Choosing a school

[Meadows22]

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I have applied to 10 schools for this current cycle. I am guessing that I will hear from the two schools I applied to that does rolling admissions first. So say one of them accepts me (neither of them require interviews), how long do I have to make a decision? I would obviously like to see if I get into any of the other schools but I know I have a limited time frame to make a decision. I don't know if I should immediately accept the first school that makes me an offer or wait it out to hear from the other schools. Is anyone in this same situation? Also if I accepted an offer and paid the fee to hold my spot, would other schools not give me a chance to interview because I'm already committed to another school?


P.S. This waiting game sucks!

 

[Kuhdaytee]

I'm applying this cycle too, so I will also have to go through the rolling admissions process. From what I understand, each school that offers admissions gives you a few weeks to send them a deposit so that way you secure a place in their class. The time period depends on the school, and so does the deposit amount (I've seen between $500-$1000 on here). You should definitely have a deposit down somewhere, and you can always try to get a refund if you get into another school that you like more.

 

[02143]

In my experience, schools give you between 2 and 3 weeks to either commit or turn down the offer. Putting down a deposit somewhere shouldn't hurt your chances anywhere else - its kinda expected that you're going to commit to more than one school... that's why there are waiting lists. I applied 2 cycles ago and ended up putting down a total of 4 deposits (luckily, the most expensive one was $500 and that was for the school I currently attend).

Another little side note... the waiting game is only beginning! Enjoy life and don't be anxious about applications because depending on the school, you may not know until next February, March, or even April where you'll be attending.

 

[Meadows22]

In my experience, schools give you between 2 and 3 weeks to either commit or turn down the offer. Putting down a deposit somewhere shouldn't hurt your chances anywhere else - its kinda expected that you're going to commit to more than one school... that's why there are waiting lists. I applied 2 cycles ago and ended up putting down a total of 4 deposits (luckily, the most expensive one was $500 and that was for the school I currently attend).

Another little side note... the waiting game is only beginning! Enjoy life and don't be anxious about applications because depending on the school, you may not know until next February, March, or even April where you'll be attending.

 

[Meadows22]

Sorry I submitted that last post too soon. Thanks for the information. Are deposits refundable?

 

[02143]

Most (if not all) deposits are not refundable. None of mine were, personally.

 

[Watson27]

If you have a short window of time to put down a deposit, I would do it. It's better to lose $500 than pass a school up only to find out you didn't get in anywhere else.

There have been rumors of schools not offering interviews or admission because they know that an applicant already put down a deposit on another school... but PTCAS doesn't release this information until the spring. And they only tell schools that accepted you where else you have been accepted. So they have to offer you admission and then wait until the spring to know anything. But after the application cycle closes, I think all schools get all the info about their applicants.

Here's what I have to say about putting down deposits (mainly relating to etiquette and cost):
- If you hear back from two schools in the same window of time, don't put down two deposits because you can't decide. Choose which one you would rather go to and then wait to hear back from others.
- If you have put down a deposit but decide not to go to that school, tell them immediately so they can open the spot to someone on the wait list. I've heard horror stories of people waiting until two weeks before classes start to let the program know!
- If you haven't already, make a final ranking of your choices and stick to it! Only put down a deposit on a school that ranks higher than others that have offered you admission.

Obviously, these are my personal rules for not being a crappy person that holds a spot at a school I don't really want to go to. But overall, I do not think it is horrible to put down multiple deposits. It's kind of the name of the game if you are applying to schools in August-October but your first choice is in January.

Good luck! I hate that the decision process can take so long.