<p>I know this has been discussed in previous threads, but Im just hopping mad. The local school that has accepted my daughter requires a $1000 non-refundable deposit by March 7 to hold a spot. Of course they realize that the majority of prep schools and boarding schools have a March 10 decision date. Its nothing more than pure extortion for parents of kids who need a fall-back school. And the local school isnt a bad school at all! Its just not set up as a traditional boarding school. They send kids to ivy league and top private colleges all up and down the east coast and everywhere. Ugh. Awful policy. There is no reason not to have a March 15 deadline for sending in a deposit other than pure extortion. End of rant.</p>
<p>A few years ago, we were in a similar situation, but the local private schools that required a response earlier than M10 were both flexible in accommodating our situation, including the one that was offering DC significant amount of scholarship money. I don’t know what we would do if they had not been as flexible as they were. In your situation, I would at least appeal to the director of admissions if not the headmaster.</p>
<p>It is a similar thing here. The state schools and Baylor University require deposits to be put down and all before you have all your results, your financial aid, etc. UT Austin wants a non-refundable housing deposit before you even know if you are in. I had to put down for housing at Baylor and A&M months ago. And for UT Dallas. We have no financial aid offers anywhere yet.</p>