1500$ application fee?

I'm trying to find a place to move into before September 1st, and I finally found a place that I really liked. However, when I called the property manager, they said that I would have to send a money order / physical check to them. They called it an application fee, but it coust 1500$ ?? I feel like that is ridiculous. Not to mention, I currently live in Canada, meaning I would have to send that money through the mail. Which I really don't think is a good idea? Is this normal? This is my first time dealing with property managers and stuff; all my previous renting agreements were mom-and-pop-style agreements. They did say I would be refunded if I wasn't accepted, but I still feel very uneasy about it. I've met with the roommate that I would be moving in with, so I know it isn't a scam, but still...