Most of the BS contracts I have read (although it’s only a handful) allow bailing out by mid/early July with losing only(!) the deposit. Thus, I assume mainstream boarding schools have the same or similar contract languages. I also think the tuition insurance costing ~$1500 (if purchased) will cover 75% tuition if enrolled but withdrawn the first day leaving a 25% tuition liability.
I think ending up owing the entire year of tuition is a very very rare case.
One of our preschools wanted the entire year of tuition when the entire class of children decided to pull out in summer. The preschool owner promptly hired a collection agency. But that was one crazy owner (the reason for pulling out.) We hired an attorney/litigator and had a letter sent (costing everyone $300 - times 10 families) The collection was promptly removed as there was no legal path for the owner to come after us.
Short answer: only if (1) the contract says no “outs” after x date (contracts I have seen have a deposit date and a later full tuition trigger date) and it is past that date AND (2) the school can’t fill the spot, do you have potential liability for the full amount. Even if there is a breach of contract, the party not at fault still must mitigate their damages by attempting to fill the spot. And, if they do fill the spot, they can’t double-dip. Standard damage model is to offset with any savings. Finally, even if the school can’t fill the spot there is the matter of bad PR. It would make them look a bit desperate and, perhaps, make future applicant parents wary of putting down deposits there. So, it’s a potential risk, but certainly not likely.
On a slightly different note, FYI, Choate’s tuition increase was 2.44% for boarders (2.5% for Day students), the “Lowest recorded tuition increase in our records, which go back more than 30 years.” This % increase reflects eliminating the Health Fee. Amazing in that the local DS my DD was accepted to went up 7%, with NO capital improvement. Also amazing in that they have undertaken many capital improvements, including the breaking ground on the new St. John Student Activity Center, due to open for the 2017-18 school year. “Of their 40 peer schools, only seven schools had lower tuition and Choate.” 
Of course, discussing “Low tuition” in the BS world is a complete oxymoron.
What is a typical annual tuition increase percentage for BS/DS?
While our son was there, Choate’s annual increase was about 4%. Nice that they’ve been able to decrease it, @itcannotbetrue.
Our day school is 5-7% annually. In the ten years since we’ve been there, our tuition has nearly doubled.
I think the required insurance policies at our DD school have a close that states something like child has to attend school for 2 weeks at least in order to become eligible for any refunds via insurance so insurance would not cover a scenario where a child never sets foot on campus.
Hi guys,
I have just been waitlisted at Emma Willard. They said I am on their ‘selective waitlist’, but I am an international student applying as a repeat junior and needing over $40,000 in aid. Should I expect anything?
Hi - I just posted a little about wait lists in the “free advice” thread. Most schools will have a better idea about whether or not they will go to their waitlists closer to April when decisions and deposits are due. They need to see how many accepted students enroll to determine what spaces if any are available as well as what FA is available. It is ok to contact a school and ask about your individual chances but it is probably wiser to wait a week or two as they likely just don’t know that information yet.
Has anyone been accepted to a school through the waitlist?
@ab0101 Every year some kids are accepted off of waitlists (and some schools never go to their waitlists at all). The number per school can be as few as 1 or as many as 10 - it varies a lot and isn’t that predictable. But keep in mind, all those kids on the decision thread who were accepted at multiple schools can only attend 1 school in the end so spots may open up - schools will have a better idea whether or not they will be going to their waitlists in early April. Be sure to keep in touch with the schools that you really want to attend and let them know you are still interested in a spot.
@chemmchimney Thanks for the advice! I was accepted into two schools out of the eight I applied to… and was waitlisted at the rest. I kinda figured that waitlisted was a euphemism for rejected nowadays, but I now see that schools do still send rejections.
Having been waitlisted, what is the proper way to go about it? Should we send a letter and when? Thanks. I don’t really have any hope given my state, but I guess if I send in a really heartfelt letter I’ll have more calm of my own mind.
Has anyone on this board actually come off a waitlist? Anyone, Bueller, Anyone ?
@laenen there have been a couple or so over the last 3 years I have been on the board. Obviously, not all applicants are on CC nor do all report their change in status. But ultimately, the good advice seems to be to assume you will not get off the list, so proceed with other plans. If, at the very last minute you get an offer, then decide what you want to do at that time. For the most popular schools, I think the waitlist is extensive and it does not clear in chronological or alphabetical order. This factor makes it more difficult to predict since you won’t know what the school “needs” for the next student (male/female, geographical area, sport/art, etc.).
Yes, but very few. One notable example on these boards took 3 years of applying before finally getting off a WL. At this point, if you have other options, pursue them.
@skieurope the quote is a little off, no?
Re Wait lists: Some schools lists rarely move. They have few applicants who decline and often they will get more yes’ than they project so they never even go to the list. I heard somewhere that Exeter is trying to lower their numbers a bit. Not sure if that is true. However, many, many schools lists move a great deal. The size of the school and the ratio of boarding to day are also complex factors. Be realistic about your wait list. Select a school with opportunity for the list to move and really pitch them. RE contact any faculty and coaches and communicate your desire to attend.
@laenen Ooops. Thanks for catching; I’ve fixed.