College & Careers

Private university wants a non-refundable deposit by the 30th. The college she wants counsels in July

apricot_kite_2846

results are out and they're good. the place she really wants fills through counselling in july. meanwhile a private university has offered her a seat and wants a big deposit by the 30th, non refundable, adjusted against fees only if she joins so we either pay for a backup we hope not to use, or we gamble on july. i've taught undergraduates for thirty years and this part of the system i understand least ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ what did you do

6 comments

  • mellow_rain_9072

    We are three years away from this, so I have no experience to offer. One question that may help: is the July seat through the same counselling her rank already qualifies for, or is it uncertain? If her rank comfortably fits last year's closing, the gamble looks smaller.

  • cinnamon_sandal_9058

    The way I'd look at it: the deposit buys certainty for two months. If July falls through, would she take this seat anyway? If yes, you're mostly paying early, not losing money. If she wouldn't go there even as a fallback, the deposit isn't a backup at all.

  • mint_pebble_8280

    a cousin did the same. lost the deposit, got the july seat, no regrets. depends on the amount i suppose

  • linen_paper_3028

    Have you asked them for the refund terms in writing? Sometimes 'non-refundable' has a partial refund till a certain date.

  • rose_gecko_2084

    A colleague went through this last year with her son. Paid the private place, then got the counselling seat. After a long email chain they returned part of it. Not sure that's a policy anywhere, or just persistence.

  • pebble_quilt_6246

    so the university gets paid either way and the parents get two months of calm. clever business. what did she decide?

    • olive_hammock_9392

      In Pune my brother's son also paid like this for engineering. They gave back only after four months, and with lot of follow up. Keep every receipt and the email.

    • mint_sparrow_4003

      she said the deadline was the 30th so i'm guessing it's decided by now. curious too

    • apricot_kite_2846

      Replying to @mint_sparrow_4003

      paid it on the 29th. she calls it insurance, i call it a donation. july will tell

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