Seat deposit question Forum

[newyorker88]

So I got my apps out around the end of december and early january. I got my first acceptance last week and the school wants to know my decision by April 15. April 15 seems very early to me as I'm not expecting to hear back from most of the school I applied to until mid march. Is this the norm, having to respond by april? also are seat deposits binding? Could I give seat deposits to two schools? And are seat deposits negotiable? Could I get the school to give me a later date to have to respond by? Thanks!

[JordynAsh]

To my knowledge seat deposits are not negotiable, and if you end up getting off a WL you're going to have to eat any seat deposit you previously put down at another school.

[newyorker88]

thanks! and does anyone know if april is the general seat deposit deadline for most schools?

[MBZags]

thanks! and does anyone know if april is the general seat deposit deadline for most schools?

Yes, it is.

[haylie]

yup. I was recently accepted and my seat deposit is that exact same date.

[vanwinkle]

thanks! and does anyone know if april is the general seat deposit deadline for most schools?

I believe the ABA requires that schools give you until April 1 at least. Some schools are more generous and give you until April 15 or later, but a lot are April 1.

There's also a lot of variation in how much the seat deposits are, though $400 to $500 seems typical. I saw one school that had no seat deposit and simply wanted a written commitment to attend by April 15. However almost every school is going to want that deposit.

There's also typically a second deposit due in June or July. If you ride a WL past then and then take an offer from another school, you'll lose both seat deposits in that case. That's just the way the system works; you're paying for the right to attend at that point, and even if you don't you were still paying for that right.

[BenJ]

You can't get a refund on seat deposits, but they are not binding. You can make a deposit at one school and then attend another--you'll just have to eat the lost seat deposit.

[newyorker88]

You can't get a refund on seat deposits, but they are not binding. You can make a deposit at one school and then attend another--you'll just have to eat the lost seat deposit.

This is somewhat comforting. Might have to spend some extra dough but I won't be stuck anywhere.

[BenJ]

You can't get a refund on seat deposits, but they are not binding. You can make a deposit at one school and then attend another--you'll just have to eat the lost seat deposit.

This is somewhat comforting. Might have to spend some extra dough but I won't be stuck anywhere.

Also, while it's always polite to tell schools that accepted or waitlisted you that you're no longer interested, this is especially true of schools where you make a deposit. So, if you end up making a deposit somewhere and then get off the waitlist at a school you'd rather attend, be sure to tell the school you deposited at that you will not be attending. If nothing else, it might get someone else in off the waitlist at that school a little faster and with a little less anxiety!

[booboo]

You can't get a refund on seat deposits, but they are not binding. You can make a deposit at one school and then attend another--you'll just have to eat the lost seat deposit.

This is somewhat comforting. Might have to spend some extra dough but I won't be stuck anywhere.

Also, while it's always polite to tell schools that accepted or waitlisted you that you're no longer interested, this is especially true of schools where you make a deposit. So, if you end up making a deposit somewhere and then get off the waitlist at a school you'd rather attend, be sure to tell the school you deposited at that you will not be attending. If nothing else, it might get someone else in off the waitlist at that school a little faster and with a little less anxiety!

Aww, BenJ, such a caring TLS'er.

[lawman335]

yup one of my friend also got the same date..........