is the deposit binding??

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
1

<p>i recently got off the waitlist at duke and have some time to think about it. in the mean time, i have to pay a deposit just in case (i haven't received finaid from duke nor have a visited again). can i pay the deposit at uva and back out if i decide to go to duke??</p>

2

<p>You’re not supposed to but I know someone who did that exact thing (got into UVA, deposited, got off Duke waitlist, changed mind). It’s a little different because you already know you’re off the Duke waitlist, though. OTOH he didn’t really like Duke and I think he might have liked UVA better! So weigh your options closely, they are very different schools.</p>

3

<p>why don’t you simply contact UVA admissions and request an extra 48 hours. They might be happy to let you have that time. It is not like the UVA waitlist isn’t clamoring for your chair…they can make someone else happy probably in May.<br>
I bet you can get an extension tomorrow. This sort of thing happens all the time…</p>

<p>My son chose Duke. Of course the recession has made us view this family choice a bit differently…his major is actually quite exceptional at UVA, and graduate school there costs a lot more than undergrad.</p>

4

<p>Are you sure you are not “supposed to?” Because I thought deposit was ALWAYS non-binding. Otherwise, waitlist system will not work. You deposit to a college you want to attend before the due date, and when you are notified that you got off the waitlist, you remove all your app materials from the college you previously sent the deposit to. You will not get the deposit money back.</p>

<p>Waitlist students are notified as late as the last week of June. There is no way deposit is binding.</p>

5

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<p>The *decision *is not binding, but you lose the money. Right?</p>

<p>There’s no force of law with respect to the decision. The money is chiefly to indicate your seriousness. </p>

<p>However, see Dean J’s remarks here: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-virginia/918425-sort-financial-aid-dilemma.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-virginia/918425-sort-financial-aid-dilemma.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Some leeway should be allowed. Otherwise applicants such as yourself are in a bind through no fault of your own.</p>

6

<p>Oh, Marsden, thanks so much for correcting me. I did not read OP’s question correctly, all my fault. You do indeed lose the money. </p>

<p>Thanks for spotting my mistake!</p>

7

<p>No problem… it’s actually sort of murky and I’m not sure I’ve clarified it properly. According to Dean J at that link, the decision itself should really be considered binding, as well as the deposit forfeit. </p>

<p>That said, the policy does not adequately address the dilemma faced by the OP, IMHO. I would still answer the OP “Yes” but it does seem a bit contrary to stated policy.</p>

8

<p>Depositing at one school, then canceling because you got off the waitlist at a different school is okay. The deposit is not returned, though.</p>

<p>Depositing at two schools to buy yourself more time to make the decision is not okay.</p>