<p>Let's say that you have been wait-listed for a college you really wanted to go to. Now, you have to pick a college by May 1st. But, the wait-listed college replies later in May or maybe in June.</p>
<p>Can you accept an admission elsewhere, get accepted to the wait-listed college, and then decline the previous acceptance of admission?</p>
<p>(I mean, worst case scenario is you waiting for the wait-list college and finding out you are not accepted. Then all of your acceptances are useless!)</p>
<p>Thank you! :)</p>
<p>Yes, you must pick a college by May 1. What is your second choice? Be sure to pick one that you would be very happy attending. If you get off the wait list you then notify the college you had replied to and cancel your admittance. You will loose the deposit but this is just the way it is done. In some cases you must choose housing, send in that deposit, etc. Some people may not get off a wait list until July. If you don’t reply to any college by May 1 and then do not get off the wait list you will not be going to college (except for local junior college) next fall.</p>
<p>Thank you. So, in summary, I will only loose my deposit. I think that’s fair. Thank you for your insight!</p>
<p>(Also, the wait-listed college was Georgia Tech and the others were Purdue, Maryland, Michigan, etc. I am hoping for Maryland though!)</p>
<p>“If you don’t reply to any college by May 1 and then do not get off the wait list you will not be going to college (except for local junior college) next fall.”</p>
<p>Many colleges are open to applications even in the summer months before the semester of application.</p>
<p>The simplified answer:
You need to place a deposit somewhere by May 1.
Every college knows that waitlists exist and that there will be some “shifting.” They know they will lose some people this way, and they’re okay with it. You will lose your deposit.
What IS frowned upon is making deposits at more than one school at the same time. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>