there are deadlines, and each school is different. its a deadline in the sense that you owe them money by a certain date in order to reserve your slot. many schools set a time frame after you interview, like 30 days, or two months, or something to that effect. you have until the end of that time to give them anywhere between 50 and 2500 dollars to secure your spot at that school. you could still renig on the school, but you'd be out all that money...