<p>D just received an acceptance at her second choice college with a deadline for acceptance of 20th Jan and must send a deposit by mid Feb. Her first choice will not look at files until Feb. How do we got about making this decision? As an International, there are no safeties out there so if we give this up, what happens if nothing else come up? Help!!!</p>
<p>Congrats. Be glad that it wasn't her 6th choice.</p>
<p>Have you tried calling the admissions office of the school that admitted & ask for an extension?</p>
<p>If you are a 1st year candidate & did not apply as an early decision candidate, you should be allowed until 5/1 to decide whether to accept or decline your offer of admission. Most colleges belong to an association that promises the following:</p>
<p>"9. Permit first-year candidates for fall admission to choose, without penalty, among offers of admission and financial aid until May 1. Colleges that solicit commitments to offers of admission, financial assistance, and/or housing prior to May 1 may do so provided those offers include a clear statement that written requests for extensions until May 1 will be granted, and that such requests will not jeopardize a student's status for housing and/or financial aid. Candidates admitted under an early decision program are a recognized exception to this provision." </p>
<p>In any case, you should contact the school & work this out BEFORE the current deadline.</p>
<p>If the 2nd school acceptance is not ED, and they won't budge on the Jan 20th date, and IF you can afford to lose it, send in the deposit. Then wait to see what happens with her other application. That way, IF she is accepted to her 1st choice she won't be heartbroken to have to pass it up. And you will be secure in the knowledge that she is going to college somewhere.</p>
<p>Assuming that the school won't give you an extention, can you send in the deposit to the number 2 school, and resign yourself to losing it if number 1 comes through?</p>
<p>It sounds like your daughter applied Early Decision. If so, that acceptance is binding (that is, she must withdraw all other college applications) unless (maybe) the college is unable to meet your financial need. The rules may be different for internationals. I suggest you contact this college to clarify your daughter's options.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your suggestions, I will likely do both the request for extension and then the deposit knowing I might lose it (swallow hard), if an extension isn't granted.</p>
<p>It was not ED nor EA</p>
<p>Based on the OP's previous posts, it looks like her D's acceptance was at SUNY Geneseo. I concur with those who suggest that she accept it, and then give up the deposit if she gets into her first choice and decides to go there. Public universities often don't follow the May 1 deadline for students to accept their offers. It's also not that big a deal to publics if students withdraw their acceptances because usually publics have more of an overenrollment problem than do private universities.</p>
<p>I agree with HIMom -- if this college is a member of NACAC, then they should follow the NACAC policies, which clearly state (in the Students Rights and Responsibilities document)</p>
<p>
[quote]
When You Are Offered Admission:
• You have the right to wait until May 1 to respond to an offer of admission
and/or financial aid.
• Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or
financial assistance prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity
to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must
grant you this extension and your request may not jeopardize your
status for admission and/or financial aid.
• Candidates admitted under early decision programs are a recognized
exception to the May 1 deadline.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If it were my kid & the school that accepted refused to extend the admissions offer beyond the stated original deadline despite (1) a request student FAXED in writing to the school and (2) after my child & my speaking with the school, I'd send the deposit if I was prepared to lose it if the student got into 1st choice later.</p>
<p>Send a copy of the letter to NACAC. They try to stay on top of this stuff, but some schools are off the radar and people don't report them. May 1 is called the National Candidate Reply Date for a reason. All the colleges agree to use May 1 for non-binding admission. SUNY Geneseo is most certainly a member of NACAC (I just verified this with our</a> online directory). Their staffers present routinely at conferences.</p>
<p>Mailing Address:
NACAC
1631 Prince Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314</p>
<p>Phone: 703/836-2222 or 800/822-6285
Fax: 703/836-8015
General Email: <a href="mailto:info@nacac.com">info@nacac.com</a></p>
<p>If this is Geneseo, this is from their website:</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you are planning to enroll at Geneseo for the fall semester
(beginning in August) and wish to reside on campus, you must forward an advance deposit of $300.00 ($150.00 tuition/$150.00 room and board).
This deposit must be postmarked no later than May 1 or within 30 days of the date of admission, whichever is later.
[/quote]