<p>Hi. I've been accepted into Cornell and it's my number two choice school at this point. My number one choice is Duke, which I found out that I was waitlisted to. I am planning to place a deposit at Cornell, but if I get off the waitlist at Duke, then I will definately go there. </p>
<p>My question is, how binding is the deposit at Cornell? Do they force you to withdraw offers from other schools when you place that deposit? Is it at all refundable if you get admitted to and decide to go to another school (Duke in my case)?</p>
<p>The deposit is non-refundable in both cases you proposed. If Cornell is #2 I don't see the reason to place another deposit elsewhere while you decide...undergrad admissions is not like med school admissions :-)</p>
<p>If you are admitted to Duke...simply notify Cornell so they can give your spot to another applicant...you will not get your deposit back though.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure the deposit is not refundable should you decide not to attend Cornell after all. I don't think you are obligated to Cornell to attend however if you get off Duke's waitlist. However, I do remember a school my daughter was accepted to and I can't remember which one that indicated they felt the deposit was a commitment to attend. I don't know that that is enforceable--I think they were just trying to get people to think carefully about sending the deposit if they weren't serious.</p>
<p>You should only put deposit down for one school. If you get off your waitlisted school, you can then withdraw from the school you have given deposit to. The deposit is not refundable.</p>