Was wondering if there is any penalty other than losing the $200 deposit if we were to commit to FSU now, but then decommit in late April or early May. We are 95% sure about attending FSU, but on a waitlist for one other school and will not be notified until that time frame. I want my daughter to go through the full process with FSU so that she has housing, orientation, etc. but still have the ability to make a final decision if it comes down to that.
$50 penalty on housing contract, you get the rest back. The orientation fee is $190, not sure if that’s refundable.
Ok. So just deposit money lost, correct? They can’t hold you accountable for anything additional? We want to go ahead and commit to sign up for orientation, etc. as will most likely be attending there, but wanted to make sure just in case there is a last minute change.
You can (and should) apply for housing now. You’ll only lose your $50 deposit.
You can wait to pay your admissions deposit (and then pay for Orientation after paying the admissions deposit) until the admissions window closes on May 1. You would forfeit the $200 deposit for admissions and any Orientation deposits/payments that you make if you pay and then do not attend.
My advice? Pay the housing deposit and get a spot in the queue now. Wait until April to pay for the admissions deposit and orientation. That way, if your child doesn’t attend FSU, you’re only out $50, not a couple hundred.
We did the housing deposit during the early window. I’m worried that if we don’t commit, she will get a terrible orientation date and won’t have a good selection of classes. Does anyone have experience with this?
Many students who are waitlisted have to commit somewhere and can change their mind. All you will lose if your deposit. You need to move forward. If you get off the waitlist contact FSU and just say you decided to attend elsewhere. No harm, no foul.
You are always entitled to change schools. It happens all the time when students commit to a school and then get in off the waitlist to a preferred school. So if you can afford to lose the money and you feel more comfortable depositing on FSU now then you are free to do so. If a preferred school acceptance comes in then notify FSU you will not be attending at the same time that you deposit on the other college. You can’t have deposits in at two schools at the same time.
My son didn’t make his college decision until end of April last year. I don’t remember losing anything other than housing deposits at a couple of schools. He definitely did not commit early anywhere. There was no disadvantage to waiting on the decision, as I recall. He went to accepted students days at several schools. There was no problem signing up for orientation once he did commit.