<p>Ok, if you have any advice or experience with this I would love to hear.
I'm applying to both Western WA Univ. and Univ. of Washington. I think WWU is a sure thing for me, and UW I'm just kind of hoping for. The thing is as a transfer, WWU requires you to pay the nonrefundable $250 fee by May 1, and UW doesn't even let you know if you've gotten in until June/July!! </p>
<p>Am I just supposed to potentially pay two $200+ admission fees?! I'm supporting myself and that kind of waste of money would really hurt me financially. </p>
<p>Ugh - sounds like a mess! I’d suggest posting your question in the transfer students forum. Otherwise, once you get notification from WWU, can you try contacting them and begging? Maybe if you contact them as soon as you hear back, rather than waiting until the deadline, you’ll be able to find a sympathetic soul who’d agree to make your deposit partially refundable.</p>
<p>Sounds like what you’re really going to need to do, though, is just start setting aside $20/week to cover the deposits. You don’t really need to eat, do you? ;)</p>
<p>Moved to Transfer Students forum.</p>
<p>This is a common problem for transfers since decisions and deadlines for acceptances vary widely from school to school and they often conflict.</p>
<p>Here are the things you can do:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Ask WWU for an extension of when you need to accept and pay the deposit.</p></li>
<li><p>Ask UW for an earlier decision.</p></li>
<li><p>If neither works, then put down the deposit at WWU and be prepared to lose it if you are accept and decide to attend UW.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thank you both for the replies and insight! After sleeping on it, I have a feeling I’ll just have to be prepared to lose a deposit. But at least now I guess I’ll have enough time to start saving up for the whole deal. 
</p>