<p>Right now my son is lucky enough to have four acceptances back, Marywood, Mansfield, Seton Hill and Penn State Hazleton. We are still waiting for his first choice, Rutgers, and four others.</p>
<p>Do you think it is correct to accept and pay a housing deposit (non-refundable) while you are waiting other decisions? The schools are telling me yes, otherwise you will lose your chance at housing and almost every parent wants (or it is required) for freshman to live on campus. It just doesn't seem right. Anyone else running into this?</p>
<p>Right. This is not the same as returning the form that says, "Yes! I am attending _____ college in the Fall of '08!"</p>
<p>As long as the housing is a separate issue, it is perfectly fine to turn in a deposit to save a space in the dorm. Just in case he doesn't get that coveted slot at Rutgers.</p>
<p>I don't think its ethical of the schools to pressure you into a nonrefundable deposit at this time if you didn't apply ED. They should wait till April. But I guess they can do whatever they want.</p>
<p>If you're required to live on campus as a freshman, don't worry--they'll find you a space if you go there. But if there is a particular dorm you want to be in, whether for its location, quality of life, or special interest groups, I would send in a deposit. Esp. if it's somewhat likely you'll end up there.</p>
<p>Housing is fine - I just paid a $250 deposit on housing at my financial safety school. It is non-binding and I can get all but $25 of it refunded if I back out by mid-July. The school has very limited housing so I was encouraged to apply for housing as soon after the application went up on January 2nd as possible. Good deal!</p>
<p>Sending in the official intent to enroll is different.</p>
<p>Some schools (UIUC) don't allow you to apply for housing until you have accepted the offer to enroll. And it is still recommended that you get that housing deposit in early.
I don't think there is as much of a stigma at big state schools to send in an acceptance you are not quite sure about. Granted, it is preferable for a student to start making some decisions and not just accept everybody and decide later.</p>
<p>If you have to send in the intent to enroll in order to get housing, then I'd probably do it. I think the ethical problem comes in if you hold more than one intent to enroll at the same time. If you send it in, and then get an acceptance that you'd prefer, just call the school and withdraw the intent to enroll. Then select your other school.</p>
<p>I personally think it's pretty sleazy of schools to try to get around the May 1 reply date by linking the reply to the ability to get housing. If they've done that, I have a much easier time saying, Yes I'm going and then changing my mind.</p>
<p>It's definitely ok. The schools know that some kids are going to do this to preserve their options, and some of the housing offices warn that you get the better dorms based on how quickly you respond. </p>
<p>At Penn State, the housing deposit will be returned but the admissions deposit is forfeited if your kid changes his/her mind. The school makes some nice bucks this way! Between wait-lists and rolling admissions, if your kid changes his/her mind later, the school will fill the spot.</p>
<p>UChicago has getting on the housing list linked to a deposit and a commitment to enroll. They do make it clear that one can change one's mind and get a full refund if the school is notified by 5/1. I think that's how it stays on the good side of NACAC rules about 5/1 commitment dates.</p>
<p>College A has accepted son but will not allow him to apply for housing until he sends in his deposit to enroll in the school but the housing for the honors program is LIMITED and they assign based on the enrollment date (when you send in the deposit). They spell this out in the admissions packet with the advice to enroll ASAP to get the housing. College B will not announce decision until April 1. Do we take the chance of him losing out of the honors housing at College A? We are leaning toward sending in the enrollment deposit and so he can get the housing he wants. I just feel bad that he may have to withdraw if he decides to go to College B (if they accept him).</p>
<p>Personally, because College A has created an untenable situation and is trying to get around the NACAC May 1 reply date, I think it's acceptable to reply to College A and get housing, and then withdraw if necessary. I wouldn't feel bad about it because College A created the issue itself, and I am certain is well aware that a certain percentage of the kids who "accept" will not actually be coming. College A is protecting itself; your son needs to protect himself.</p>
<p>I wonder if College A then uses all the "acceptances" to calculate its yield, without subtracting the subsequent "withdrawals"?</p>
<p>fyi, penn state has a non-refundable housing deposit policy for the first time this year. I guess they had so many people sign up in the past with no worries about money.</p>