth?
Do you have any idea how much work the admissions officers have to put into each application?
Stanford is an amazing school and you recognize that. Don't make people spend valuable time on your application.
PLEASE DON'T APPLY</p>