Holding your spot vs. Losing it all

[beaverteeth]

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There are some older topics along these lines but I wanted to get some more up to date information.

If you get accepted to DS on Dec. 1st but its not your #1 pick and you hold your spot with a deposit can the other schools that you are still waiting to hear from see that you have been accepted and reserved your slot??

If they can does it affect their decision? I would think it would.

 

[doc3232]

I don't think schools contact each other.
I think in May, schools find out where you are holding deposits and they kick you off the accepted list.

So you should contact all schools by then to tell them to take you off their list. You can put down as many deposits as you want but remember some deposits are in the thousands.

 

[icedspice]

I don't think schools communicate with each other in that manner. They have enough to worry about anyways.
I know Texas medical schools have a matching system where if the applicant and school's preferences match, they are offered an acceptance/admitted. But I have not heard of a similar system for all dental schools in the U.S

At least I would hope not. Currently my situation is: waiting for a Texas school to offer me an invite (which they might at the end of January) while paying a deposit at an OOS school. Texas schools are known for having dirt cheap tuition -- I would hope I don't lose that just because they see me put down money to secure my future. It is not because I don't want to go to a Texas school.

 

[beaverteeth]

This would be my concern. Not getting accepted to my ISS because i paid a deposit at an OSS.

 

[KitKat09]

You are talking about putting a deposit to school you have been accepted on Dec 1 and waiting to get interview/ final decision/re-review/ off waitlist from other school- it is perfectly acceptable. Many people put their deposit in and then stay on one or several waitlists for example. There have been cases when people were on their way to their new school orientation programs when they received calls they were taken off waitlist....
what is not acceptable is to put multiple deposits and keep them going... then by May schools have possibility of action and could rescind the acceptance.

 

[doc3232]

I think it is rare to get an acceptance off the waitlist after May.

If you are rich, then put down as many deposits as you want and then pick your top choice by May.

 

[FutureDent020]

I think it is rare to get an acceptance off the waitlist after May.

If you are rich, then put down as many deposits as you want and then pick your top choice by May.

Gross, completely unethical, and pointless (hopefully you were being sarcastic) After all your interviews you should know your top choice. Keep one deposit on your favorite school you have been accepted to and wait to hear from others. Like Kitkat said.

 

[Blarelli]

Gross, completely unethical, and pointless (hopefully you were being sarcastic) After all your interviews you should know your top choice. Keep one deposit on your favorite school you have been accepted to and wait to hear from others. Like Kitkat said.

How exactly is holding more than one seat unethical?

 

[FutureDent020]

Cause it's a seat another student is waiting in line for. You can't attend multiple schools, so what the point of holding more than one seat? Now explain to me the point of holding more than one seat... And because you're not sure where you want to go is a bad answer. That takes no more than 2 days to a week of thinking to decide. Run the numbers, evaluate your options, talk to your family, bam, put your deposit down. An extra two months of thinking will accomplish nothing, except allow for procrastination.

Give me your worst

 

[punkin85]

How exactly is holding more than one seat unethical?

If you know where you want to go and that you'll go there in the end-don't hold seats somewhere else. Think of all of the other applicants waiting every day to hear for an acceptance...and all this time you know you're not going to attend and someone else could have that spot.

I don't have anything against holding a few seats for a while-but by MAY??? Really?? I hope you can make a decision before then. Maybe hold just one seat if you're waiting to hear from a specific school you'd rather attend. But holding more than one just to avoid making the decision isn't right (in my opinion).

 

[Tommy43087]

I think it is rare to get an acceptance off the waitlist after May.

If you are rich, then put down as many deposits as you want and then pick your top choice by May.

👎

Cause it's a seat another student is waiting in line for. You can't attend multiple schools, so what the point of holding more than one seat? Now explain to me the point of holding more than one seat... And because you're not sure where you want to go is a bad answer. That takes no more than 2 days to a week of thinking to decide. Run the numbers, evaluate your options, talk to your family, bam, put your deposit down. An extra two months of thinking will accomplish nothing, except allow for procrastination.

Give me your worst

👍

If you know where you want to go and that you'll go there in the end-don't hold seats somewhere else. Think of all of the other applicants waiting every day to hear for an acceptance...and all this time you know you're not going to attend and someone else could have that spot.

I don't have anything against holding a few seats for a while-but by MAY??? Really?? I hope you can make a decision before then. Maybe hold just one seat if you're waiting to hear from a specific school you'd rather attend. But holding more than one just to avoid making the decision isn't right (in my opinion).

👍

 

[Blarelli]

Cause it's a seat another student is waiting in line for. You can't attend multiple schools, so what the point of holding more than one seat? Now explain to me the point of holding more than one seat... And because you're not sure where you want to go is a bad answer. That takes no more than 2 days to a week of thinking to decide. Run the numbers, evaluate your options, talk to your family, bam, put your deposit down. An extra two months of thinking will accomplish nothing, except allow for procrastination.

Give me your worst

I won't argue that it is pointless, or that it sucks for whoever is waiting on those seats opening up. However, those who get multiple acceptances did whatever it took to be the better applicants, and as the better applicant holding more than one seat is their prerogative. It has nothing to do with ethics.

 

[timwatley]

It takes away seats from other applicants. Just put a deposit down at the first school that accepts you. If another school accepts you that's cheaper, or better for you, put a deposit down there and notify the other school.

 

[Tommy43087]

I won't argue that it is pointless, or that it sucks for whoever is waiting on those seats opening up. However, those who get multiple acceptances did whatever it took to be the better applicants, and as the better applicant holding more than one seat is their prerogative. It has nothing to do with ethics.

It is ethical.....its selfish and down right stupid to do that. You screw over so many people that are dreaming of being able to have that spot, whether they end up getting it later or not. I think your thought process is ethically flawed in this argument my friend...

 

[FutureDent020]

I won't argue that it is pointless, or that it sucks for whoever is waiting on those seats opening up. However, those who get multiple acceptances did whatever it took to be the better applicants, and as the better applicant holding more than one seat is their prerogative. It has nothing to do with ethics.

Ah, I see you are nitpicking at my statement now. You don't think it questions your character a bit if you hold multiple seats just because you can and are to busy basking in your glory to make a decision??

 

[FutureDent020]

It is ethical.....its selfish and down right stupid to do that. You screw over so many people that are dreaming of being able to have that spot, whether they end up getting it later or not. I think your thought process is ethically flawed in this argument my friend...

Myyy maaan. I like the support.

 

[timwatley]

Call it what you may...It's dirty. The people that put multiple deposits down most likely have little consideration for others. Hanging onto a couple for a little bit is fine, but until May?

 

[yuppers]

Just put a deposit down at the first school that accepts you. If another school accepts you that's cheaper, or better for you, put a deposit down there and notify the other school.

What happens if your top school is the 3rd or 4th school that contacts you? FYI, you do not get refunds on deposits.

Just make up your mind for your final choice by the 45 day deadline unless you know what your top choice is already. Then send in the deposit, notify the other schools, and start celebrating the fact that you are in the class of 2014 ______ School of Dentistry.

 

[FutureDent020]

What happens if your top school is the 3rd or 4th school that contacts you? FYI, you do not get refunds on deposits.

Just make up your mind for your final choice by the 45 day deadline (shouldn't take that long though) unless you know what your top choice is already in which case do it immediately. Then send in the deposit, notify the other schools, and start celebrating the fact that you are in the class of 2014 ______ School of Dentistry.

I mean that works too. We're just saying don't hold multiple seats for a long time

 

[doc3232]

To those that said my post was unethical and "stupid"
First of all, I don't think there is a single correct argument against what I said and I will explain anything that I need to.

How is it stupid to hold multiple seats when you are not sure of which you want to go to? Obviously, no on is stupid enough to hold a deposit at a school to which they will 100% not go to because they are already accepted to one that is higher on their list (no matter how wealthy).
I didn't think I would have to explain this. I thought it was implied and pretty obvious.

Also, the person that has that many acceptances has been given the ability to take their time and make the correct decision. They worked hard to get these acceptances and schools really want these applicants. Those on the waitlist at these schools will just have to suffer the waiting game a bit longer but these seats do get filled. Everyone wins.

 

[Tommy43087]

To those that said my post was unethical and "stupid"
First of all, I don't think there is a single correct argument against what I said and I will explain anything that I need to.

How is it stupid to hold multiple seats when you are not sure of which you want to go to? Obviously, no on is stupid enough to hold a deposit at a school to which they will 100% not go to because they are already accepted to one that is higher on their list (no matter how wealthy).
I didn't think I would have to explain this. I thought it was implied and pretty obvious.

Also, the person that has that many acceptances has been given the ability to take their time and make the correct decision. They worked hard to get these acceptances and schools really want these applicants. Those on the waitlist at these schools will just have to suffer the waiting game a bit longer but these seats do get filled. Everyone wins.

I dont get it 45 days isnt long enough?

 

[doc3232]

I dont get it 45 days isnt long enough?

If dental schools didn't want students to have multiple deposits then they would have made the deposit a lot more than a few hundred.

I am just saying that accepted applicants are given this choice by schools. They aren't doing anything wrong.

 

[FutureDent020]

To those that said my post was unethical and "stupid"
First of all, I don't think there is a single correct argument against what I said and I will explain anything that I need to.

How is it stupid to hold multiple seats when you are not sure of which you want to go to? Obviously, no on is stupid enough to hold a deposit at a school to which they will 100% not go to because they are already accepted to one that is higher on their list (no matter how wealthy).
I didn't think I would have to explain this. I thought it was implied and pretty obvious.

Also, the person that has that many acceptances has been given the ability to take their time and make the correct decision. They worked hard to get these acceptances and schools really want these applicants. Those on the waitlist at these schools will just have to suffer the waiting game a bit longer but these seats do get filled. Everyone wins.

First off, we're not a bunch of little children who you need to explain things to. It's very clear what your post states, we just disagree. Second, why does it take so long to make a decision? Like my previous post said, you run the numbers, talk it over with your family, evaluate your possibilities, put a deposit down. If you already have a deposit, notify the school, withdraw, and you are left with only holding one seat. It shouldn't take longer than two weeks. Applicants are and should be thinking about what schools they ideally want to attend, especially post-interview.

 

[Tommy43087]

If dental schools didn't want students to have multiple deposits then they would have made the deposit a lot more than a few hundred.

I am just saying that accepted applicants are given this choice by schools. They aren't doing anything wrong.

Every school i have asked/been to was ALOT more than a few hundred....If schools knew you put multiple deposits down, i cant see how it wouldnt be frowned upon. I believe its wrong, you dont.

I guess we just have to agree to disagree...

 

[doc3232]

First off, we're not a bunch of little children who you need to explain things to. It's very clear what your post states, we just disagree. Second, why does it take so long to make a decision? Like my previous post said, you run the numbers, talk it over with your family, evaluate your possibilities, put a deposit down. If you already have a deposit, notify the school, withdraw, and you are left with only holding one seat. It shouldn't take longer than two weeks. Applicants are and should be thinking about what schools they ideally want to attend, especially post-interview.

Every school i have asked/been to was ALOT more than a few hundred....If schools knew you put multiple deposits down, i cant see how it wouldnt be frowned upon. I believe its wrong, you dont.

I guess we just have to agree to disagree...

I don't think we are disagreeing. I am just saying that I don't think schools would frown upon this. They have the power to make their deposit several thousand dollars (or more) so that people will rarely deposit at multiple schools.

 

[cmcner]

I won't argue that it is pointless, or that it sucks for whoever is waiting on those seats opening up. However, those who get multiple acceptances did whatever it took to be the better applicants, and as the better applicant holding more than one seat is their prerogative. It has nothing to do with ethics.

So if I have two-ten sandwiches that I made myself for lunch and I'm sitting next to a starving person who has no sandwich I should throw out the other sandwiches because I decided to only eat one and the other guy didn't plan well enough. Nice.

 

[doc3232]

So if I have two-ten sandwiches that I made myself for lunch and I'm sitting next to a starving person who has no sandwich I should throw out the other sandwiches because I decided to only eat one and the other guy didn't plan well enough. Nice.

That person isn't starving...just waiting. And that person is going to get a sandwich eventually.

 

[icedspice]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=582883&highlight=give+up+spots,+waitlist

this thread reminded me of ^^^ thread from last year. If you see, a lot of the responses were towards the other side of the argument (let people have the amount of time they need to decide)

I know for me, I am going to avoid paying the thousands in deposit fees (1000 for Case and Nova and 1500 for NYU, if I am not wrong). However, I will be going out of the country next semester. So, I am thinking I might need the extra time because I would need to come back and consider living situations. Yes, I saw the place when I interviewed -- but I would like to go and evaluate the apartments/living conditions in more detail well before I accept.

That being said, I agree on not paying deposits to 10 schools. haha, thats just bad money management.

 

[icedspice]

oh cmcner, according to your analogy... couldn't you also say that the person who made the sandwich deserves that extra time because HE put in the effort of MAKING the sandwich (aka "making good grades, dat scores..hence giving him multiple invites") instead of being short changed because the guy who didnt make a sandwich (aka "not having stellar grades, submitting late...hence not hearing back on dec 1st") wants to hear back soon.

The schools allot 45 days for Dec offers, 30 days from Jan offers, and 15 for Feb. I would hope that people are willing to allow the multiple invite applicants to take the stated allotted time.

 

[Tommy43087]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=582883&highlight=give+up+spots,+waitlist

this thread reminded me of ^^^ thread from last year. If you see, a lot of the responses were towards the other side of the argument (let people have the amount of time they need to decide)

I know for me, I am going to avoid paying the thousands in deposit fees (1000 for Case and Nova and 1500 for NYU, if I am not wrong). However, I will be going out of the country next semester. So, I am thinking I might need the extra time because I would need to come back and consider living situations. Yes, I saw the place when I interviewed -- but I would like to go and evaluate the apartments/living conditions in more detail well before I accept.

That being said, I agree on not paying deposits to 10 schools. haha, thats just bad money management.

Yea i think they were saying more along the lines of waiting longer because the OP of that thread asked that Q on dec 1st......

 

[Tommy43087]

oh cmcner, according to your analogy... couldn't you also say that the person who made the sandwich deserves that extra time because HE put in the effort of MAKING the sandwich (aka "making good grades, dat scores..hence giving him multiple invites") instead of being short changed because the guy who didnt make a sandwich (aka "not having stellar grades, submitting late...hence not hearing back on dec 1st") wants to hear back soon.

The schools allot 45 days for Dec offers, 30 days from Jan offers, and 15 for Feb. I would hope that people are willing to allow the multiple invite applicants to take the stated allotted time.

Taking that time frame to decide is more than perfectly fine, but putting multiple deposits down because your indecisive is just selfish..IMO

 

[doc3232]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=582883&highlight=give+up+spots,+waitlist

this thread reminded me of ^^^ thread from last year. If you see, a lot of the responses were towards the other side of the argument (let people have the amount of time they need to decide)

I know for me, I am going to avoid paying the thousands in deposit fees (1000 for Case and Nova and 1500 for NYU, if I am not wrong). However, I will be going out of the country next semester. So, I am thinking I might need the extra time because I would need to come back and consider living situations. Yes, I saw the place when I interviewed -- but I would like to go and evaluate the apartments/living conditions in more detail well before I accept.

That being said, I agree on not paying deposits to 10 schools. haha, thats just bad money management.

oh cmcner, according to your analogy... couldn't you also say that the person who made the sandwich deserves that extra time because HE put in the effort of MAKING the sandwich (aka "making good grades, dat scores..hence giving him multiple invites") instead of being short changed because the guy who didnt make a sandwich (aka "not having stellar grades, submitting late...hence not hearing back on dec 1st") wants to hear back soon.

The schools allot 45 days for Dec offers, 30 days from Jan offers, and 15 for Feb. I would hope that people are willing to allow the multiple invite applicants to take the stated allotted time.

Taking that time frame to decide is more than perfectly fine, but putting multiple deposits down because your indecisive is just selfish..IMO

👍👍 Exactly.

 

[icedspice]

Yea i think they were saying more along the lines of waiting longer because the OP of that thread asked that Q on dec 1st......

And we are also technically bringing up the topic... now.

I mean no matter when... this idea of giving up spots is going to be an issue.

I think both sides of the issue are correct --- if you have multiple acceptances, sure...look over your choices.
And to the ones who didnt get anything -- think about this: you are a smart person... so are the others. They are not going to hold on to something JUST Because. Once they have evaluated their situation, they WILL give it up. They have no intention of harming anyone or making anyone's life miserable.

 

[icedspice]

Taking that time frame to decide is more than perfectly fine, but putting multiple deposits down because your indecisive is just selfish..IMO

OH! I see the difference. I get it =D
I thought people wanted it sooner than that time frame as well. my bad!

 

[DelToro06]

That person isn't starving...just waiting. And that person is going to get a sandwich eventually.

muahahaha...that might be the funniest thing I've seen all day.

 

[DelToro06]

muahahaha...that might be the funniest thing I've seen all day.

I hope i get a sandwich soon...b/c i've been patiently waiting and if i wait any longer you might as well call it starvation.

 

[Gbrando2]

Ok let's play out a little scenario:

My name is Hercules and I really really want to attend UCSF because my dad, grandpa, and great grandpa all went there and it has been my lifelong dream. Plus, my mother is in SF and I want to stay close to her to take care of her, as she has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Oh and my dad died on 9/11 in an airplane. And I'm their only child. So I have 2 interviews and they're both pre December: 1 at UCSF and 1 at Columbia, which is my last choice. I submitted fees and AADSAS on June 1 and I have a 3.9 GPA and 21 AA. Come December 1st, I don't hear a thing and both schools waitlist me. January 16th, Columbia gives me an offer, which I have 30 days to respond to, and UCSF tells me that I am high on the list and offers are being made as they become available.
Now, you had 8 pre-December interviews at schools all over the country, and come December 1, you get 5 acceptances. All 5 schools give you 45 days, but after the full 45 days, you haven't made up your mind yet so you submit deposits (each $1000) to 3 schools, including UCSF(which you don't really think you liked very much, but you don't want to risk losing that spot and your freedom of choice).
So come mid-February, I have run out of time to wait for UCSF and since I have to get in this cycle and cannot afford more than 1 deposit due to my mother's medical bills, I am forced to commit to Columbia. Now she will be by herself as I move across the country to go to dental school, and who knows how I will have time or money to visit her.
Meanwhile, on May 1, your schools find out that you have commited to all 3 of them, and they all rescind their offers. Now that a spot has opened up at UCSF, they offer me a spot. Of course, having already paid Columbia a grand, being buried under debt, and already having made a housing deposit and made other arangements for Columbia, I am forced to decline. I move away to Columbia, my mom dies suddenly and lonely, I am grief-stricken and drop out of school, and me and you wind up as co-workers at Kinkos for the next 16 years.

Thanks a lot.

(I know it's ridiculous, but you get my point. Don't be selfish. You have had months to weigh each school, just make a decision. And yes, schools find out on May 1 which schools you have deposits at and they WILL rescind offers. I have been warned about this "traffic rule" at 3 of my interviews)

 

[Tommy43087]

Ok let's play out a little scenario:

My name is Hercules and I really really want to attend UCSF because my dad, grandpa, and great grandpa all went there and it has been my lifelong dream. Plus, my mother is in SF and I want to stay close to her to take care of her, as she has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Oh and my dad died on 9/11 in an airplane. And I'm their only child. So I have 2 interviews and they're both pre December: 1 at UCSF and 1 at Columbia, which is my last choice. I submitted fees and AADSAS on June 1 and I have a 3.9 GPA and 21 AA. Come December 1st, I don't hear a thing and both schools waitlist me. January 16th, Columbia gives me an offer, which I have 30 days to respond to, and UCSF tells me that I am high on the list and offers are being made as they become available.
Now, you had 8 pre-December interviews at schools all over the country, and come December 1, you get 5 acceptances. All 5 schools give you 45 days, but after the full 45 days, you haven't made up your mind yet so you submit deposits (each $1000) to 3 schools, including UCSF(which you don't really think you liked very much, but you don't want to risk losing that spot and your freedom of choice).
So come mid-February, I have run out of time to wait for UCSF and since I have to get in this cycle and cannot afford more than 1 deposit due to my mother's medical bills, I am forced to commit to Columbia. Now she will be by herself as I move across the country to go to dental school, and who knows how I will have time or money to visit her.
Meanwhile, on May 1, your schools find out that you have commited to all 3 of them, and they all rescind their offers. Now that a spot has opened up at UCSF, they offer me a spot. Of course, having already paid Columbia a grand, being buried under debt, and already having made a housing deposit and made other arangements for Columbia, I am forced to decline. I move away to Columbia, my mom dies suddenly and lonely, I am grief-stricken and drop out of school, and me and you wind up as co-workers at Kinkos for 16 the next years.

Thanks a lot.

(I know it's ridiculous, but you get my point. Don't be selfish. You have had months to weigh each school, just make a decision. And yes, schools find out on May 1 which schools you have deposits at and they WILL rescind offers. I have been warned about this "traffic rule" at 3 of my interviews)

WOW great way to get the point across!! 👍👍👍

 

[Blarelli]

It is ethical.....its selfish and down right stupid to do that. You screw over so many people that are dreaming of being able to have that spot, whether they end up getting it later or not. I think your thought process is ethically flawed in this argument my friend...

I honestly don't see how you can call holding an extra seat while making your decision selfish. You have no idea what is holding up anybodies decision, and are just jumping to the conclusion that they are doing it to screw with other people.

Ah, I see you are nitpicking at my statement now. You don't think it questions your character a bit if you hold multiple seats just because you can and are to busy basking in your glory to make a decision??

Again, you have no idea if somebody is holding an extra seat so they can 'bask' in the glory of making a decision. There are many legitimate reasons to hold an extra seat, and just assuming and labeling anybody doing this as an unethical douchebag is just in bad taste.

 

[FutureDent020]

I honestly don't see how you can call holding an extra seat while making your decision selfish. You have no idea what is holding up anybodies decision, and are just jumping to the conclusion that they are doing it to screw with other people.



Again, you have no idea if somebody is holding an extra seat so they can 'bask' in the glory of making a decision. There are many legitimate reasons to hold an extra seat, and just assuming and labeling anybody doing this as an unethical douchebag is just in bad taste.

Haha, whoa Blarelli, I never called anyone a douchebag. And you keep harping on my wording. Yes, I said unethical, but I also made other points and used other words to get my point across. I've already explained why I think it's unnecessary. You on the other hand have merely said 'there are plenty of reasons to hold an extra seat'. Other posters have mentioned why, but I would love to hear your reasons. And just because you can, is a bad answer.
And I asked you this; "don't you think it questions your character a bit if you hold multiple seats just because you can" and don't feel rushed to make a decision, even though someone else is waiting for the spot?
Your answer: "Again, you have no idea if somebody is holding an extra seat so they can 'bask' in the glory of making a decision".
You're responses are just as presumptuous as ours. You think people are holding multiple spots b/c of personal reasons and their inability at the moment to make a decision. I think it's because they know they don't have to make a decision right away and they would feel better with a couple deposits.
It's fine, we see the situation differently. I hope we are both in a situation where we can put multiple deposits down, but I know I will only put down one.

 

[beaverteeth]

I was not trying to start a debate on ethics or keeping someone else from getting into dental school.

I simply wanted to know if it was ok for me to hold a spot at ONE OSS while waiting to hear from my ISS. Assuming that I get in at an OSS.

And if the ISS would know if I did hold a spot for an OSS.

Sorry if I was not clear in my first post

 

[Gucci Row]

Do what you want and what you are willing to pay for. It's not your job to worry about the school itself or about others waiting for a spot at that school. You paid hella money for this and if that one elusive school is what you WANT then don't let anyone discourage you from doing what it takes to get it.

 

[Smiles1]

I think it's because they know they don't have to make a decision right away and they would feel better with a couple deposits.

Totally Agree!!!
And I want my sandwich!!! , Please think of others and don't hold on to your extra sandwich for too long.

 

[Gbrando2]

Do what you want and what you are willing to pay for. It's not your job to worry about the school itself or about others waiting for a spot at that school. You paid hella money for this and if that one elusive school is what you WANT then don't let anyone discourage you from doing what it takes to get it.

There's no problem with waiting for one school. If you don't get accepted to your 1st choice, make a deposit at the next best choice that offers a spot to you. If your 1st choice accepts you later, withdraw from the other school ASAP and make your deposit at your 1st choice. Simple as that, I don't see why you would need to hold multiple spots for months and months.

 

[yeodent]

Agreed. I've also been told that if you're waiting to hear from your top choice school and you've already been accepted elsewhere:

You can fax your top choice school the acceptance letter. By letting your top choice school know that 1. They're your top choice & 2. That you're in elsewhere - that school will likely expedite the process of making a decision on your app.

Maybe they'll get a decision to you before your 45 days are up, and thus not clog up other schools' seats with false deposits.

 

[Blarelli]

Haha, whoa Blarelli, I never called anyone a douchebag. And you keep harping on my wording. Yes, I said unethical, but I also made other points and used other words to get my point across. I've already explained why I think it's unnecessary. You on the other hand have merely said 'there are plenty of reasons to hold an extra seat'. Other posters have mentioned why, but I would love to hear your reasons. And just because you can, is a bad answer.
And I asked you this; "don't you think it questions your character a bit if you hold multiple seats just because you can" and don't feel rushed to make a decision, even though someone else is waiting for the spot?
Your answer: "Again, you have no idea if somebody is holding an extra seat so they can 'bask' in the glory of making a decision".
You're responses are just as presumptuous as ours. You think people are holding multiple spots b/c of personal reasons and their inability at the moment to make a decision. I think it's because they know they don't have to make a decision right away and they would feel better with a couple deposits.
It's fine, we see the situation differently. I hope we are both in a situation where we can put multiple deposits down, but I know I will only put down one.

Ok, I will explain why I think it is sometimes necessary. A friend of mine had two offers last year. His wife began looking for employment in both of those cities. She received a firm offer in March, and so until March he held both of those seats. Was that a dirtbag move on his part because somebody else out there wanted that other seat he was holding? No, he was doing what was best for his family.
As you asked before, I wouldn't question the character of somebody holding multiple spots because they could. I would question their intelligence at waisting so much on extra deposits. But it is their money to blow, and it is their time and effort that placed them in such a situation. They earned it, and for me that is what it boils down to. They are playing by the rules laid out by the different schools, so again, I don't question their character or ethics.
All that being said, I don't see myself putting down more than one deposit.

 

[FutureDent020]

Ok, I will explain why I think it is sometimes necessary. A friend of mine had two offers last year. His wife began looking for employment in both of those cities. She received a firm offer in March, and so until March he held both of those seats. Was that a dirtbag move on his part because somebody else out there wanted that other seat he was holding? No, he was doing what was best for his family.
As you asked before, I wouldn't question the character of somebody holding multiple spots because they could. I would question their intelligence at waisting so much on extra deposits. But it is their money to blow, and it is their time and effort that placed them in such a situation. They earned it, and for me that is what it boils down to. They are playing by the rules laid out by the different schools, so again, I don't question their character or ethics.
All that being said, I don't see myself putting down more than one deposit.

Fair enough. We will leave it at that. And I agree with what your friend did. If I was in his situation I would have done the same thing.

 

[FutureDent020]

Agreed. I've also been told that if you're waiting to hear from your top choice school and you've already been accepted elsewhere:

You can fax your top choice school the acceptance letter. By letting your top choice school know that 1. They're your top choice & 2. That you're in elsewhere - that school will likely expedite the process of making a decision on your app.

Maybe they'll get a decision to you before your 45 days are up, and thus not clog up other schools' seats with false deposits.

Very sneaky Mr. Deeds

 

[Zubnaya Feya]

I dont get it 45 days isnt long enough?

Dude, you don't understand. There are SO MANY different scenarios of why people hold spots at different schools. The undecisiveness is probably one of the rarest reasons.

 

[Zubnaya Feya]

Ok let's play out a little scenario:

My name is Hercules and I really really want to attend UCSF because my dad, grandpa, and great grandpa all went there and it has been my lifelong dream. Plus, my mother is in SF and I want to stay close to her to take care of her, as she has recently been diagnosed with cancer. Oh and my dad died on 9/11 in an airplane. And I'm their only child. So I have 2 interviews and they're both pre December: 1 at UCSF and 1 at Columbia, which is my last choice. I submitted fees and AADSAS on June 1 and I have a 3.9 GPA and 21 AA. Come December 1st, I don't hear a thing and both schools waitlist me. January 16th, Columbia gives me an offer, which I have 30 days to respond to, and UCSF tells me that I am high on the list and offers are being made as they become available.
Now, you had 8 pre-December interviews at schools all over the country, and come December 1, you get 5 acceptances. All 5 schools give you 45 days, but after the full 45 days, you haven't made up your mind yet so you submit deposits (each $1000) to 3 schools, including UCSF(which you don't really think you liked very much, but you don't want to risk losing that spot and your freedom of choice).
So come mid-February, I have run out of time to wait for UCSF and since I have to get in this cycle and cannot afford more than 1 deposit due to my mother's medical bills, I am forced to commit to Columbia. Now she will be by herself as I move across the country to go to dental school, and who knows how I will have time or money to visit her.
Meanwhile, on May 1, your schools find out that you have commited to all 3 of them, and they all rescind their offers. Now that a spot has opened up at UCSF, they offer me a spot. Of course, having already paid Columbia a grand, being buried under debt, and already having made a housing deposit and made other arangements for Columbia, I am forced to decline. I move away to Columbia, my mom dies suddenly and lonely, I am grief-stricken and drop out of school, and me and you wind up as co-workers at Kinkos for the next 16 years.

Thanks a lot.

(I know it's ridiculous, but you get my point. Don't be selfish. You have had months to weigh each school, just make a decision. And yes, schools find out on May 1 which schools you have deposits at and they WILL rescind offers. I have been warned about this "traffic rule" at 3 of my interviews)

This is a very sad story, but it's life. And you gotta get used to the fact that life will treat you like ****. What if my wife is applying to d schools. Our first choice is UCSF. I got accepted, I put down deposit. She got waitlisted there and puts down deposit at some other random school (or several, depending on other factors, assuming I don't get in all those other ones). Then we wait wait wait and she gets accepted to UCSF in April. YAY! The family is not separated! What if we have a baby? What if our relatives (with cancer) are in SF and it is better for us to go there? You will say it is unethical for her to hold deposits at multiple schools?

How about that??


For all those who say putting deposits at several schools is lame - you gotta think outside the box (outside the assumption that those people just cannot decide). It is just so much more complicated.
Besides, after all of the above, I have no problem with people putting multiple deposits at multiple schools just because they cannot decide. It is their choice! They deserved it, they don't know who are other applicants and thinking like "ooh.. there is probably that 2.0 14aa dude waiting for acceptance... oh, I am not gonna put deposit at ____ school" is just stupid. They got acceptance, they can do whatever they want with it.