<p>Wait list is one exception to the rule. Any counselor would tell you to go on ahead and put down a deposit to your best choice among those schools that have outright accepted you. All colleges would say the same. Absolutely go ahead and put down a deposit somewhere. It would be foolhardy not to do so. Everyone will understand if you have to renege on that commitment upon clearing a waitlist. Not that you will necessarily get your deposit money back. But the waitlist is one situation that all are in agreement that a student should go ahead and make the commitment with the intention of breaking it upon acceptance of another school.</p>