<p>Okay, so I have applied to a few schools, but for the sake of the case I will use two:</p>
<p>I have applied to a state school, which gives results in February.
I have applied to Duke, which gives results later down the line.</p>
<p>Say I get into the state school and want to accept early so I can start planning and getting priority on things, but then I get into Duke. Am I locked out of accepting the offer? Or would I simply accept Duke's offer and ignore the state school one (and forget about the deposit)?</p>
<p>I think it should be okay for you to accept the offer at the state school… usually the state school acceptances are non-binding (at least that’s how it was for Ohio State). If you get into Duke and decide to go there, then just write a letter to your state school admissions office telling them you are not coming. People often accept at a school and then go elsewhere (i.e. those who get off the waitlist at another school, for example).</p>
<p>it would be OK to change your mind after accepting an offer. However, you should inform the first school (as a courtesy if not required) as soon as you are sure that you will not be matriculating so that another might have the chance.</p>