<p>My kid has got an admission acceptance at UoM (Early Acceptance). The question is, he has applied RD at a number of schools (e.g. Harvard/ Duke/ Stanford) and might want to pursue them too.</p>
<p>So I have 2 questions:
1. Should he just click on the "respond now" button and accept his admission? Does this limit him from accepting other admissions, i.e. is it then become a restrictive decision?
2. Is it OK to click the Respond Now and pay the $300 holding fee, and then take the decision when he knows all the options?</p>
<p>He is also looking for the best aid package, and where a few months ago this was not that much of an issue, our financial circumstances are changing for the worse and he will need to factor it in.</p>
<p>Thank you for any responses.</p>
<p>I have a friend who just did this… accepted and paid a holding fee for a college even though her son is still looking at 3 other schools. I don’t really understand it. I thought most schools don’t require intent to enroll and deposit until May 1st. Is that not the case for UofM? Does his place “go away” if he doesn’t respond now? It shouldn’t. He applied EA not ED. I know that acceptance letters word as if you are for sure attending their school but there is a reason schools keep to a more universal response date. They know there is a chance kids won’t attend.</p>
<p>Editing to say that I looked at University of Michigan and the enrollment deposit for Fall of 2014 is May 1st. If you send after that deadline you loose your place but nowhere does it say you loose your place if you don’t submit 4 months early. I wouldn’t risk wasting 300 bucks should better packages come in from other schools.</p>
<p>It truly is OK for you to give the admissions office a quick call, and ask about this. Is the deposit refundable if there is a change before 5/1? Is it necessary to deposit now to get the best housing options/best course registration date/consideration for merit scholarships/something else? Sometimes everything can just wait.</p>
<p>Regarding a deteriorating financial situation, I know that most FA packages are based on the previous year’s tax returns, but in the case of a job loss or hit to a family business, that won’t work. I’m not an expert in this area, but you should contact the financial aid office at each of the schools in question and explain your circumstances. </p>
<p>Anyone with more info about how best to approach this is more than welcome to chime in.</p>