Double-deposit College Admissions

<p>It's almost time for deadlines, but my family is still unable to decide which college to attend, since we've been very busy lately with moving, and I've had some business out of town.</p>

<p>The two colleges I am down to right now are UT Austin and SMU w/ a scholarship</p>

<p>I haven't had time to see both schools yet, so I can't really decide. Nevertheless, the deposit deadline is May 1st.</p>

<p>My family is thinking of placing deposits at both schools, in addition to waiting for waitlist decisions. However, SMU/UT are the main issues at the moment.</p>

<p>Although I have not read explicitly anywhere that it is illegal to double-deposit, and if they find out they have the right to rescind my acceptance, I am still worried about the possibility. However, then again, just HOW would they find out anyway?</p>

<p>Would/Can colleges rescind my acceptance?</p>

<p>(Yes, I am aware that it is unethical. I am usually one of the biggest people for that. However, in this case, I believe the next for years of my life, leading to the rest, takes precedence in that matter.)</p>

<p>So you feel you’re a special case? If you applied under the common application, you affiremed that you would not dbl deposit. If you go forth and do so anyway, the schools will both be fully within their rights to rescind you. Do what you want but be willing to face the consequences.</p>

<p>BTW: if you later accept a waitlist offer, then you can withdraw with no ramifications beyond loss of deposit – this is a common occurance. But to double deposit, you are violating your contract under the common app.</p>

<p>It is perfectly OK to contact each admission office, tell them that you have not been able to visit the campus yet, that you plan to do so on April X or May Y, and ask if it is possible to have an extension of the reply date.</p>

<p>You also need to sit down with your parents, and run the numbers here: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid) Talk about just exactly how you will come up with the money needed for these two institutions, and whether or not the scholarship will make your decision for you. Perhaps it will.</p>

<p>Use search. Just yesterday…</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1136387-multiple-enrollment-fees-urgent.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1136387-multiple-enrollment-fees-urgent.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>and</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/183706-double-depositing-not-good-idea.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/183706-double-depositing-not-good-idea.html?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1131088-holding-down-2-colleges.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/1131088-holding-down-2-colleges.html?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>UT does not use the Common Application, however SMU does. When you applied, you had to mark an electronic signature in order to submit in which you agreed to the following:

</p>

<p>I’m not familiar with the UT application, but I’m going to guess it includes similar language.</p>

<p>So, you may only deposit to one institution. If you are accepted from a waitlist you may accept and forfeit your original deposit. Logically it really wouldn’t buy you much time. The vast majority of institutions require a final transcript from your hs, and your hs will only send one. If they receive multiple requests from schools for final transcripts red flags are raised and phone calls are made. It also reflects very poorly on the hs to have students double deposit.</p>

<p>I searched through multiple threads for at least 2 hours.</p>

<p>Therefore, for UT it’s alright, since I applied through applytexas?</p>

<p>As for SMU, I didn’t apply through CommonApp. They sent me this “Distinguished Candidate Application” packet, and I don’t recall any similar quote.</p>

<p>Also, I was able to make a call to UT today, and the admissions officer said that once admitted, they would not be able to revoke an acceptance.</p>

<p>I haven’t contacted SMU yet. However, my preference at the moment is SMU>UT</p>

<p>I promise you that if SMU includes this language in the Common App, which most applicants use, their policy is the same for other apps. You are looking for a loophole to tell you that double depositing is okay. It’s not.

Did they tell you this in response to a direct question regarding double deposits, or a general question about is there ‘ever a situation where they would rescind an acceptance’? Again, I think you are looking for someone to tell you that committing insincerely to these universities, with full intent of revoking one past the 5/1 deadline is okay. It’s not.</p>

<p>Alright, thanks then.
Actually, my primary concern is that it seems like I will be failing one of my courses this year. Although it’s not required for graduation, it still falls under the category of core courses.</p>

<p>I’ll try to get in touch with SMU tomorrow and see what they say.</p>

<p>Okay, yes I remember your other post now. You have a valid concern in trying to find out if either school is likely to rescind your acceptance in the event that you do not pass your class. Accepting to both to see what they do and keep your options open is not the best way to do this.</p>

<p>Try to get in touch with both schools tomorrow and ask very, very specifically about your situation. This is not a time to be vague. Speak with a dean of admissions, not a student. It’s important that you get the correct answer. Be brutally honest about your academic situation. Find what both schools say, which will still accept you in August, and make a commitment. What you don’t want to do is gloss over your academic situation, hear that they will accept you, commit, and then find in July they turn you down because your final transcript was worse then they anticipated. Be honest.</p>

<p>If you need help, see your Guidance Counselor first thing tomorrow and perhaps they could help facilitate, or take part in, a phone call to the schools to get answers. I wish you the very best of luck!</p>

<p>I would be surprised if your GC would send in your final transcript to both schools.</p>

<p>Its time to make a decision.</p>

<p>My school actually allows us to list 3 schools just in case some of us haven’t decided yet, or we’re waiting for a waitlist. They as during the last week of April.</p>

<p>Thanks, I have. SMU it is!
I’ll be shooting for a 100 on my final exam and praying for a curve.</p>