As my daughter is starting to get academic acceptances, many schools are asking for an enrollment and/or housing deposit immediately. Some even go so far as to say that your spot will not be held if you don’t send in the deposit. Given that she won’t be making a decision until March or April, how are we supposed to deal with this?
Some schools say the deposit is refundable, but fronting this kind of money at each of the 14 schools she is auditioning at will be a burden to say the least.
Thanks in advance to families who have been through this!
How many of those schools have guaranteed housing for freshmen?
The one we got today was from UW-Stevens Point. It said that it guarantees admittance to everyone (that was accepted) and pays the enrollment fee until they reach their enrollment max. The fee is 100% refundable if you notify them before May 1. So, I can get it back, but sending in all those enrollment fees will be painful on top of all the rest we are dishing out for applications/auditions/travel.
I guess what I am wondering is since these MT students don’t learn of their true acceptance until March or April - do schools hold spots aside for these kids??
It really depends upon the school. We luckily didn’t have any that we had to do that with, but I know there are schools that ask for deposits up front, regardless of whether you know/are still waiting for your artistic outcome.
We have been ignoring the housing deposit requests. I don’t think that D has applied to any schools where Freshman housing is a problem? But regardless, I can’t imagine it would be an issue this early. Maybe something to look at around 3/1, if an acceptance has been received, but you are waiting on 1 or more?
I will say if you are interested in an honors
Dorm, I know some kids that we know who are already accepted to their top choice have already chosen their honors dorm. Guess that’s more limited and competitive?
Call the MT (or Acting) department and ask how these things are handled. Some schools roll out the red carpet for MT’s and offer priority housing, scheduling, etc. Some schools do nothing special. One school my S was accepted to even offered MT’s priority over honors student in housing and scheduling.
@Momwithagirl for UW-Stevens Point, I was looking at the application and it asks you to indicate which major you are seeking. Did your daughter indicate BFA? If so, and if the college requires an audition to the theater department, I’m curious about how she was admitted without that having happened yet? Did they just offer a BA acceptance even though she may have indicated BFA on the application?
We had that situation at one school last year and went ahead and paid it just in case. Others didn’t require it.
@lovetoact The acceptance letter was not specific, it just says that she has been selected for admission to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for the 2017 Fall semester. It goes on to list the merit scholarship information she has been awarded. She did indicate BFA on the application, so I guess this is just an academic acceptance.
Thanks for the clarification @Momwithagirl --best of luck to you this application/audition season!
@Momwithagirl I would say check with each school, only one of my D’s schools really did have a need for early deposit for honors housing. Also out of the schools she gets accepted to, which are true contenders? Those you might want to put the deposits on probably not all 14 are her top choices. Hope that helps and best of luck!