There are different types of deposits: enrollment deposits, where you are accepting the offer of admission, and housing deposits, which merely hold a spot for you in the housing and are usually refundable. Let’s take a look at some of the differences.</p>
<p>First, I am assuming that this is a college in the U.S., not another country. Every reputable college in the U.S. is a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), and, as such, agrees to abide by the NACAC Standards of Good Practice. Colleges in other countries aren’t bound by those rules, however.</p>
<p>Again, assuming that this is a US College, according to those NACAC rules, unless you have applied Early Decision, a college MUST give you until May 1, the National Candidate’s Reply Date, to respond to any offers of admission and scholarships and to submit an ENROLLMENT deposit and an Intent To Enroll form (a form that says, “Yes, I am accepting this offer of admission”).</p>
<p>If the school has requested that you reply or send in an enrollment deposit before then (which some do), they MUST grant you an extension until May 1 if you request one. So, you absolutely positively do NOT need to send in an enrollment deposit now - in fact, if you do, you technically must withdraw all of your other applications at the same time because you have already accepted an offer from the school in question. Failing to do so after you have deposited at one school could result in you having your offer of admission rescinded at that school or even potentially risk your acceptances at the other schools if they get wind that you have already agreed to attend the first school (and these things do sometimes get out). You don’t want to risk that!</p>
<p>So, contact the school, ask for an extension, cite those NACAC rules and the National Candidate’s Reply Date, and then don’t worry about it. You will not be penalized for waiting until all your offers are on the table. It is also not “lame” to request that the college honor your rights as an applicant - it is the SMART and CORRECT thing to do if you are not ready to make your final choice at this time.</p>
<p>Again, the exception is if you applied through a BINDING EARLY DECISION program. In that case, you agreed to withdraw all other applications and send in your enrollment deposit as soon as you were admitted. If you didn’t apply ED, however, this does NOT apply.</p>
<p>Now, if the school is asking for a HOUSING deposit at this point, that is a different story - some schools do ask for early housing deposits to secure a spot in housing in case you decide to attend. That is different than sending in an ENROLLMENT deposit which is basically the same as saying “I will attend.” If it is a HOUSING deposit only (a few schools try to bundle the housing and enrollment deposits together - if so, the rules above apply), before sending it, check with the school and ask if the deposit will be REFUNDABLE before sending it, however.</p>
<p>For details on all of the above, go to NACAC NACAC Policies and Statements and read both the NACAC Statement of Principles of Good Practice and the Student’s Rights & Responsibilities materials. It is all spelled out very clearly there. In fact, I recommend that ALL of my students read the SR&R before applying anywhere so they know what is expected of them, and can respond to unreasonable requests from college correctly. You might want to print it out and share it with your father as well, and feel free to have him contact me if he has further questions.