Yes you read that correctly, declining an acceptance. You got into your first choice, congratulations! Now you need to tell those other schools that you got into that you won’t be attending their schools. This can be very awkward, but it has to be done. You may have been tucking the letters and invites to their open houses away or even throwing them out, but you need to be upfront with the school and let them know that you will not be attending.
There are a couple ways that you can do this, one way would be to call the admissions office and tell them that you have chosen another school. You could also send them a polite email stating that you will be going elsewhere. No matter how you handle things, they will ask you to explain your decision and to tell them where you will be attending. Obviously, be honest with them. If you think your school has better academics, tell them. If you think that your school has a better campus, tell them. You’re not trying to impress them anymore, just be honest. It’s very awkward and uncomfortable, but thank them for their interest in you and move on. You’re going to a school that you picked out for yourself.