<p>I must pay a $400 deposit to attend Rice before May 12. Chicago and Stanford, my first- and second-choices, respectively, will not release decisions until "mid-May" and Northwestern + MMSS, my third choice, will not release decisions until late May or early June. </p>
<p>Should I</p>
<pre><code> a. request an extension from Rice?
b. ask Chicago and Stanford to send their decisions earlier?
c. incur a possible $400 loss by paying the deposit then withdrawing?
</code></pre>
<p>I'm ready to incur a loss if by paying early I am increasing my chances of receiving on-campus housing (which is becoming scarce at Rice), but are there any other consequences to paying and withdrawing? Should I withdraw before a certain date? Note: I will probably not attend NU (if they accept me) if I don't also get into the MMSS program.</p>
<ol>
<li>Ask for an extension</li>
<li>If not approved, be ready to incur the loss. Don't think you can extend to the point when you'll hear from NU</li>
</ol>
<p>No repercussions if you pay the deposit for Rice and end up going somewhere else, at least from what I recall from last year... </p>
<p>If Rice isn't receptive to extending the deadline, pay the deposit, and try to recoup the funds (it's difficult, but it can be done), later on if you are accepted somewhere else... :)</p>
<p>ask for an extension, i did this when i was first entering undergrad, and they granted it. most colleges will simply tell you, don't worry about meeting the deadline, but just make sure you confirm before blowing it off.</p>
<p>Under what grounds could they penalize you further? How can they demand more money if you're not attending? Would they stick a collection agency on you? Doubtful.</p>