<p>Vossron - it’s no longer an honor code. The new common application has changed that. It used to be understood practice, until people like newmassdad thought it was not a contract between school and student. Now it is. Any
moral obligation or integrity issue is now out the window. I am not a lawyer, but o have signed enough agreements to think it is pretty clear.</p>
<p>Like I sId, I am not a lawyer, so I can’t say whether it’s legally binding. But if nothing else it would be something very similar to some school’s honor code where each student agrees not cheat or lie. If caught in doing so it may be ground for dismissal. Some lawyers have tried to challenge it, but have not been succesful.</p>
<p>Minors cannot enter into a legal contract; that alone makes it an honor system. Violation can, indeed, be grounds for dismissal, rejection, or rescinding.</p>
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<p>What on earth is “vague” about that statement, newmassdad?
Sure, the possible penalty is “vague” in so far as “may” is not “shall” legally, to account for policy variance at the sum total of schools. However, an “affirmation” that you will deposit at “only one” school is about as unambiguous as you can get.</p>
<p>My son is a finalist in two major local scholarships. Both are renewable for 4 years. Getting either one of those scholarships will make attending his dream school (a top ranked school in his somewhat rare chosen major) possible. If he does not receive either of those scholarships, he will most likely attend our state’s flagship university (which has substantially lower job placement statistics). He will not find out about either one of these scholarships before mid may (1 of them is actually June 1–announced at senior awards just before graduation). </p>
<p>He has also applied for a major renewable scholarship from the dream school itself. According to the school’s website, announcements for that scholarhsip will also be made sometime in mid may. </p>
<p>Should he give up on his dream school so that he can avoid double depositing? (Neither of the schools in question used the common app)</p>
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<p>Crosby Sills and Nash</p>
<p>“Should he give up on his dream school so that he can avoid double depositing?”</p>
<p>If neither school prohibits it, then no. If one or both do, perhaps you can get exemptions for this special case.</p>
<p>Schooner, I feel it is entirely possible to navigate your exceptionally unusual circumstances by picking up the phone, saying “Hello, dream school, may we hold our spot pending this outcome. If this outcome is not achieved, we will be releasing our non-refundable deposit. We would like to maintain a deposit at an affordable school pending this outcome, with the blessing of both you and “affordable” school.”</p>
<p>Then, call the affordable school and explain.</p>
<p>I predict each will be gracious, will ask you to update them as soon as possible, and that no harm will come to your student – if they say so at admissions. So, if you give the courtesy of a call, there is clarity in communication, and an agreement from the school – you’re golden.</p>
<p>Cases such as yours is why the common app says “MAY rescind” not “shall.”</p>
<p>My son faced a semi-similar situation, but did not end up needing to hold a second deposit because he lucked out with a few unexpected scholarships. But the conversation had been had in advance with the schools in question, and they certainly appreciated the communication. Good luck!</p>
<p>schooner - this is your first post, so I am not sure if you are for real. In case you are, your finance is your own business, not the school’s. It’s no different than if you were expecting an inheritance that could enable your kid to go to his dream school. It has nothing to do with either one of those schools. You need to decide how certain your kid would be getting the scholarship and what kind of risk you are willing to take. You could always contact the dream school to see if they would hold the spot for your kid until you know the outcome of his scholarship. At the end of day, your finance is your own issue. If the scholarship was related to either school then they would be more obligated in giving you some leeway, but it is an outside scholarship which has nothing to do with those schools.</p>
<p>Actually, it is not my first post. I have been on this site since last September and have received much great advice/information. I just changed screen names today to protect my son’s anonymity for a couple of reasons (I gave away too much information about my son in previous posts–to his great angst). </p>
<p>Regarding his chances–with one of his scholarships he is one of four finalists. Decent enough chances that he still has great hope. With the 2nd local scholarship, we have no idea how many finalists there are, or how to guage his chances. </p>
<p>To be honest, we have a refundable desposit at one of the schools (which says to me they know that students are going to change their minds when all the necessary financial information can finally be considered.) and a nonrefundable (but small) deposit at the other school. </p>
<p>I do know that in our area, there are several families in our same situation, and I have to believe it is somewhat common throughout the US</p>
<p>As I said earlier, neither of these schools used the common app. I do know that the state school had nothing on the deposit form about double deposits/commitments.</p>
<p>Exactly…it is a gray area that nobody wants to truly clairify…it just “is”.</p>
<p>MTM,</p>
<p>It is a grey area because colleges have no choice. They can’t make legally binding contracts with minors. </p>
<p>And there is another issue that I have not raised before: antitrust. Some of you may recall that as recently as 15 years ago, the ivy league met annually to decide on financial aid packages for every admittee, such that offers of financial aid were the same from any ivy university. The feds forced them to discontinue the practice. </p>
<p>Some folks believe the same reasoning could apply to restrictive enrollment practices. Note that the situation we’ve been discussing is not the same as SCEA. There is a clear quid pro quo for SCEA. That’s not the case with offers of admission.</p>
<p>Colleges know the situation with deposits is much to complicated to boil down to black and white rules. They rely on “moral suasion” because it suits their needs, and the effort has obviously been quite successful. They also know they are one step, one bungled situation, away from really bad press (which is what most elite universities fear most!). So, like so many things, they engage in PR. </p>
<p>Just for the record, I do not advocate willy nilly double depositing. I do suggest though, that in some circumstances (see sooner for example, or think if the kid that can’t afford to visit a lot of campuses before acceptance, and may not have enough time before AP exams) where it could be justified. </p>
<p>Is it fair to other waitlistees to do so? Is the system fair to anyone?</p>
<p>newmassdad… In my opinion you hit the nail on the head “Is the system fair to anyone?”</p>
<p>Very few kids is it clear cut and dry for. Kids that don’t have to worry about FA, kids that don’t care about housing, kids that don’t get waitlisted, etc… The system is not ideal. Kids at 17-18 years old are having to make life-changing decisions and many are just not prepared to do so authoritatively and without time and changing their minds. </p>
<p>I also do not support willy nilly double depositing, but unfortunately in some cases it is necessary for a kid to protect their future. </p>
<p>My son is on a waitlist at his # 1 school, and although I hope no one at his potential school double deposits, I would not hold it against a kid if they did it for valid reasons.</p>
<p>I have a situation where double depositing makes sense to me <em>today</em> although things may change by May 1. My son is waitlisted with a guaranteed transfer option to his dream school. The restrictions and guidelines surrounding this offer are a little complex and we may not have exact and precise answers to them by May 1. At the moment, dream school is not answering its phones due to a high call volume! </p>
<p>We are not sure which of the second choice schools will be the best option for our son given the transfer option. It depends on what dream school says. It’s very tempting to double deposit until we get the questions answered and can make the most informed decision possible. </p>
<p>I am hopeful that we can get an appointment with dream school to sit down and discuss our options before May 1. That will tell us where to (single) deposit.</p>
<p>Schnooner-- I think sometimes the way this is presented it becomes as if it is an antagonistic situation with the school. I don’t really believe a situation like yours is the type that is being discussed, and I think the schools like to have the information. So, if you reach the May 1st date without hearing, then by all means call the schools and tell them what it is you are waiting for…be honest and open. I think schools really do want to work with students. I do not think they are sitting around trying to trap people.</p>
<p>If they were, the deposits would be much higher. Don’t deposit until May, though, or if you hear earlier and if you find yourself at the end of April still waiting to hear? Call them up. Go first choice first, in case they want you to guarantee attendance…fwiw</p>
<p>I think that there is a big difference between double depositing before May 1st and after May 1st. I was encouraged by one of my schools to pay for a nonrefundable housing deposit in order to secure housing. They told me specifically that I could back out but I wouldn’t get my money back. I think that this kind of double depositing is perfectly ok because the college knows that you are just securing a spot before you make a final decision May 1st.</p>