Write an article based on this "Contact the admissions office. Say what you want to happen. Explain why you've changed your mind. Thank admissions staff for their help. Forfeit your deposit."
As soon as possible after you decide you no longer want to go to a school, you should talk to someone in admissions directly. The sooner you contact them, the more options you'll have.  Some university systems, such as those in the U.K. and Canada, allow a seven-day period during which you can decline admission to a college after accepting with no negative consequences. Check to see if there is such a deadline where you live. Typically it's best to call since admissions staff will be swamped with emails. You may want to follow up with a written letter discussing the phone call so there's a record. If there's someone specific you've been talking to about your admission already, try to get in touch with them. While you probably want to sound as professional and sophisticated, using academic lingo (such as "reject" or "withdraw") can be tricky. Use plain language when you speak to admissions, since those words may have specific meanings of which you're not aware.  For example, if you've decided you want to go to another school that gave you a better offer, or for another reason, simply say so. If you've decided you want to take a gap year, you may not have to decline admission. You can simply defer or postpone it. Again, rather than using those specific words, which may have a specific meaning for that school, simply say "I want to start next fall instead of this fall." Give admissions staff a reason why you're declining admission to the school after you've already accepted, and be honest about that reason. Admissions staff will be more willing to work with you if you're straightforward with them. In some cases, being honest about your reasons may open up other options for you. For example, admissions staff typically will be more willing to work with you if you have to decline admission for a reason outside your control, such as a serious illness or an ongoing family crisis. Even if you don't get the answer you wanted, you want to be careful not to burn any bridges – especially if you think you might want to go to that school in the future. If you take an attitude or are rude, word of your behavior may spread. For example, suppose you're declining admission to Good University so that you can go to Best College. If you're rude to GU admissions staff, they may call the admissions office at BC and tell them about it. Many colleges and universities in the United States and elsewhere require you to put down a deposit towards your first semester's tuition. If you decline admission to the school, that money may not be returned.  Check your admissions paperwork to see if the deposit is non-refundable. Even if it is, if you have a serious reason for declining admission, such as a medical crisis, you may qualify for an exception. If at all possible, you want to let them know that you've changed your mind about going there before you put down money for a deposit. That way you won't risk losing that money.