letter of intent expiration?

[Skichic56]

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Let's say you send a letter of intent now to your first choice school, but you're not immediately accepted (ie before may 15). You would love to attend this school, but you obviously will attend your second choice if you don't get in. So you put a hefty ($1000+), nonrefundable (after a certain date) deposit down for your second choice, but are then accepted at your first choice after that date. Question is, are you still obligated to attend your first choice if they accept you in say late July/August/day before classes, or is it understood at this point that finances/already having housing/etc negates your original decision? Please no flames or questioning of my ethics, I'm just trying to be realistic here and guessing some people would experience the same.

 

[newhavenjake]

your deposit is refundable until May 15.

You do bring up a good point. I suppose if you don't get accepted to your first choice until after that date, you just have to eat the cost of the deposit, which is usually 200 or 500, not a grand.

 

[BigRedPingpong]

just withdraw pre acceptance
and your LOI is out the window

 

[Haybrant]

very interesting question; i would go ahead and write another letter saying i will wait until the last day and still attend your school 100% but right now i have no choice but to save a seat at this other school. At least it's your second choice and not your 15th or somethin....

 

[Skichic56]

very interesting question; i would go ahead and write another letter saying i will wait until the last day and still attend your school 100% but right now i have no choice but to save a seat at this other school. At least it's your second choice and not your 15th or somethin....

I understand what you're saying, but my point is I can't afford to attend my first choice if they offer it to me after July 1 (also depending on when I have to submit a deposit for a lease). A $100 deposit is nonrefundable prior to May 1 (but I don't care about losing this); however, a second deposit of $900 at this school is due June 1 and not refundable after July 1(!). I would love to attend my first choice, but not at that great an expense (the cost of living in this city is also very high). My main question is whethere it is fair/reasonable to state this school is my first choice, with the understanding that this financially is not possible after the summer. I think it's fair if I send this letter next week; that gives the adcoms at least 5 more months to make a decision.