The International Schools Review Forum

Has anyone been in the situation of having one offer (at a good school) but waiting for one from your first choice?
Question is: how do you ask the school that has offered to "wait"?

I am not in this situation yet, but foresee that it MIGHT happen in the next few days/weeks. Will a school wait for 2 weeks? 1 month?

I'm worried about letting one opportunity go for the sake of another, but the job I'm waiting on will not be making offers until mid-Feb (I assume) at the earliest.

Any replies appreciated.

If you are in touch with your current number one choice you could politely email them. Inform your contact that you have another offer pending but school A is your true top choice. Perhaps apologize for the informality, but ensure the school knows its because you really want to work for them.

[quote="gr8teach"]If you are in touch with your current number one choice you could politely email them. Inform your contact that you have another offer pending but school A is your true top choice. Perhaps apologize for the informality, but ensure the school knows its because you really want to work for them.[/quote]

Good advice.

Also, for the less desired school, how long they will wait is dependent upon many factors: Where they in their hiring season, how many have they attended/plan to attend, how desirable is the school/country in general, how badly do they really want you?

At worst, you can ask them their time frame for definitely needing/wishing to have the position filled and maybe send up a trial balloon about needing more time to sort things out before giving a definite answer (if the position is offered of course). The response you receive could tell you a lot about where you stand with them.

Just be open with them. explain that you have an offer pending at your first choice school, and see what they say. if they really want you they will wait a little while a few weeks maybe. If they dont then they didnt really want you specifically that bad. What i do is advise them of my situation and what im waiting on, and that i will have a final decision made in X number of days, but tif they wish I would have no problem with them withdrawing their offer, for another candidate.

All of it excellent advice. Like I said, I'm not even in this position yet...maybe I should get a job offer first!

Thanks to all for the advice.