Making the decision: the deposits

I have a question.

Due to personal issues, I don’t think I will be able to make a decision as to where I am going to college by May 1st.

Is it okay to send in deposits and reserve my spot in two different colleges?
My parents don’t mind losing the deposit money to one of the colleges.
A friend of mine said that both colleges will reject me if they find out that I reserved a spot in both places. PLZ help me!

<p>They REALLY don't like it when people do that. When you deposit to them, they are assuming that you're maltriculating (unless you get off of a wait list). I asked an admissions rep. about this earlier this year (just on depositing to a school before I heard from the last school so as to reserve housing, etc.), and this was his reply: </p>

<p>You are under no obligation to deposit to any school until May 1, unless you were admitted to that school through a binding Early program and they have earlier posted deposit deadline. Depositing to more than one school is deemed unethical by college admission offices.</p>

<p>Admission rep.'s name</p>

<p>(BTW, I felt horrible for even thinking of it after receiving that response-even though I didn't even perform the depositing action yet!)</p>

<p>Well, you see, I am not trying to be deceitful or unethical.
I am actually handicapped. I am having a lot of trouble finding agencies who can DEFINITELY provide an aide, transportation services, etc.
I really want to go to NYU but it's far from my house. So there is no way to commute. If I sent a deposit to NYU and then it turns out I can't get an aide, I am SCREWED since I would have to dorm there.</p>

<p>The other choice is fordham. I would rather go to NYU but Fordham is not as far so I can commute. </p>

<p>It truly is a dilemma... I don't know what to do!</p>

<p>Any more words of advice??</p>

<p>I can relate to the whole handicapped thing. I'm handicapped as well (vision mainly-It's literally horrible), and my handicap has influenced how I'm approaching the whole college thing, too. </p>

<p>I know you weren't trying to be deceitful (neither was I when I e-mailed that admissions rep. which was also why I e-mailed him in the first place-I didn't want to deceive anyone). In your case, call both schools, and ask them what they think about your situation. They may "throw you a bone."</p>

<p>These are special cases that (imo) warrant explanation to the school admission office. I think it is fine, and necessary really, to call and discuss this practical consideration with your admission officer at NYU. They might even have a way to help you. </p>

<p>Both of you-- don't ask the question without explaining the background. Otherwise it could seem like you are working some angle (that's what I thought with your initial post), and clearly that is not going on here. I think it is also appropriate to ask the accepted colleges if they have resources to help you settle at the school.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

<p>Call the schools, try to work it out with them.</p>

<p>If that doesn't work out, ask them for an extended deadline while you figure things out yourself.</p>

<p><<well, you="" see,="" i="" am="" not="" trying="" to="" be="" deceitful="" or="" unethical.="">></well,></p>

<p>Nor did you come across as either. Usually, stating "personal issues" is sufficient and I disagree that posters here are entitled to know what those personal issues are and that you were working some "angle" like you're a con artist or something. How insulting.</p>

<p>That said, I agree that you should call the school and explain your situation. I suspect that there are some accessibility issues that they need to be made aware of so that they can address them. I'm confused as to whether you need an aide only if you commute or is it that you can't stay in a dorm unless you have an aide? </p>

<p>Don't give up on NYU b/c of accessibility issues. I would call each admissions office and explain the situation and ask if you can hold your spot in both schools until you work out the aide issue.</p>

<p>I agree with mcdeb1958. You really didn't need ot give us the details on your situation unless YOU really wanted to do so because our opinions on this board really don't count for much. Heck, in my case, you're just talking to some random kid out in cyberspace. What do I know? Answer: nothing.</p>

<p>BTW, just call each of the schools and see how the situation plays itself. That way, they will both know that you're thinking about depositing to two schools (and won't come after you for it like your friend suggested that they would) and may even be able to help you in your situation. I'm sure that they'll be a lot more understanding than you think they will be (most admission people are from what I've experienced so far from them).</p>

<p>Thanks for the many replies guys.
I really don't mind telling others about my disability.
It's something I don't need to be ashamed about and I am not sensitive of people discussing it. God gave it to me for a reason and I am blessed beyond the difficulties.</p>

<p>Both seem to say that they don't recommend it. I guess that leaves me with having to make the decision within this week. I thought they would be more understanding but I guess not.</p>

<p>Are you dealing with admissions office or the students with disabilities office? Admissions offices are up to their eyeballs I'm sure.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.nyu.edu/csd/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.nyu.edu/csd/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Mcdeb has the right idea. Contact the disability offices and ask for assistance. Note that the two things you mentioned, an aide and transportation are not the college's responsibility to provide if it is a personal aide and the transportation is to the campus. However, if you are going to have a personal aide you really need to clear that with the college if it involves having someone in the classroom or dorm with you. If you need assistance in the classroom, a notetaker, scribe, sign language or oral translator, or electronic adjustments to the classroom, the college by law will have to provide it.</p>

<p>Read this pamphlet from the US Department of Education: <a href="http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I know that NYU has tons of shuttle busses, I don't know how accessible they are but I've been almost hit by one twice.</p>