Declining the offer of admission after accepting

Applying to College
1

<p>Dear folks,</p>

<p>my name is Peter, I'm a resident of Switzerland. I was admitted to a NYU Steinhardt's master program starting in fall 2012 and accepted their offer via the internet (by April 15th) and paid the non-refundable deposit. Worst case: During the last week it turned out that for serious scholarship issues I'm not able to pay the tuition of more than 30k/year. I have no idea what to do. Since I've already accepted their offer, my question is: is it still possible to decline it or am I legally committed to my acceptance?
Thanks a lot your help!!!!</p>

<p>Peter</p>

2

<p>You can withdraw. You will lose the non-refundable deposit that you have paid, but that is all it will cost you.</p>

3

<p>There is no legal obligation to attend. Just notify NYU that you will not be attending. Your deposit will not be refunded of course.</p>

<p>At least that would be the norm unless you are in some special program.</p>

4

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>thanks for replying so quickly. I was wondering if they can charge the tuition, since I accepted and I’m about to decline now. I’m aware of losing the deposit, but that’s not my biggest worry. I mean, I really want to attend this school and I’m about to have the money I need in Spring 2013. Do you think they would accept me again if I state the circumstances for my withdrawal clearly?</p>

<p>If there’s anybody out there who can confirm this, please do so, this will take away my worries :)</p>

<p>Thx and best,</p>

<p>Peter</p>

5

<p>PS: It’s a master’s program …</p>

6

<p>I think you should ask if you can defer for one semester. Agree, just call them and explain.</p>

7

<p>I agree withSnowdog. Send an email or call your admissions officer and/or the director of your graduate program and request a deferment of one semester for financial reasons. It is a reasonable request. They may not allow January admits into the grad school – ask for a deferment until fall 2013 if that is the case.</p>

8

<p>I suppose they could send you a bill for the tuition, but they can’t force you to pay the bill.</p>

<p>But Snowdog and violao have made a very good point. If there’s a chance that you could have financing for your master’s degree together in a semester, or a year, you should ask NYU whether you can defer your enrollment for a year while you secure financing, rather than withdrawing completely. </p>

<p>If you defer, you’ll just stay for a semester or a year in the status that you’re currently in: accepted, anticipating enrolling, but not yet enrolled. If you do this, they will probably hold onto your deposit for a year, but then apply it to your tuition for the first semester when you are actually enrolled.</p>