<p>hey guys. i’ve decided to apply to four different research programs this summer, and of course, i can only go to one (if i get accepted into one that is). let’s just say i get accepted into more than one, can i tell the others that i can’t go? i’m wondering this because none of their brochures/websites address this. since the programs are very selective, i feel bad if i take up a spot but then decide not to go…someone else could’ve went. help?</p>
<p>Yes, that’s why you apply to more than one (usually) in the first place. It’s the same thing when you’re applying to college. In no way are you obligated to go to the first school that accepts you, unless you ED.</p>
<p>oh and i have a question about the essays in general. say the word limit is 300…is it ok to go over a little bit? i’ve cut mine down to 331 and can’t make it any shorter. it’s paper application so there’s no way they could know right?</p>
<p>If I were you, I would not risk going over. They are going to be reading loads of essays and I am sure they will notice something is up. Is it worth the risk?</p>
<p>Well, you can always cut it shorter. Conciseness (concision?) is key in good writing.</p>
<p>They’re not going to know, though; 300 is likely an arbitrary limit to speed up application reviews. But if you go lower, it makes you look better. At the very worst they’ll just stop reading after 300 words.</p>
<p>It is okay to apply to more than one. But once you accept an offer (if you get one), the decent thing to do is withdraw your app from the others. Even if you reeeallly pine to go to one of the other programs that send out acceptances later, once you accept you should stick with that program. Of course, if you can wait and decide between them because the due dates for an answer allow this, that is fine.</p>