After acceptance.. how long do you have to decide?

[jaznugget]

I have 3 interviews coming up. If I am accepted, how long do schools usually give you to decide if you want to go there? I know it depends on the school, I was just wondering what other people's experiences were like with this.

[kagildersleeve]

Typically they give you 2 weeks to submit your deposit (usually around $500 but it is lower for some schools) after they have provided you with an official acceptance.

[lgl003]

I was given about a month to decide, but my deposit was $1000.

[ScienceisAmazin]

So a deposit means, "Here's some $$$ to hold my place. If I change my mind and go elsewhere, you can keep it."

[fdamico1985]

Science yes that is what the deposit essentially is :) I understand the need for it though, as they continue to interview applicants on a rolling admissions basis they need a rough idea of how many spots are already filled or "held". My deposit was $750 and was due 2 weeks after my acceptance, however I could have asked for an extension if I was in a hardship.

[GingersHuman]

I had 2 weeks to decide. Because I hadn't heard ANYTHING from 8 other schools at that point (it was really early in the cycle), I decided it was in my best interest to accept, and if I lose the $500, so what, it's nothing compared to the what, $100K that PA school will eventually cost me! (however, working in healthcare and owning a horse I do live check to check which made the $500 particularly painful - BUT in the grand scheme of things I figured it was definitely worth the peace of mind!)

[Sparkles9708]

Typically most of the schools I interviewed at it was 2 weeks, but one school did allow us up to almost a month to decide.

[TThielen]

Have any of you ever actually switched schools after making the deposit? Just wondered what the percentages are of those on the waiting list?

[beattie228]

TThielen: I paid a $500 deposit for one school, and then accepted an offer from my first choice later on and paid them $1000. Instead of dwelling on the overall cost, I just looked at it like I paid $1500 to hold my seat at my number one choice. I emailed the first program immediately to open up a seat for an eagerly awaiting student. Best of luck!

[just_me]

Nah not me....I asked for an extension. The first school to say yes had a 1500 deposit...1/2 due within 2 weeks. and I couldnt afford to lose that because if my first choice said yes, then I had to take the UNE biochem class (not cheap btw). Luckily my extension lasted until my first choice had their ADCOM meeting

[TThielen]

@ just_me I took that biochem class at UNE, I know what you mean $$$.

[just_me]

The price of that course still gives me nightmares....especially towards the end of the semester when funds are running low:sad:

 

Funny thing is UNE doesn't require biochem. I mean so many students take their biochem to get into programs but ya dont need it to get into theirs. I think Im going to open a distance learning school that only provides pre-health curriculum along with my own bookstore--that alone should pad my pockets well:heheh:

 

@ just_me I took that biochem class at UNE, I know what you mean $$$.