<p>I got into my top 2 choices this week - both private colleges with tuition & R+B at around $35,000-$40,000. </p>
<p>School 1 (39,000) gave $10,000 for 4 years with 3.0 gpa
School 2 (35,000) gave $6,500 for only 08-09. </p>
<p>Both said that I have until May 1st to make a decision & send in housing & tuition deposits. Both will be refunded if notified by a certain date.
Did you wait until you made your decision to send in deposits? Are you at an advantage when sending them early? </p>
<p>Also, since it's really between these 2 schools, I was wondering if I could make a decision & send deposits before FA is received? If I send in deposit & reply card "Yes I will be attending" before FA is announced, will I receive less aid?</p>
<p>You are at no disadvantage by waiting unless there is priority housing by order of deposit received. I believe this is more common in public universities. Many students wait until the spring and attend Accepted Student Days.</p>
<p>If there is priority housing by order of deposit received and you can afford it, send in the housing deposits. This is seperate from sending in the I will be attending" card. Wait until you see the FA aid packages from both schools before sending the I will be attenidng card to one of them.</p>
<p>My S (4 years ago) sent in the housing deposit early enough that he got one of the coveted slots in a dorm near most of his classes, usually reserved for upperclass students. He wasn't sure he was going there yet, but it was a safe bet.</p>