<p>I know a lot of public universities overenroll. However, with the lack of jobs in all areas, wouldn't it make more sense for high-school graduates to go to college? It seems like that would use the same logic that during recessions, many college graduates go on to grad school.</p>
<p>Young man that we know deposited at 4 excellent private LAC's in New England. I was appalled - it was not for financial reasons it was simply that he "just couldn't make up his mind and he liked them all". I think of the students who were sadly turned away or waitlisted and went through the agony of waiting....and he waited till August to decide. To me that is just selfish.</p>
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HS Guidance counselors work for the students not the colleges. They need to do what is in the best interest of the student
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<p>Sending out duplicate transcripts can get a bit tricky because, at least in theory, students caught committing to more than one college after May 1 run the risk of getting both offers of admission rescinded. Thus, the guidance counselor may not be acting in the student's best interest by going along with the double-deposit plan ... at least without warning of possible consequences.</p>
<p>Frankly, I think it's rare that colleges act on this threat. For starters, most double-depositers aren't found out. And those who are can usually wheedle (or grovel) their way out of jeopardy ... and sometimes with good reason. Deposit policies aren't always clear ... especially to those who haven't spent a gazillion hours on College Confidential. In some instances, the double deposit seemed to be the only sane option. Students in financial-aid or housing limbo may feel left with little choice.</p>
<p>The double-dippers who irk me are the ones who say, "Charlie just hasn't decided yet if he wants to be in North Carolina or New Jersey. He'll make up his mind when he gets back from the beach." ;)</p>
<p>But do keep in mind that even colleges without wait lists still have to make enrollment-management decisions that can affect other students. Often these are the schools with late (or no) application deadlines or those with multiple-term admission (i.e., fall, winter, spring ... ), such as most of the UC's.</p>
<p>As in many situations in life, there are gray areas that cloud the deposit issue. Yet most of us know in our hearts whether we're making our decisions responsibly or not, regardless of what the "rules" may say.</p>
<p>I know someone who double deposited at two schools. To this day, she has barely decided and vacillates between them on a near daily basis. Isn't the month from May-June enough? It's quite cruel to take another's place who actually wants to be there.</p>
<p>I think it's ridiculous that students double-deposit because they "cannot make up their minds." However, I empathize with the student stuck on a waitlist. No student in his/her right mind would pursue the June waitlist without making a deposit at one school beforehand.</p>
<p>Here's a little twist: my twin sons are STILL getting offers of admit, even as late as July 1st, with revised, attractive, FA packages, at their safety schools. </p>
<p>As I recall, Sacred Heart U in CT, not exactly Harvard, has a $1000 non-refundable deposit, with a jump to $1500 for those who decide after January 1st. I found that incredible!</p>
<p>Instead of double depositing, could one defer at one school and deposit at another? If the first school doesnt work out, go to the second after the first year? or 6 months even?</p>
<p>I think I misunderstood the initial question. We did not double deposit or in any way imply double commitment AFTER May 1st. When we signed up for housing at more than one school, we did that very early -- soon after rolling admissions. That was the whole point -- to be in on the housing early in case she decided that's where she wanted to go. But she knew her final choice way before May 1st -- sometime at the end of March -- and we requested our refunds, made our only non-refundable deposit, and that was that.</p>
<p>To quote Cool Hand Luke, "What we have here is a failure to COMMUNICATE!"</p>
<p>Its a process that has been wacko for years. Early Admission, Early Decision, Scholarship games, Financial Aid games, SAT games, application games, deposit games, housing games, and the ubiquitous indecisive or flaky kid.</p>
<p>It could all be resolved with a National Clearing House. But neither the colleges, the parents or the students seem to want that. So the games continue.</p>
<p>The Economy is having a HUGE impact on people because home equity loans are drying up, home values are PLUMMETING and there are tens of thousands of foreclosures. Meanwhile the rich get richer. </p>
<p>It will all sort out, but its not pretty, that is for sure.</p>
<p>I generally STRONGLY frown on the deceitful practice of double depositing. In essence its a LIE. If you can't decide on which college to attend, then its really an indication of immaturity and perhaps some narcissism going on. </p>
<p>Of course, if the financial aid package is not completed by the school, that is perhaps a narrow exception to the rule. </p>
<p>Finally, the colleges are finally starting to realize their incredulous increases in tuition the past 5-8 years are catching up with them. The quality of education has not changed ONE IOTA, the dorms are the same size, the food is the same, and the classrooms are the same. Salaries for professors have not risen that much. HEALTH CARE COSTS have risen (who is pocketing THAT money? Another thread perhaps).</p>
<p>Meanwhile the chase is never ending for the "prestige college." </p>
<p>The one benefit of all of this is that the second and third tier schools may benefit with really smart kids coming their way because of better aid packages.</p>
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I think I misunderstood the initial question. We did not double deposit or in any way imply double commitment AFTER May 1st
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<p>dbwes makes a good point. There is a difference between submitting a deposit to a college and signing a commitment to attend. In some cases, the college is asking for *both<a href="typically%20after%20May%201">/i</a>. But, in other instances, soliciting a deposit (which may be refundable) is just a college's way of asking, "Are you at all serious about this school?"</p>
<p>Not too many years ago, colleges rarely asked for a deposit from anyone except students who fully intended to matriculate, and those deposits were rarely refundable. But, nowadays, many online applications are so easy to complete-- especially to colleges that students consider "safeties"--and some college reps hand out instant applications during school visits and fairs. So students may end up "applying" to colleges that they scarcely remember the next morning. Thus, those who submit a refundable deposit may not be saying, "Yes, I plan to enroll here," but merely, "Yes, you're somewhere on my short list ... even if it's not all that short."</p>
<p>Prep. school our twins graduated from in May has a rule they will only send one transcript per student to that student's final choice. Our kids had 8 acceptances to excellent liberal arts colleges and we were in the process of appealing merit $ when we "bumped up" against the magic May 1 deposit date. Kids ended up making decision to attend a university where there merit $ were the lowest. I am interested to know how many universities, LAC's will experience a student drain now that the economy is clearly not performing as many had hoped. Many, if not most, of the upper-middle class families we know essentially directed their students to in-state schools where "Hope Scholarships" are available. I can find no one who believes there is a truly discernible difference between a flagship state university and a top tier LAC for >43K per year.</p>
<p>With FL Bright Futures Scholarship (100% tuition for almost all) & a pre-paid plan , most students stay in-state, even upper income ones.</p>