What if I choose not to matriculate?

<p>I know, I know---- I should have been more sure on 5/1/07. My check was sent in, and I accepted admission, Honors, and smallish merit scholarship. What if I choose not to go to UNC for whatever reason: take a year off? Go to another school?
Do I just lose the money, or could I potentially have a little bit of a legal battle? I'm kicking myself for having doubts, so go ahead and kick me some if anyone wants to as well.
I accepted another school as well. I just couldn't decide.</p>

<p>I kind of rationalize that people who are wait-listed somewhere, would need to submit their enrollment deposit on 5/1/07--but then if they get in where they want to go, then the forfeit the $.
I'm not in a waitlist situation. I just couldn't make up my mind.</p>

<p>I believe you forfeit your deposit. YOu would need to write the admissions director to rescind your acceptance and state a reason....try to not burn bridges there....my D had last minute second thoughts and that is normal. In the end, she decided to go with her choice of UNC. No college is perfect, despite what some say, so wherever you go, just realize there will be times of frustration, loneliness, regret but there will be more times of fun, learning, new experiences and friends. Your attitude will prepare you for wherever you go.</p>

<p>You would lose your deposit only.
If you are registered for classes, then there are different requirements.
If you show up and accept a key to the dorm room, there are obligations beyond the deposit for housing.</p>

<p>Try to relax. Take some time out to think about where you want to be in 5 years.....I know these decisions are difficult.</p>

<p>Did you double deposit (accept an offer of admissions and submit an enrollment deposit at more than one school)? This is a no-no. I think there are threads here on double-depositing if you do a forum search.</p>

<p>You should contact asap one school or the other and advise them you are not attending. You will likely lose your enrollment deposit at that school. I think you 'technically' could have legal issues, though I haven't heard of any college pushing that issue. But it really is not appreciated when students double deposit. Worst consequence I have heard is schools comparing notes, realizing a double deposit has happened and both schools rescinding.</p>

<p>Regarding doubts, I agree with Atlmom, it is SO normal to be apprehensive. But you will be fine...and you'll love UNC if you decide to go there. :)</p>

<p>Yes, I did double deposit. Now I'm scared as hell. Please help me with links Idmom06?? I'm really scared</p>

<p>I don't think I'm going to UNC though. What should I do. My case is even a little more complicated than you think. On 5/2/07 I panicked about not accepting UNC. I wrote them about a death in the family, and my confusion and emotion. They were very kind and still offered me all. I FedEx'd my stuff to them yesterday. They'll receive the check before 12 noon today. I thought the only danger would be losing the deposit $.
Please someone advise me</p>

<p>It is decision making time. If you do not intend to enroll at UNC, I would recommend that you get on the phone NOW (before your deposit is received and accepted), advise UNC that you will not be enrolling and ask that you check be returned. Apologize for any inconvenience. If they understood you situation yesterday, surely it will be understood today. You might actually avoid futher repercussions. The longer you wait, the greater your risk for unfortunate results.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>powderpuff - sent you a p.m. (actually two ... :) ) I think you'll be fine if you contact whichever school you plan to decline in a timely manner (asap) and just be very honest with them about your indecision and your plans for the future. UNC, in particular, has the nicest people working there. Not every school is so kind though. (Hope you won't be declining UNC though!! ;) )</p>

<p>For any other students reading this thread. Don't DD. It just leads to a lot of unnecessary angst. And some schools can be hardcore about it.</p>

<p>powderpuff: As others have said, to second-guess your decisions-- and experience a lot of indecision-- seems to be a given with college apps. UNC is a great school, and sounds like they've been very understanding. </p>

<p>So, you thought you wanted to go there yesterday-- enough to FedEx your check, etc to them; now, less than 24 hours later, you've decided against it. Are you absolutely sure? If not, maybe you can sit down and make a list and try to rationally determine your options/opinions regarding both schools. If, on the other hand, you're absolutely sure you don't want to attend, I would contact them--sooner, rather than later. Can you tell us what changed your mind?</p>

<p>Yes, don't worry about it, but you should call them. You may (or may not) lose your deposit, but I don't think they'll do anything else. You don't have to (and shouldn't) tell them you did the DD. Take care of that, then you can donate your tarheels gear to other hs classmates heading there! Good luck!</p>

<p>powderpuff: Again, if you're absolutely sure, then do call them. If you have the time this morning, though, you might also want to sit down with a school counselor, or a teacher you respect and who knows you well, to talk about your options. Sometimes, when you feel paralyzed by indecision, sitting down and talking it out with someone else--someone who can be objective--really does help clarify things.</p>

<p>I think whichever college you decline is going to figure out you double deposited just by the fact that you are contacting them after 5/1. I would not be dishonest on this front...it will only make matters worse. They may well ask you what your plans are and you must be prepared to answer the question. The decision will be whether you will answer with the truth or a lie.</p>

<p>I'm not trying to be preachy, but I think it's a good idea for young people to start embracing the idea of total honesty now. Sometimes, there are uncomfortable consequences for total honesty, but at least you keep your self-respect intact. (And you'll never end up being one of 34 'almost 30-somethings' expelled from or disciplined by an elite, $50k a year MBA program for honor code violations. ;) Btw...it wasn't UNC Kenan with THAT little problem, just another university down the road....)</p>

<p>If you want to defer a year and go the next, and just want to not go and re-apply to other schools, those are two totally different things. In the former, they'll probably hold over all your rewards when you come next year; in the latter, just eat your deposit and nothing else will happen. It's a "deposit" because people still choose to attend other schools after the deadline (how do you think it works for those who get in off the waitlist?)</p>

<p>elpope - 'depositing while on a waitlist' is NOT double-depositing...the two should not be confused. </p>

<p>Double depositing is accepting an offer of admissions from two or more universities and holding a space with an enrollment deposit. It is viewed as dishonest by college admissions offices and some colleges actually have legal language in their enrollment forms that require you to attest to the fact you are only accepting an offer of admissions at one university. It is grounds for rescindment at many universities.</p>

<p>Receiving a position on a waitlist is not the same thing as receiving an offer of admission. Accepting a position on a waitlist is not the same thing as accepting an offer of admission.</p>

<p>Some choose not to take DD seriously...but I guarantee you those are students and parents who don't want to accept the fact that what they are doing is wrong. Colleges, especially highly selective colleges with competitive admissions, do take DD seriously.</p>

<p>Also, I believe many universities have to approve a gap year plan. Taking a gap year is usually a formal process and retaining scholarships is something that must be negotiated and also formalized.</p>

<p>Thank you everyone for your advice. I did exactly what was recommended. I e-mailed the important players, and also called the admissions office personally. I expressed my indecision, and that I did not want them to process my enrollment form that they just received this morning. They were so very kind, and classy. The check has already been processed, but I really don't care about the $. The nice lady even said that if the check hadn't been processed, then they would refund the $. I'm a very honest person, I just didn't know it was a "no-no". But I can see that it is and wanted to rectify the situation as quickly as possible, and I strongly believe that I have.
I really did have a very tough time with the decision. Very tough. But, I want to do the right thing.</p>

<p>Good for you powderpuff! I always maintain if you go into something with an honest heart and truthfulness, you will get a good reaction. Clearly they saw you were not trying to be deceptive and you had no bad intentions. (I still hope it wasn't UNC who got that phone call though...;) )</p>

<p>Good luck to you...so glad it is worked out.</p>

<p>Good advice from everyone. Yes, colleges do not like double deposits and many will revoke your acceptance if they catch you. Calling one school and notifying them was the correct decision. As much as they "like you enough to admit you" (congrats!), they are not wedded to you. The reality of being one of thousands will set in soon enough. So they simply appreciate being told, particularly if you self disclose and do it early, and they thank you and move along to the next person, or off of the wait list if they are doing that this year.</p>

<p>There is nothing wrong with indecision and with being unsure, or torn between two (school) lovers. That is very normal. And if you handle yourself well, it will all work out for the best. Lots of kids transfer after one year. Some of them to move up the ladder of prestige, some of them because they are unhappy and cant adjust to the environment or culture at particular school, or want more. Some kids leave Ivy League Schools (though not many, I know) because they want less stress and more balance in their lives.</p>

<p>Picking a college is sort of a crap shoot because you dont know until you get there. But knowing yourself well is the first order of business.</p>

<p>Carolina is an excellent school. It is a beautiful campus with some very prestigious programs. But.....its not for everyone. Its big, its bureaucratic at times and it just may not be a good fit for you. Some people prefer small and intimate schools, or going out of state (if you are a native tarheel). Some want more adventure, like going to a big city somewhere. Some want specialized schools like Oberlin for music etc. </p>

<p>Whatever you decided, know yourself and then be content and self confident in your decision (but never arrogant ...as some posters on CC have tended to be. I saw one kid who was arrogantly upset about not getting into Harvard (wait listed) but who got into Duke. I mean, come on boy....get a grip and be happy you got into Duke!) And where ever you go, work hard, play hard and keep your right hand up at all times (be honest). And if you defer and take a gap year, for whatever reason, that is okay too!</p>

<p>I was in the military before college and its the best decision I ever made in my life (after picking my college and getting married, of course). It gave me time to experience a real dose of reality, get focused, and grow up a whole bunch. It worked wonders. I did extremely well in school as a result.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>