I’m having a hard time deciding between 2 schools so can I just pay 2 deposits and attend whichever one I want after?
I believe that when you filled out the Common App, you agreed to put down only one deposit. Further, I believe that if schools find out that you have multiple deposits, they will sometimes cancel all those deposits.
You’re going to have to decide sometime, so bite the bullet and decide.
Besides, the odds are that your housing choice is tied into your deposit date; I know that’s true at my daughter’s school.
Make up a list of pros and cons, and decide today.
But one of my 2 options (JMU) wasn’t on the common app.
But the other was, right?
I don’t think it matters.
You have to decide sometime. Make it today.
Besides, after May 1 they’re nonrefundable. Do your parents-- probably not “you” paying the deposits-- really have hundreds of dollars to throw away because you can’t make up your mind by May 1?
I have seen that the language of the agreement when you accept a school is that they reserve the right to revoke admission if you put a deposit down at any other school. Not sure if you see this when you click accept online, but it comes in a letter afterward. Not worth the risk to lose both schools…
From the College Board site: https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/applications/ethics
"Double deposits
Double depositing means putting down a deposit, and thus accepting admission, at more than one college. Since a student can’t attend multiple colleges, it is considered unethical. Why might students and families do this, considering that it would mean forfeiting one deposit? The main reasons are:
To buy time to decide on a college when the student has been accepted by more than one. The usual decision deadline is May 1; by double depositing, a student can delay deciding until fall.
To continue negotiating financial aid offers with more than one college past the May 1 decision deadline.
Because the student is on a waiting list at one college and wants to ensure enrollment somewhere in case of being turned down. This scenario is the only one in which NACAC considers double depositing acceptable.
Why is double depositing unethical?
It’s deceitful. Students know they can only attend one college, so they are essentially lying when they notify more than one that they intend to enroll.
It’s unfair to the college. If the practice continues, colleges may find they can’t predict the size of the incoming class with any accuracy. They may take actions such as enlarging the waiting list or increasing deposit amounts (both of which will impact future applicants).
It’s unfair to other applicants. The double depositor is taking up a spot that could go to another student, who will instead be put on a waiting list or turned down.
What should you do?
Tell students not to submit deposits to more than one college, unless they are wait-listed at their first choice and accepted at another.
Consider instituting a policy of sending each student’s final transcript to only one college.
Warn students that some colleges reserve the right to rescind an offer of admission if they discover that a student has made a double deposit."
It’s not consider ethical to double deposit. As others have posted, you run the risk of being revoked by both universities.
You are absolutely NOT allowed to deposit on two schools.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Closing thread. The definitive answer has been given.