<p>Send a deposit in one place, or multiple places if you have to. Do not wait.</p>
<p>Some schools will accept a late payment, but not all will. If a college gets too many matriculants that year, and they've freaking about dorm space and chemistry lab sections.... well, one of its safety valves, should it choose to use it, is to say "NO" to anyone whose deposit wasn't postmarked by May 1. You could find out you can't get a place after all.</p>