<p>This may be a tempest in a teapot. I'll bet that most colleges would grant an extension of a couple of weeks if you explained reasonable grounds, for example, real inability to schedule a long-distance campus visit in April. They want to yield their admitted students, and things like deferrals and waitlist action doesn't settle down until mid-summer anyway. Think of it from the admissions office perspective: even if they're completely self-serving they'll know you've requested two extensions and they'll want to be the good guys. In any case, nothing ventured, nothing gained if your nightmare scenario develops. Hope it doesn't!</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted at one college that doesn't announce cost increase till JULY! Last year apparently the jump was quite substantial. It doesn't seem fair to make the kids choose in May when they don't know final cost numbers.</p>
<p>RE: housing deposits; Many many kids have multiple deposits down before May 1; some colleges are very clear that the best housing goes to the earlier depositers. I don't think this is quite fair on the college's part either - I think they should just assign randomly after May 1.</p>
<p>MathildaMae, regarding your comment that there are not enough weekends to visit in April, kids at our school can get up to 5 days excused absence for college visits in April. The classes tend to be pretty empty that month.</p>
<p>Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I'v just started to learn this language ;)
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo</p>
<p>Wait a minute here. Double depositing is NOT ALWAYS against the rules. There are some colleges that will tell you specifically that they will drop you if they find out you have double deposited and/or ask your student to sign a statement at the time they send the deposit and commitment that says they are the one and only and there will be consequences inclutidng taking back the admissions. Most colleges are silent on the subject. THere are some very good reasons to double deposit at times.</p>
<p>When it comes close to the May 1 deadline, the colleges are now the ones on the hot seat. Kids with multiple acceptances are the ones with the power since until the colleges have the deposit and commitments, the admissions directors are doing the tap dance waiting to see the results of their season. Of course they are not going to want you to double deposit or triple or multiple deposit. But it is done all of the time. </p>
<p>When they accept your kid, they are taking into account that he may be waitlisted and clear the waitlist and renege. They also know kids change their mind, family situations change. They call this summer melt. THey know not everyone who pays the deposit is going to show up. Some schools make it clear that they will go after anyone they catch double depositing, and make the kid sign off on being the one and only, but the chances are really very small that they are going to catch that. However, you are then making a commitment in writing. Most schools do not have the one and only stipulation. It is something that is supposed to be understood.</p>
<p>Ethically, it is said to send deposits to two schools is wrong. I agree that to do so just to buy time cuz you can't make up your mind is getting into the spoiled brat realm. But there are times, it makes sense to send two deposits. Sometimes the financial aid or the final details and commitments from the colleges are not completed by the deadline and colleges are reluctant to extend the May 1 date if you ask. But you can hold a lot more leverage if you do. On May 1, kids who were awarded financial aid and or merit money sometimes decline the offers and maybe you can get the spoils. You may have some serious incomplete situations at hand.</p>
<p>You won't get much agreement about my opinion on this. Counselors, waitlisted students and their parents and admission folk will cry foul. But sometimes it is the best course of action to take.</p>
<p>My daughter's been accepted at seven schools and ALL of them have been very clear that she should get a deposit in ASAP ASAP ASAP and I don't think ANY of them have said anything cautionary about depositing at any other school.</p>
<p>That is almost always the case. In fact, some schools make the room assignments contingent to the acceptance of the school, and if you don't move soon, your daughter will get the least desired digs.</p>
<p>So far on this thread I have read that double depositing is immoral, unethical, a violation of trust, results in bad karma, a bad example to set to your kids, against the rules, screws other students as well as the college, risks withdrawal of the offer of admission, and subjects the high school to blacklisting. And I agree with all of the above. I would never do it for these and many other reasons.</p>
<p>But I didn't read anyone write that it is illegal.</p>
<p>I also didn't read anyone write that a person who double-deposited actually got caught and had both offers withdrawn. </p>
<p>Anyone know of such cases?</p>
<p>I have never heard of such cases. Doesn't mean it does not happen. There are colleges that do include the statement on their acceptance of admission that it is a consequence and/or require the student to stipulate that they are sending only one deposit and if it is discovered otherwise, the acceptance to that school will be rescinded. But very few colleges even bother with that language. In fact a number of schools are encouraging early room deposits to get the best spaces reserved. </p>
<p>It is not illegal.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <blockquote> <p>My daughter was accepted at one college that doesn't announce cost increase till JULY! Last year apparently the jump was quite substantial. It doesn't seem fair to make the kids choose in May when they don't know final cost numbers.>>></p> </blockquote> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>I agree. Not fair at all. IMHO the first year's tuition should be spelled out at the time the offer of admission is made. It should preferably be in the same letter. The more I learn about this process the more I am offended by the arrogance of many college administrations.</p>
<p>It is not illegal. It is NOT that hard for a school to find out you double deposited and rescind your admission. Really. So go for it and take your chances. But there are other repercussions as well. When the schools notify your high school guidance dept that you have accepted and they need a final transcript, your guidance counselor will find out. That is how college admissions often find out about double deposits. And guidance is then in a precarious spot. Sure they will look out for their student, but they will more than likely be looking out for their school, their school's reputation. And they most certainly will not want to jeopardize future acceptances at the colleges in question. So they may "mention" that there is a problem. They might out and out report you Because if they don't, and even if they do, you leave a mark on your high school by doing so.</p>
<p>And for schools that have an honor code, it is an honor violation. Not a good way to start out college life. </p>
<p>Ask for an extension at one school, deposit the other. They offer extensions ALL the time.</p>
<p>Gosh, I wouldn't have hesitated to pay 2 deposits just to buy that decision-making time, if I didn't mind spending the money (I try to be frugal). </p>
<p>Trust me, if my daughter gets off the wait list at her first choice school because someone decides in August not to go after all, that's perfectly okay with me! We can be flexible here, especially for such great news.</p>
<p>I can hardly believe colleges would penalize someone for making 2 deposits. I don't see the logic, only that you the consumer will definitely be out some money at the end of it all. Where does it say that you can't make 2 deposits? I find this website to be so informative, and I never would have thought twice about it, so if there are rules, I would definitely like to know where they can be found. I don't recall the colleges that have accepted her saying anything about this limitation, just let us know the deadline for sending in deposits, so I am left wondering why they wouldn't say something this important. </p>
<p>Or maybe it's just common courtesy not to make 2 deposits? I can see that, but again, some folks are not as well informed as they could/should be at this point, and might need the time to check out places that have admitted their child. And to reiterate, I would be ecstatic, not to mention my child, to find out in August that she can attend her first choice college because someone hedged their bets this way. Wouldn't bother me in the least.</p>
<p>In NY public schools final transcripts wouldn't go out till the end of June so the guidance counselor probably wouldn't know about double depositing for quite a while...and at some point there's going to be a big tuition/room/board payment due that only the wealthiest would risk double depositing on.</p>
<p>
[quote]
In NY public schools final transcripts wouldn't go out till the end of June so the guidance counselor probably wouldn't know about double depositing for quite a while
[/quote]
</p>
<p>While we do not send out transcripts until june, keep in mind some of us have on going relationships with schools. We are up front when it comes down to who is attending, and who is declining. In addition we are sent lists from the colleges regarding the application status of our students; who has applied, the final outcome in he admissions process including who has sent a deposit. So yes, your GC will know before June of a case of double depositing.</p>
<p>A little delay in sending out that final transcript usually is no big deal. My sons were late in sending out theirs, one because of an issue that needed to be corrected and another for a different reason. In many schools, you just can't register until that is received but it isn't going to stop the admitted ball from rolling.</p>
<p>Let's just say that I wouldn't want to put my kid in the situation to find out the repercussions "just to see If something happened." However, I think Cupofthehouse has a very good point with the upper hand in financial aid. However, not everone waits until the last minute to make decisions and some of those admitted (highly financed kids) will decline for whatever reason. Point: Money doesn't wait until May 1 to free up. </p>
<p>I admit it is bugging me that I cant find tuition numbers for next year yet to the schools son has so far been accepted. With the past economic issues and some school's endowment hits, blah blah blah.. I wonder if they are going to go the minimal route to encourage admisson or are they going to try and make up for a guaranteed short-fall? makes it hard even when you arent waiting on fi-aid offers.</p>
<p>But if you are waiting for those, doesn't the school have an obligation to get you those numbers ASAP? How can anyone expect you to make a decision without them? So.. If my kid really couldn't decide btween A&B school primarily because of financial aid, I see no hesitation to call them and say.. look, I really want to see my kid attend, but the financial aid offered, while generous (or whatever) just isn't enough to tilt the scales. What is your policy on reconsideration so as a family we can make the best decision possible for our child and our future financial status?</p>
<p>Airfares.. mostly you wont get any bigger break more than two weeks out unless you're talking months or group fares. Just saying. We are in the position where it might be a long weekend with no regard for accepted student dates because of game schedules, etc. And I feel smart to have saved up miles just for this scenario!</p>
<p>
[quote]
she could accept a spot on the waitlist and also accept the acceptance of a second school. But is there any rule against accepting two acceptances
[/quote]
</p>
<p>You are asking TWO different questions here. If your child is on a waitlist, I believe you CAN accept enrollment at ONE other school...ONE. Then if your child gets off of the waitlist, you would have to notify that school. However, read the fine print...you might not get your deposit back in that case. Varies by school.</p>
<p>You can NOT put deposits down on TWO schools. You are supposed to make a decision about matriculation and put a deposit down on ONE school by May 1. ONLY ONE.</p>
<p>The private schools might be more informative about next year costs. Some of the public schools have to wait for the politicians to approve everything and that isn't necessarily before May 1.</p>
<p>I know many, many, many kids who put deposits down on multiple schools with no repercussions. Don't know a single one who had any repercussions. I hear a lot of debate about whether it is ethical, and those are all opinions.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am pretty sure that if D is waitlisted at any of the remaining schools, she could accept a spot on the waitlist and also accept the acceptance of a second school. But is there any rule against accepting two acceptances?
[/quote]
This is not double-depositing, and it is perfectly fine and the only reasonable thing to do.</p>
<p>You have to secure a spot at a school that accepted you. If you later get off the waitlist at a school you prefer, you accept the spot, and let the original school know that you are not coming. That's how the waitlist system works. There are no other choices, and no moral dilemma here.</p>