<p>I don't recall that they asked for a deposit in that letter, although I'd have to go dig out papers to make sure. Once we got the acceptance phone call we had already put in a deposit before we got that letter, knowing we could get it back.</p>
<p>But as noted, the wording of the letter could be taken as one thing unless you read it closely and thought about what it was saying.</p>
<p>The two choices were (approximatly) "Yes, I plan to pursue the MT program if I attend Elon in the Fall" and "No, I have will be pursuing other plans" (I don't remember if the "No" language spoke about MT or not, although I tend to think it did).</p>
<p>When you really read it, it almost sounded more like a courtesy request and opportunity to decline early if you could/would.</p>
<p>I don't recall that either had anything to do with Spring Weekend.</p>
<p>If the deposit is refundable until May 1 what do the schools have to gain by asking for a "final decision" before May 1? Or asking you to verbally accept a scholarship offer before May 1? You can change your mind and just back out later.. in fact you can send the deposit... get into another school off the waitlist after May 1 and then simply forfeit the deposit... right?</p>
<p>I understand that the schools are trying to make sure that they get the desired yield, and most students once they make a non-refundable deposit will most likely stay at the school where they have made the deposit unless they get into their dream school... but I don't understand the positive on the school side for the refundable deposit before May 1.</p>
<p>The other thing that is unusual is that this "spring weekend" is only for those who have accepted a spot (meaning they have to accept by April 10). OTHER colleges have an accepted student event or open house in April for ALL who have been offered admissions to HELP THEM DECIDE WHETHER TO MATRICULATE or in SOME cases, they may have already decided but just wish to attend the event. But they do NOT HAVE TO DECLARE their intentions to matriculate in order to attend the accepted student events. In fact, MANY students attend such events (not talking now of ELON) who do not end up matriculating. </p>
<p>With my older daughter, she had visited all of her schools in junior year. Then when she had all her acceptances in hand in April of senior year, she chose three of her accepted schools that she was still considering and we went back for accepted student events to help her decide where to attend. Indeed, it was ON these visits that she made her decision. The events helped in that way. </p>
<p>My second child, the BFA in MT one, decided where to matriculate as soon a she had her acceptances because she had a first choice in mind and it came through. She still went to the accepted student event (again, open to all accepted students with no commitment to enroll) just to get excited about the whole thing (and in her case, was accepted in the hospital to the school and her first day out of a hospital bed was the day she traveled to the college for the event so it was extra special in that way).</p>
<p>So, this deposit thing and the spring weekend being only for those who have commited to enroll (albeit they can back out by May 1) is a bit unusual, that is all.</p>
<pre><code> I am so touched by all of you. You're so sweet. D's still hoping and praying, but I think WMonTDad is probably accurate in his assessment of the situation. The chances of coming off that list are very, very small. On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to pray. Stranger things have happened!
As I've said before, Elon would be great, but as long as she's studying BFA MT, she's going to be very happy where ever she lands. I just feel sorry for the folks at Elon if they don't get her! D is talented, focused, passionate, coachable, dependable, caring, and truly a "bright light."
As I've said before, we're are looking for a good "fit". Aside from Elon and Ithaca, we thought Drake was the best place for our D to grow and I have no doubt that she'll be quite happy there.
I'll keep you posted on the out come of this continuing drama!!
</code></pre>
<p>P.S. D was on the fence about auditioning at Drake. Even though my mom and sisters kept telling her that it was a great school, she thought it was too far away & that there were many more well known schools out here. When my mom died, we had to cancel a couple of her auditions and Drake allowed her to audition privately. They were really wonderful to us. It's almost as if she's meant to go there.</p>
<p>Sarahsmom.....you know, it very well was meant to be. Things happen in strange ways. I'm sure your D will be happy there and also there is more than one place a kid can be happy. You got good vibes. If she goes to Drake, you'll have to stay on CC and fill us in about the program since we really haven't had anyone on CC go there and that is how the word spreads and people can be given an inside view.</p>
<p>You know how your D almost didn't even audition at Drake? I had a client this year and I thought a certain school was an excellent fit for her and she was NOT going to apply. At the last minute, after the holidays, she decided to apply. She eventually visited, and really liked it. Then she went to audition and she loved it. Then she got in and decided to enroll immediately before ever hearing from her other schools because she liked it that much...a school she was not going to apply to that I really kept encouraging her to consider. As it turned out, she did not get into her original favorites (though this school she likes much better than her others by evidence of deciding to enroll before her results came out!) and had she not applied to this school that I kept not giving up on encouraging, she would not have had a MT program to attend. So, ya know, it is funny how things work out.</p>
<p>You are so right & I will let you know about Drake. My niece got her degree in acting from Drake four years ago and is out in LA working. She loved it and says that she would not hesititate to recommend it. For us, it's all about the fit and the fit is all about knowing who you/your child is.</p>
<p>Sarahsmom, I could not agree with you more that it is all about fit when it comes to college selection. Unfortunately, there are some who get caught up in the name of the school, the prestige, etc. and which school is "better" but the one that is best is the one that meets what you want in a school and where you also have a chance of being admitted. The match/fit factor is the most important. It is highly individual.</p>
<p>Also, I didn't realize you had a niece who had attended Drake for theater and so you have that inside view to also evaluate and learn more about the school for your daughter. That's really good to hear.</p>
<p>Just a side note about the Elon Weekend. I think some might be under the impression that it is just another open house, but for Freshmen. It is in fact a type of orientation for those that have committed financially. When we were there we did meet a few people that were on the fence still about their final decisions and were trying to get one last feel for the school. Not only is it a good final visit, but they actually do a placement test as well as get their ID picture taken. For those Freshmen that don't attend, I imagine they would have to squeeze these things in on move in weekend? That makes it hard to schedule a language class if you haven't had the placement test. Personally, I like the way they do it down south!</p>
<p>It is interesting how different schools do it. Both of my kids' schools, as well as several of the other ones they were admitted to......hold open house events for admitted students in April. There is no commitment to enroll or deposit for the freshmen year to attend FIRST. Anyone admitted may attend. The event helps many students decide where to matriculate and they may attend more than one accepted student event at more than one college.</p>
<p>They ALSO have a freshmen orientation for those who enroll. This takes place for a full week right before school starts. Any placements tests, for example, are during the freshmen orientation.</p>
<p>I don't mean this as better but merely pointing out the different ways it is done at various colleges.</p>
<p>Sarahsmom, Congrats on your D. decision. From the time you posted about your experince at Drake, I could feel the warm and fuzzies so to speak coming out of your post. I know your D. will have just as much success there, as if she were to attend Hartt or BOCO. I'm sure we will all be looking forward to updates on how your D. is doing. Thats quite the trip from MA. to Iowa, but it seems the right one for her.</p>
<p>I don't know much about the Elon decision discussion above, which may be different this year than last year. My son turned in a refundable deposit in January and attended the College Fellows interview weekend, which substituted for the spring orientation weekend.</p>
<p>My word of advice - if you are CONSIDERING Elon - even if decision is not final - get that deposit in ASAP. Housing assignments are based upon when that deposit is received. </p>
<p>As others have noted, it is refundable up until May 1.</p>
<p>Melsmom, upon further direct contact, I did find out that the deposit (which is refundable by May 1) is only if you intend to attend the spring weekend event, like you said last night, but not necessary with the letter of intent to enroll. Deposit or no deposit, the notification of intent to enroll in the BFA is due today, April 10. The deposit now, however, allows one to register for classes and also get housing in order of the deposits being received, as Ericsmom mentions above. </p>
<p>This is quite different than at many other schools, which require intent to enroll by May 1 (including deposits) and that is the National Reply Date, allow all accepted students to attend accepted student events in April, hold freshmen orientation at some point past May 1 (either during summer or right before school starts in fall), and where housing deposits are not due until some date that is after May 1 and the order of the deposits have no bearing on housing assignments. As you can see, all schools do this differently. My own kids' schools did it the latter way.</p>
<p>But in any case, I really wish schools would give students until May 1 to submit their intentions to enroll as is the policy of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling. Having to notify of intent to take a BFA offer as early as April 10 before many admitted student open house events are even held and so soon after some schools notify (mailed April 1) goes against that. However, thankfully, Elon allows a student to get a refund before May 1. I just have not heard of it being done this way at colleges and am not sure the reasoning given the National Reply Date. But I guess it all works out in the end! </p>
<p>I am glad that you guys are letting people know the advantage of the deposit now at Elon as far as housing and class registration and so forth. Thank you, as always, for giving first hand accounts. I value those contributions. That is what makes CC so great :D.</p>