Deposit Dilemma!

[dineymack]

I thought I would start this thread to get the advice of anyone who has been in a similar situation.

I just got accepted into a Canadian school for an MEng, and they require a deposit of $1000 (!!!) by April 4th in order to hold my place (there is no accept or decline - you either send the deposit or not and that acts as the accept/decline!). I am still waiting on one school in the US (an MS in engineering), and I really doubt that I will hear from them before April 4th (especially since most of their decisions, both acceptances and rejections, are sent by post). This US school is probably my top choice, and the Canadian school my second choice. If the deposit for the Canadian school was only a few hundred $, I would probably just pay, but $1000 is a lot, especially if I end up going to the US school and it just goes to waste! Should I ask for more time from the Canadian school? I called the US school last week, and they won't tell me much about my application. Should I call again?

[runonsentence]

I'm not sure if the Canadian school will give you the extension, but it doesn't hurt to ask politely.

[thesnout]

Ask for an extension from the Canadian school. Tell them your situation and see what they say. Gosh those fees are scary. $1000!!!!!!!! Ugh. What school is it?

If you already called the US school I don't think it's necessary to call/contact them again. Maybe contact them again in 1.5 to 3 weeks if you haven't heard anything. They're probably still making decisions so give them some time. Don't worry. Everything will work out.

[dineymack]

Thanks for your help! Yes, I'll get in touch with Canada school and see what can be done. Don't like my chances though - the email says something about no delays or changes to the deadline allowed. Hmmm.

I was pretty shocked when I read in the email that they needed a $1000 deposit - and they have only given 10 days for this to be organised and mailed to them from the other side of the world! The school is UBC, and the program is a professional master's, so the fees are higher than most programs (although still considerably lower than the US schools I applied to). It is taken off the total tuition, but still, $1000 with 10 days notice! blah.

I'm excited though - really didn't expect this acceptance! Just waiting on the last school and then I can finally make a decision and get on with things!