Duke Binding Seat Deposit Forum

[oreomilkshake]

I was very excited to get my acceptance packet from Duke but noticed in their letter that the $500 seat deposit requires you to withdraw applications at all other law schools.

I'm already signed up to take the LSAT again in June and had been planning to deposit at two or three schools and continue negotiating scholarships through the summer with a higher LSAT score.

Is there a way around this binding seat deposit? Or should I just stop studying and assume I'll have to make a decision in April with whatever I have? At this point Duke is my top choice but I'm still waiting to hear back from several schools.

[lymenheimer]

I asked about this. The answer was that you were allowed to ride the waitlist at other schools, but were supposed to honor the agreement to withdraw other applications/offers of admission. The reason being that Duke has a commitment to its applicants on the waitlist, to get them a decision promptly rather than having one applicant hog numerous spots and scholarship offers at numerous schools. The date is likely flexible if you speak with the fin aid office, especially if you are receiving offers/decisions close to the deposit deadline. It does make it difficult as far as scholarship discussions if you have not heard anything by the deposit date, but many (I daresay most) schools will have decided upon your scholarship offer by April.

As far as taking the June LSAT, it may be best to sit out the cycle if you want to increase your potential scholarship. You can take it, and see if Duke will bump up your scholarship. If not, you can reapply next cycle and start fresh. It's probably not the answer you want to hear, though.

[oreomilkshake]

Thank you! I really appreciate the information