How do we withdraw from one school and accept at another?

[Harriet Vane]

Dd was accepted at both of her favorite colleges a year ago. She chose to take a gap year. The big state school invalidated her acceptance and invited her to apply afresh for her new start date. The small private school allowed her to keep her acceptance and defer for a year. As such, dd accepted the small private school.

 

Now it's a year later. Dd re-applied to the big state flagship and was accepted. She has decided to go to school there. What is the correct procedure for her to accept at the state school and shut the door at the private school?

 

It seems like it must be a simple matter of accepting the one she wants. Then, when that is all nailed into place, to inform the private school that she will not be attending there after all. Right?

 

At the start of dd's gap year the universities were very, very clear about not being enrolled at more than one institution and not taking classes from another institution during the gap year. (She has not taken any college classes during the gap year.) Just double checking because it's such a big step and we don't want to screw this up. 

[Harriet Vane]

Anyone?

[Pegasus]

Yes, follow the directions at the state school to accept.  This is commonly done through the online student portal.  Then, have your DD send an email to the private school admissions office, thanking them for allowing her to defer her enrollment for a year but explaining that she has now made other plans and chooses to decline their acceptance. That should be enough but if you want to double check, wait a week and if they don't reply, give them a call.

 

[Harriet Vane]

Yes, follow the directions at the state school to accept.  This is commonly done through the online student portal.  Then, have your DD send an email to the private school admissions office, thanking them for allowing her to defer her enrollment for a year but explaining that she has now made other plans and chooses to decline their acceptance. That should be enough but if you want to double check, wait a week and if they don't reply, give them a call.

 

Thanks. 

 

I know this shouldn't be a big deal. I know it's just administrative stuff to do. Yet making the commitment feels like such a big moment, ya know? 

[snowbeltmom]

 

At the start of dd's gap year the universities were very, very clear about not being enrolled at more than one institution and not taking classes from another institution during the gap year. (She has not taken any college classes during the gap year.) Just double checking because it's such a big step and we don't want to screw this up. 

In order to be in compliance with the bolded, it might make sense to officially withdraw/decline the offer from the private school before officially accepting the offer at the school your daughter has decided to attend.

[J-rap]

What we did, after officially accepting (paying the deposit, etc.) at the choice school, was to send a typed letter snail-mail to the other school, informing them of her decision to withdraw.  I still think a hard copy is more official and is more likely to be saved, in case there is any question. Also, it has her actual signature on it.

 

 

[Harriet Vane]

Did it. Done. Taken care of. Hoping we did it correctly.

 

Dd is now enrolled at the state flagship. And she sent an email withdrawing from the private school. Let the games begin.