f you say YES to TWO UNIVERSITIES, what would happen?

Question

I have 2 admissions for my PhD studies with full financial aid from USA and Canada, I want to know if I accept the two of them, what would happen?! if one of them finds out that I have told the other one that I would go there too?!! because I want to go to Canada in case I got rejected in US VISA interview.

Thanks

Answer 1

From a financial aid perspective, a student isn't allowed to enroll at and receive financial aid from two schools simultaneously. But, technically, there isn't anything that will happen to you if you accept at both schools while you're making up your mind.

That said, contrary to what some students think, schools DO report enrollment information to national databases. Usually, this reporting doesn't happen until the start of classes but, if your schools happen to report sooner, it's possible that someone at one school could find out that you have enrolled elsewhere. (Also, don't be AT ALL surprised if the admissions/FA officers at one school know the admissions/FA officers at the other. It happens a lot more than you think, even when the schools are a nation apart.)

Frankly, accepting at two places is a rather selfish thing to do -- when you accept a school's offer of admission, they hold a spot for you that they cannot (logistically, ethically) offer to anyone else. Any person who has ever been denied (or, worse, wait-listed) from a college will tell you that that 1 free spot can make all the difference. In your case, you're also holding onto scholarship offers that could have been made to other students. Again, that money could mean the difference between *several* students being able to attend one of your prospective schools. If you do choose to accept at two places, please be thoughtful and make your decision ASAP so that you shut out as few students as possible. The people you're affecting could someday be your colleagues!

Answer 2

I said yes to 2 colleges myself. There is no supercomputer that tells universities that a student has accepted an offer from another school. I am not completely sure of this, but I think what will happen is you can attempt to take care of your visa and depending on what happens you can go to which ever school you choose. The school that you dont attend will realize that you arent coming when you never register.
I think it would be best to say yes and then call the university and explain that you've decided to go elsewhere. This way if you decide to transfer, the school might not be displeased with you.

But, you should speak to someone who would acutally knows whats best in this situation. Who? I dont know.

Answer 3

You can't figure this out and you're a PhD candidate? I'm sure you would be able to withdraw your acceptance.