My typical understanding of putting a deposit in is that it holds your place in the class. But can putting an LLM deposit in be seen as a binding commitment?

I was recently admitted to Berkeley's LLM program, and they use language like 'accepting your place in the class' and 'making a commitment to attend.' If I don't wind up going, I don't mind losing the deposit. But I do mind if my reputation gets tarnished by depositing and not attending, as I know is sometimes true for JD programs where admissions offices return 'intent to enroll' to the LSDAS. Also, am I expected to have deposits in at only one school at a time?

Can someone clarify for me what professional ramifications there are to putting a deposit in to an LLM program and not ultimately attending?

in my opinion, it really depends on the particular school and exactly how the document you are signing (or virtually signing) is worded.

For instance, Georgetown's seat deposit specifically notes that you may get a refund of specified amounts of the deposit up until certain dates. For NYU on the other hand, the intent to enroll form is worded in a way that makes it much more of a commitment.

I would recommend reading what you are signing exactly and figure out what that particular school is requiring. You could also try asking the admissions office.

davemag,

An LLM deposit (and most school seat deposits) is merely a good faith acceptance of the schools offer of admission. Its in no way contractually binding because the school is not injured by your failure to attend. Thats the main reason why the deposit is nonrefundable: the school profits either way. Furthermore, schools understand that people usually apply to multiple programs and/or have emergency situations that cause a committed student to ultimately not attend. The commitment phrasing is used more administratively, to tally the number of expected students for the allotted seats.

I dont understand why your reputation would be an issue in this circumstance?? Im not familiar with the intent to enroll that you mentioned, but again, admissions offices keep administrative records of offers/waitlists/rejections - so perhaps they are required to report acceptances that are ultimately not followed through purely for statistical recordkeeping purposes. Those records would never be released to employers, 3rd parties, or the public at large. (Even if someone found out you paid a deposit and never attended, where is the damage to your reputation?) Theres no underground blacklist for an admitted student who decides to go with a subsequent or better offer. It happens all the time, so I wouldnt worry. Schools are not in the business of tarnishing reputations; especially since they always get to keep your sizeable deposit.

In summary, there are no professional ramifications to paying a seat deposit and ultimately not attending. Read the posts on this site. Its a common occurrence that, to my knowledge has not damaged anybody publicly... And no, you can put down as many deposits for as many program acceptances as you want. The schools don't know who else you deposited to and likely don't care. Its only a loss to your wallet (money) in the end, not to your reputation ;-).