I know you’re not supposed to do it. However, after reading some old CC posts, I’m no longer exactly sure what it means. Is double depositing when you put two deposits down now and hold both spots until you make up your mind, even if you withdraw from one school before the May 1 deadline? Or does double depositing only apply if you still have two deposits after May 1?
We’ve already put a deposit down. She’s starting to waver. I wouldn’t mind double depositing for about a month, but I’m certainly not going to do it if it is considered unethical even before May 1, and especially if it endangers her acceptance at either college.
What is the advantage of depositing before May 1? You can only deposit if she’s already accepted. If she’s accepted, the spot will be reserved for her until May 1, without a deposit. Just sit tight. Now, if someone knows they definitely won’t be going to a school that accepted them, just withdraw your application. Do it for the other kids who might desperately want the spot.
Because one school does not guarantee dorms for freshmen. If she wants that school, she would have to deposit now, because they are about to run out of dorms. She wouldn’t be taking a dorm away from someone if she changed her mind, since they have a waiting list and any spot that becomes available would quickly be taken by someone on the list.
She had decided she didn’t want to go to this school, and we deposited at the other school, simply because she was so enthusiastic about it. She wanted to start looking for a roommate, etc. We waited a month after she made her decision to deposit. Now, she isn’t sure of her decision.
Besides the ethical consideration, I don’t want her wavering back and forth between the two. At some point she has to make a decision and stick to it, and one deposit would have to be forfeited. But is that point May 1, with her having a double deposit until then? Or is that an unethical thing to do?
Did you read the provisions your child signed when filling out the Common app and other school apps? Do you remember this on the common app: " I affirm that I will send an enrollment deposit (or equivalent) to only one institution; sending multiple deposits (or equivalent) may result in the withdrawal of my admission offers from all institutions. [Note: students may send an enrollment deposit (or equivalent) to a second institution where they have been admitted from the waitlist, provided that they inform the first institution that they will no longer be enrolling.] "
Enrollment deposits are usually non refundable yes. You are buying time and options with the money.
None of her schools used the common app. We’d have to look at the apps to see what the wording is. But that’s what I need to know - I thought it was just what you’ve written - send one deposit and that’s that. But some threads here have indicated it only matters after May 1. So I’m confused! lol
(Although I assume it would be okay to send in a second deposit if you quickly notified the first school that you changed your mind.)
Check to see if the school has a housing deposit that is separate from an enrollment deposit. Some do. My kid had one that did. And yes, we sent the fully refundable housing deposit in the day she got accepted. She did not attend that school, so we asked for a refund.
NOTE…this is different than an enrollment deposit. Only ONE enrollment deposit is permitted.
If the schools did not use the common, look at the app and the language. Our state schools do not have a prohibitio on double depositing. But usually, you do not get your enrollment deposit back. Housing deposits, some schools will return in full. But you have to read the rules for each school, because the rules differ. Some housing deposits you don’t get back if past a certain date, for example.
You can’t pay your housing deposit unless you pay your enrollment deposit first. Already checked that one!
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Depends on the school.
One school that accepted D, also let her know way before all the other schools, ( I didn’t think it was rolling but I could be wrong), and we put a housing deposit down, but not enrollment deposit. It was completely separate.
We also let them know at the time if she was accepted to her first choice full need met school, she likely would attend there, but they encouraged us to put the housing deposit down anyway just in case.
But anyway, housing deposits are ok, but an enrollment deposit is a commitment.
Colleges that purport to respect the May 1 notification deadline but then dangle the issue of getting better housing-or any housing-by asking for a housing deposit at an earlier date are putting unfair pressure on accepted students to make a decision. There’s no reason why the housing process can’t wait until all the acceptances are in. Applicants have enough difficult decisions to make and should be able to fully compare financial aid offers and learn more at accepted students events without having to worry about dorm priorities and loss of housing deposits. Encouraging applicants to make a quick decision before they have time to consider all the issues is a poor way to manage the admissions process. Unless they’re just hoping to collect on a bunch of forfeited deposits…
I don’t think there is anything unethical if you didn’t sign saying you would not double deposit. But you’ll lose the enrollment deposits most likely.
I know a number of such schools where if you don’t pay the deposits, you don’t get a good shot at a decent room. Not fair, but that’s what they do. And one of such schools is a stickler about double depositing and specifically says so as you pay your deposit.
This is supposed to be a two-way street. According to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling “Statement of Principles and Good Practice,” post-secondary institutions are supposed to:
The detailed explanation of the principles notes further that, while many colleges have constrained on-campus housing, it is recommended that any enrollment or housing deposits required from a student be fully refundable if the student cancels before May 1st.
If the colleges want to harrumph and beat their chests about our 17-year-olds being bound to “contracts” and “commitments,” the adults damned well better live up to their end of the bargain. And complying with the NACAC principles would be a good place to start.
In my opinion if you did not go through the Common Ap and there is no wording prohibiting it at either school on their apps or enrollment papers, then it is not unethical. I do understand how you’d want to reserve a dorm room in that situation.
I’m going to look at the apps again. And both schools do require an enrollment deposit before a housing deposit. If I could have just put down a housing deposit on the one, I would done it right away.
I think I know the schools you’re talking about, and you can double deposit for housing but will not get the deposits back.
(And for those that wonder: yes, the idea is to collect the checks, since there’s such a waiting list come April. And no, the dorms aren’t even nice. :s)
Can your daughter do an overnight at both?