<p>I am starting to hear of more and more schools asking for admittance deposits before May 1 to reserve a place in their MT program. Although the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) advises that they must hold a space for you at the University until May 1, these guidelines were written before the last few year's surge of students auditioning for large numbers of colleges. There have been incidents where colleges have chosen to interpret this guideline as holding a place for an admitted student in the university, but not necessarily in the program, and students have actually lost their accepted places in MT programs. Not to panic anyone, but if you have received an acceptance with an early deposit request (before May 1) it would be smart to submit, in writing, a request for an extension for the deposit, and get the answer back in writing. Make sure that the answer specifies that a place will be held for you in the MT program, not just the school in general. Although schools are doing this to try and finalize lists early, I'm concerned it is going to lead to a mass influx of 'double depositing', which is also against NACAC guidelines. So the schools will be shooting themselves in the 'feet' in the long run . . .</p>
<p>Is this issue separate from housing deposits? This is our first college kid. How quickly does housing fill up? Should we send deposits to several schools if we haven’t made a final decision? Our concern is that if we wait until May 1 to send the decision and the deposit we may be SOL on housing.</p>
<p>@cheeseheadmike - Yes it is. We did send in a couple housing deposits last year in April because one of the schools had pretty scarce housing. As it was we were waitlisted at the one place but they said it always opens up and my D got her third choice at the current school but it ended up fine because it was the most remodeled dorm and she ended up really liking it.</p>
<p>At many schools housing is refundable if you let them know by May 1st but be sure to ask the school or check the website.</p>