It's legal. Ignore the people here saying it's "bad karma." What does that even mean? Presumably you'll be working for this company for a few years. You should pick the one you like the most. It's your next couple years, not the company's. They can always extend an offer to the next person in line.
That said, be careful, because there are extenuating circumstances. People do talk, especially in the same industry and city. Still, I highly doubt hiring manager at Y would reneg your offer if he heard from X that you chose Y over X. If anything he'd be happy!
Also note that if you got this job through your school's career network (alumni or otherwise), they may have policies in place that prohibit reneging on offers, and blacklist you if you do. Even then, though, you didn't sign anything.
I'm of the opinion that you should do what's best for yourself. This is your life, and the job will affect its foreseeable future. Make whatever decision you will regret the least in two years.
"If you can project yourself out to age 80 and sort of think, “What will I think at that time?” it gets you away from some of the daily pieces of confusion."
- Jeff Bezos on deciding to leave Wall St to start Amazon [1]
That said, be careful, because there are extenuating circumstances. People do talk, especially in the same industry and city. Still, I highly doubt hiring manager at Y would reneg your offer if he heard from X that you chose Y over X. If anything he'd be happy!
Also note that if you got this job through your school's career network (alumni or otherwise), they may have policies in place that prohibit reneging on offers, and blacklist you if you do. Even then, though, you didn't sign anything.
I'm of the opinion that you should do what's best for yourself. This is your life, and the job will affect its foreseeable future. Make whatever decision you will regret the least in two years.
"If you can project yourself out to age 80 and sort of think, “What will I think at that time?” it gets you away from some of the daily pieces of confusion."
- Jeff Bezos on deciding to leave Wall St to start Amazon [1]
http://bijansabet.com/post/147533511/jeff-bezos-regret-minim...