Quick question -- when I pay the enrollment deposit through the Common App, does this mean I’m 100% committed to that college, or can I change my mind if another acceptance comes through? I'm just trying to understand how this step works in the whole process.
Greetings! Paying the enrollment deposit through the Common App is indeed a significant step towards committing to a college, but it’s typically not considered legally binding. However, it does signify your intent to enroll, and colleges expect you to honor this commitment.
Should you receive an offer from another institution later on, for example after being accepted off the waiting list, and decide to accept it instead, ethical practice involves informing the first college as soon as possible that you are rescinding your enrollment. Be aware that enrollment deposits are usually non-refundable, so changing your mind might mean losing that money.
Additionally, accepting a spot and paying deposits at multiple institutions can potentially result in rescinded offers if it's discovered that you did so without 1) having a good reason and 2) informing the school you originally committed to, as it is against the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices.
To summarize, always approach the step of making your enrollment deposit thoughtfully, as it indeed represents a genuine pledge to the institution of your choice. Best of luck with your college decision!
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