Waiting to return an admission offer

[operasinger]

How long after receiving an admission offer does one need to reply? This would matter if one receives an admission offer from one school but is still waiting for other schools to render their decision, and would prefer to matriculate at the schools that didn't answer yet.
Thank you.

[Melissa Conrad]

Generally a school will provide a deadline by which you must reply in order to reserve a seat in their program. That deadline will generally appear on the acceptance letter, or a follow-up packet sent by the school. Most often the deadline is sometime in late March or early April, however it varies by school. However, you may always direct questions to the admissions office of a particular school.

Not replying prior to the deadline will not reflect on your admission status, however, once the deadline has passed the school will be under no obligation to save you a seat in the incoming class.

Good luck!

Melissa Conrad