Is putting down multiple deposits risky!

[PsyDconfused]

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Hello.

I was recently accepted to multiple PsyD programs and because of my personal family situation, I am not sure that I can commit to one school by the April 15th deadline. Some schools wrote on their admissions offer that if they find out that you're putting down multiple deposits, they will revoke your acceptance.

I'm not sure if I'm being paranoid, but has this happened to anyone? Or do schools use this as an empty threat? I'm nervous that schools talk to each other, and report which students put down deposits. I obviously do not want to loose my acceptances.

Please help ASAP!!!!!

 

[PrisonPsych]

I'm pretty sure you're actually in violation of APA guidelines if you accept at more than one program. You need to commit to one and turn down the other offers ASAP, because right now you're tying up spots that could go to someone else.

 

[erg923]

I concur, you're tying up multiple spots. Thats really not fair to the other applicants OR to the program. However, I didn't realize a deposit was required by program. Is that common place now days?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Going to agree with the others--by doing this, you're holding up spots that could potentially go to other applicants, while also dragging the process out for the sites themselves. The April 15th deadline exists for just this reason. If you aren't sure if you can commit by that deadline, then I'd suggest choosing to which program you'd like to matriculate and contacting them regarding your concerns. Should the family situation prohibit you from committing until significantly after the established deadline, then it's possible that it simply might not be in your best interests to begin your training in the coming cycle.

 

[busybusybusy]

I concur, you're tying up multiple spots. Thats really not fair to the other applicants OR to the program. However, I didn't realize a deposit was required by program. Is that common place now days?

Deposits are pretty commonplace with programs when they aren't funded. Not so much AFAIK with funded programs.

I have to agree with everyone else that accepting a position at two seperate schools is unethical and really unfair to others, remember someone won't get accepted to a program because of that. However, that being said, don't feel bad that you're holding a spot until the April 15th deadline, that's what the deadline is there for.

 

[lifesanillusion]

I was recently accepted to multiple PsyD programs and because of my personal family situation, I am not sure that I can commit to one school by the April 15th deadline.

It seems to me that the issue here is your ability to make a decision by the deadline. Can you narrow down which schools you are deciding between? If so, then I think it makes sense to call your POI (or the chair of the admissions committee) to let them know of your difficulties in making a decision. Try to work it out with the individual programs. I don't think it is a great idea to try to 'hold' multiple slots, either from the position of fairness to other applicants, your own ethical responsibilities or in terms of the financial risk to you. Many programs will also allow you to defer an offer of acceptance if your life situation changes so that you are unable to attend in the fall as planned. Best wishes!