<p>Daughter has been accepted to first choice school (UT Austin), and is pretty sure she wants to attend there, but has not yet sent in enrollment deposit. She cannot get a housing contract until that is sent in. </p>
<p>I've been stalling a little, because we know she's eligible for a departmental scholarship - I keep wondering if they're more likely to consider her for a scholarship if she hasn't committed, or if it makes any difference. </p>
<p>It depends on the school if a deposit makes a difference.
Do they offer an opportunity for a refund before the May 1 enrollment confirmation deadline? If so, they probably know that some students may take back the deposit. But if they do offer a refund, then you could always send & know that you can get it back if needed!
Many times it helps in housing placement to have deposited early. So if she ends up at UTAustin, it may be good to have sent it in.</p>
<p>At some schools you can end up in outer Siberia if you do not send in an enrollment deposit soon. Don't know about UT. My feeling is that it does not make a difference because I know so many kids who turn in one of those deposits and do not show up at the school. Is there a reason why you think UT may be saving the scholarship for those yet not committed? Many times departmental scholarships are given by the department and not by admissions, so they may not know your status. Also where do you send the deposit--to the business office or housing, or to admissions?</p>
<p>I always suggest writing a letter to the committee responsible for issuing the scholarship, letting them know how interested you are in it, updating them on your activities.</p>
<p>If it's her first choice school, I normally would recommend sending in the housing deposit to ensure a chance at preferred housing. However, it sounds as if she's not sure that she wants to attend so whether the deposit is refundable, or its size, could be an issue for you.</p>
<p>I think that UT is so large that if the scholarship is given by admissions, they won't spend time trying to figure out whether it would make a difference or not, but award it anyway if she qualifies. Might be that if the scholarship is given by the department, her status as not yet committed could have a positive effect, but might also have a negative effect - they might prefer to give it to a student whom they want to have and who's definitely attending, especially if there is a chance that the scholarship would not be made available to another student if it's offered and declined.</p>
<p>Good questions - I called admissions, and yes, the enrollment deposit goes to them - however, all departments can go online and check her status as to whether it's been paid. </p>
<p>Yes, the deposit is refundable before May 1. </p>
<p>Admissions said that housing gets tricky when the bulk of students find out their status - April 1 - although UT is such a large portion of "top 10%" that I would think a lot of students already know (just my thinking). </p>
<p>The particular scholarship is given out by the engineering department, and is based on SAT/ACT scores, class rank, from what is shown in the info we have received. </p>
<p>You all make valid points - it really sounds like it could go either way in positive/negative. </p>
<p>Thanks for such quick responses - I knew "the parents" would give me some guidance!</p>
<p>Did you already apply for housing? My daughter applied the first day it was available, I believe it was September 1. For those that are not aware, UT request that students apply for housing before knowing if they are admitted. Housing application is separate from admission application. While you are not assigned a dorm at that time, you are listed in the order that your deposit is paid. Early deposit means earlier choice of dorms.</p>
<p>To bad we can't give away our slot, as my daughter didn't end up applying to UT.</p>
<p>Housing at UT is very limited, and many kids do send in their housing apps the first day they are available. You might want to call UT and find out if they give any priority to NMS in terms of housing. If not, your daughter might find herself without campus housing, or staying in one of those awful basement rooms.. (But there are other options. There are some pretty interesting housing coops just off campus - run independently, if your daughter likes funky and quirky and cheap.)</p>
<p>I think you should make the deposit if it will give your daughter a better chance of getting good housing. </p>
<p>My son got a college sponsored NMS scholarship AFTER he had made a deposit -- it was not something offered as part of the initial financial aid package. It was a nice surprise, actually, because we weren't counting on it. It may be that with NM the schools may have a limited number of awards, and they may hold back on their designations until after they have confirmed that the student will attend. The money is coming from NM, so it is in the college's interest to prioritize students who are sure to attend.</p>
<p>For a school its size, UT-Austin is remarkably efficient in processing the applications for admissions and housing. I would not hesitate to send the enrollment deposit. After sending your first deposit, you can expect to receive a housing contract that will require an additional deposit and a very prompt decision. It is a good idea to line up your options for housing as soon as you accept the offer for admissions.</p>
<p>2girlsmom -- Our daughter went through the UT admissions process last year, and we found it totally impersonal. Frankly, the impression they gave was that they have so many students to choose from they don't really care. Our daughter was a national merit scholar, ranked number 1, national ECs and awards. She applied to UT, but never committed. They never wooed her in any way. In the end, she went to UChicago on a full tuition merit scholarship. UT offered her a small departmental scholarship -- I think it was only about $1,000. It was cheaper for her to go to UChicago, which was her first choice school anyway. Her father is a UT graduate and he was really turned off by UT's admissions process. So, my thought is that you did the right thing by sending the housing deposit if she plans to attend. I'm not sure UT even notices -- or cares -- about whether they miss a few good students. They're just too big.</p>