Dilemma: Current school wants 12% deposit for next year, but DD applied to a different school

[Anonymous]

My DD's current school wants a deposit for the next academic year, about a week before she hears whether she was accepted at a new school.

I know schools want people to make decisions so that they can make admissions decisions (and that people should have back-up schools)... But, 12% is a lot of money to lose if she gets in somewhere else a week later...

Has anyone successfully negotiated this before?

[Anonymous]

If i were you I would try to wait out the deadlne until you hear.

[Anonymous]

I hate to say it, but no school makes drastic decisions like taking away a spot next year for existing students unless that are absolutely sure. Honestly, if you just lay low, not pay, and don't return calls for a week, they'll just keep trying to get it touch with you.

You might burn some bridges if you pop up in a week and withdraw for next year, but then again, they put you in that spot to begin with.

[Anonymous]

It depends what school it is. If it is a high demand school you are taking your chances that they will give away your spot. If not then you are probably safe to lay low and hope the spot is there if you need it.

I don't agree with PP that the school has put you in any position. They need to know how many spots they have before making offers to new students. That's the point of the reenrollment form and deposit. If you choose to apply out that is your choice, not the school's.

[Anonymous]

Is there a refund date? Our current school requires a deposit soon, but if you switch schools you can still get a refund up to a certain date in April.

[Anonymous]

Hi: Original poster here... I wanted to offer a sincere thanks for your ideas... Still trying to figure out our plan... BTW, current school wanting 12% offers no refunds...

[Anonymous]

My school let me fill out the contract but hold off on the check.

[Anonymous]

We applied to several HSs from a K-12 school. Depending on the acceptances (or lack of), we would have stayed at the current school. We talked to the school and they did not require us to pay the deposit as long as we told them ASAP when we knew our decision. They said what they didn’t want are the parents who pay the deposit, know it’s not refundable and therefore wait until the June/July full tuition commitment date to tell the school that they won’t be attending. They said at that time they are pulling from the wait list of applicants who mostly have already committed to another school. Telling the school ASAP allows them to make an offer to a different pool of students. So, talk to the school. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

OP - what did you end up doing? We are in same boat and nonrefundable deposit is due today....

[Anonymous]

Is there any way you can call the school to which you've applied and explain?

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. Cal the school you applied her to and tell them the situation. They might be able to tell you early. If they can't, I'd return the contract and not the check. Lots of parents at our school are late with the check and nothing happens - people just forget about things. Unless you have an incredible amount of faith in your relationship with the school and teachers, I would not tell them you are effectively hoping to leave unless you absolutely can't avoid it.

[Anonymous]

Hi: OP here.... I contacted both schools --They were sorry, but could not "bend the rules" -----

[Anonymous]

Doesn't the current school already know you are applying out since they've had to send transcripts, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Hi: Yes, they know we have applied out --they sent teacher forms, transcripts, etc to the other school...

They know admissions decision at other school will be sent in early March... But, they still want the 12% deposit next week or else there's no spot for DD at her current school for fall 2012.

[Anonymous]

I'm confused. Didn you know this when you applied out? We made the decision to risk losing the deposit if we switched schools when we applied out months ago.