Accepting an Offer

1. As soon as you have two offers, decide which is the better one for you and politely refuse the other.

2. Repeat this comparison and decision as you receive each new offer.

3. Terminate the process as soon as you get a satisfactory offer from the school you prefer. Accept that offer verbally and in writing and advise the other schools of your decision. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness in opening the way for another student.

4. On occasion you may be pressured to accept an offer before April 15. In the event that you have accepted such an offer, you should be fully aware that you have the right to resign the original acceptance before April 15 to take an alternative offer.

5. When you have voluntarily accepted an appointment, even prior to the April 15 date, do not take your obligation lightly. You are committed to that acceptance. Attempts to be released from an agreement may spoil your reputation with all of the institutions involved and with your sponsors.

6. If you receive no offers by April 15, there is still a possibility that you may be admitted at a later time. Vacancies occasionally occur as grants are announced. The APA Education Directorate publishes a list of remaining openings in May. You may write to the Directorate to receive a copy of this list. Information on graduate openings will be posted on the APA Web site (http://www.apa.org) by early May.