Law School Deposit Etiquette

Congratulations! If you're reading this, you have likely been accepted to one or more law schools where you applied. In many cases, applicants know their first, second, and third choice schools. Then, they quickly decide where to send a law school deposit once they receive acceptance letters. However, several scenarios might leave you unsure about where you want to go. Maybe you're waiting to hear from your number one choice, or you are on the waitlist for your "reach" school. Regardless of why you are not ready to make a decision, you do not want to let an acceptance pass you by.

Law schools require you to pay a seat deposit to hold your spot if you plan to enroll. Most deposit deadlines fall in April or May. The amount of your deposit varies among schools, averaging about $500. Yet, depending on the school, your deposit might be as little as $200 or as much as $1000. You might think it's okay to deposit at more than one school while you figure things out, but this is not always the case. Each law school deposits have different rules. 

Below, I cover some basic law school deposit etiquette to guide you. This includes information about when it's okay to make more than one deposit. Additionally, this includes the rules that apply when you have other offers or have been placed on the waitlist.

Making Multiple Deposits

You can make as many deposits as you want in the absence of any specific rules from a school. However, like many other things in life—just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Many law schools frown upon double deposits. Yet, there are some situations where it's okay to submit multiple deposits if schools allow it. Most of these situations fall under the umbrella of incomplete information. That is, you are expecting information outside the school's control that will impact your decision to enroll in a particular school. For example, if you applied to law schools in more than one location across the country and your partner or spouse is moving with you, you might be waiting to find out their job situation.

Mandatory Withdrawals and Law School Deposits

If you applied for Early Decision to law school, you likely did so under a binding agreement that you would withdraw all other applications and not start any new applications upon admission. At most schools, you must submit your seat deposit immediately upon acceptance. If you do not withdraw other applications or begin a new application, you face penalties for breaking the contract. However, if you have a good reason and communicate with the school, they may let you out of the agreement.

If you submitted a standard application, you might encounter rules about deposits beyond meeting the given deadline to save your seat. Many of the conditions law schools place on applicants are tied to funding. It's common for law schools to request that admitted applicants withdraw from other offers and sometimes remove themselves from waitlists when they have been offered a scholarship or fellowship. However, LSAC does not consider double-depositing misconduct, and federal law prohibits schools from sharing lists, making their requests unenforceable.

Pro Tip: If you decide to save your seat at a second school and submit a deposit, do not share any information about your second deposit with the first school. You risk admissions contacting the new school and stirring up trouble. Although it's unlikely they will rescind your offer, it's not a good look if you have been holding two seats for any length of time.

Pressure From Law Schools to Deposit: Exploding Offers

Many schools make admissions decisions on a rolling basis. Once they admit an applicant, they want one or more deposits to confirm enrollment. For many schools, the first seat deposit deadline comes in the last two weeks of April. Last year, rumors of some schools sending out warnings to applicants surfaced, an unprecedented move. Notre Dame made headlines for warning applicants that they would accept their $600 non-refundable seat deposits by April 15 or until they reach the "maximum number of deposits." Notre Dame also warned applicants that they risked losing their scholarship offers if they deposited at another school. 

Whether exploding offers of admittance and scholarships like Notre Dame's become more popular is yet to be seen. However, I probably do not need to tell you how this impacts law school applicants from minority populations and low-income families. Money is already tight, and applicants from these groups have already spent money on applications, LSAT prep, taking the LSAT, and other costs associated with the application process. Adding more financial pressure outside an Early Decision program only increases obstacles to attending law school for vulnerable populations.

Ethical Considerations of Double Deposits

Although some law schools strongly request admitted students to withdraw other applications and heavily frown upon double deposits, they have no way of enforcing their conditions unless they are tied to a binding Early Decision program. However, you should strongly consider the ethical implications of double-depositing. Especially consider this when you do not have an exceptional circumstance that justifies it.

Lawyers have an obligation to uphold the law and are expected to act with the utmost professionalism. Trustworthiness is a key character attribute needed to thrive and survive in the legal community. Making double deposits may not immediately impact you, but it could damage your reputation later if certain people find out. It not only speaks to the fact that you are willing to break the rules, even unenforceable ones, but it also shows disrespect or lack of empathy to other applicants. If you pay multiple deposits, you hold multiple seats and prevent others who are waitlisted from getting their shot at a school of their choice.

Learn More About Law School Deposit Etiquette

Ultimately, it's best to avoid double deposits unless you have extreme, extenuating circumstances. In those cases, you might be able to ask the school that admitted you for a short extension. Check out my video about law school seat deposits for more examples of situations that might warrant a double deposit.

The team at Barrier Breakers® Admissions Advising is here to support you through this law school application cycle! Whether it's through discounted advising for BIPOC, first-generation, and LSAC Fee Waiver applicants, our essay review services and courses, or just downloading our free Essential Guide to Applying to Law School, we're here to help make this process easier.

As always, feel free to reach out to us at hello@barrier-breakers.org with any of your questions! You can also submit a question to be answered on our weekly Break Into Law School® Podcast, streaming wherever your favorite podcast service is.