Earlier this month, I attended my Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA) conference in Boston, Massachussetts and had the chance to network with other independent consultants. The topic that seemed to be of utmost interest is that, unbeknownst to the consultant(s), several students had sent in deposits to more than one college. 

The deadline for sending in college acceptances, with the exception of waiting list candidates, is May 1st. By then, most students should have a pretty good idea of what college they want to attend. Why is it, then, that there are so many sending in more than one deposit?  

This practice is unethical on so many levels. First, it prevents students on the waiting lists, who really want to attend the college, from being offered an acceptance. Second, it gives universities an inaccurrate account of its yield that year - income they rely on and for which a budget has been established.

There was a lot of hullaballoo when a certain prestigious university mistakenly sent out acceptances and then quickly recinded them. Isn't this exactly what students are doing to the colleges to which they are double - and even triple - depositing?

Furthermore, many college admission officers, especially from the more prestigious schools, are courting the same students. They also talk with one another at college fairs and the like. What happens if the colleges get wind of the student who is sending in deposits to more than one college? Can the college refuse them admission? Yes they can!

This practice of sending in deposits to more than one college needs to be stopped. The only way is to keep students informed that this type of behavior is unacceptable. And besides, if by May 1st, the student is still uncertain as to which college to attend, perhaps he/she has not found his/her best fit and needs another year to decide.