<p>It depends on the deposit. Some schools have a HOUSING deposit. That IS used to secure your oncampus housing. I know many folks who sent in multiple housing deposits to secure housing just in case. Some schools just don't have enough room for all their students! Where DS goes to college that is the only deposit there is. Students commit to the university by May 1, just like everywhere else (unless ED) by sending in the materials for acceptance (in the admissions packet). For DS that was a separate issue from the housing deposit. At his particular school the housing deposits are done AFTER May 1.</p>
<p>Have you ever heard a freshman getting preferred housing?</p>
<p>My D received housing info for a large state university- before she was even accepted! The materials indicated that she would be guaranteed housing only if the form were returned with deposit by the end of March. We don't feel quite ready to send this in now, as this was not a top choice school, but if it affects the probability of receiving preferred dorm options, maybe we should rethink...
Interesting timing, now that I think of it. Most schools will inform students of their admissions decisions by April 1, but this money needs to be in by March 31 :)</p>
<p>A lot depends on what rules the colleges follow; however, many that give admissions decisions this early or earlier follow the rule that you can accept and then withdraw by May 1 and get your deposit back. They also do not have a rule in that circumstance that prevents you from accepting elsewhere.</p>
<p>Also, depending on the college, accepting early may have a major impact on housing despite what someone said above. The example given above about Auburn is absolutely true. Auburn awards housing in order housing app is received and gives you housing app only after you accept admission -- and it starts admitting freshman the July before their senior year in high school even starts because it bases admission only on grades through junior year and test score. At Auburn, which does not have enough housing for all incoming freshman, the difference between getting your housing app in early and late does mean the difference in getting any on-campus housing at all.</p>
<p>You should check what the rules are about sending multiple deposits for each school, and what the obligations are. In general, you lose the deposits, and it would not make sense to send the deposit to a school where the housing is uniform for freshman. For some schools like GW, CMU, NYU, it is highly recommended to send in the deposit ASAP or your frosh may live in a hotel for a while, in outer siberia, or stacked like logs in a quad room. If it is just a room deposit you are sending, that is one thing, but if you are also sending in some statement of commitment, do read it carefully. For some schools when you commit to attend, they reserve the right to dump you if they find out you have signed elsewhere as well. CMU is that way but I don't know where they have that statement, for the room deposit or elsewhere. Though I have never heard of anyone whose acceptance was rescinded that way, if it is clearly stated that it is a consequence of signing a commitment, you need to be aware of that possibility, and weigh your risks. The world of academia is a lot smaller than many people think, and I see so many instances of coincidences and serendipity. You don't want to be the example they use when they decide to crack down on this practice. Other than that, it is the money you lose. Yes, colleges hate it when you do this and it does clog up the works as far as room assignments go, but unless there is a commitment statement, it is not against any of the rules. And there are also some schools where there is not enough housing, and that could be an issue if you want your student on campus.</p>
<p>If the deposits are refundable, then it's probably fine to send in multiples (otherwise, why would they allow refunds?).</p>
<p>For some schools, preferred housing is determined by the amount you pay, i.e., living in a residence halls with private bathrooms costs more than living in a res. hall with communal bathrooms. In that case, you may need to read the fine print b/c sending the deposit later may result in lack of space in those high-demand residences.</p>