The impact of a senior backing out of college commitment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you still have younger children who will attend the school that could be a problem for them/you when it is their turn to apply for colleges

It is safe to assume that a university that goes through 50,000-80,000 applications each year is not going to keep track that Larla's big brother declined his acceptance 4 years and over 200,000 applications ago.

Different poster and different circumstances, but I’m not entirely sure if this is true. Our oldest was accepted to Notre Dame and turned it down, and several years later our younger daughter, who was better qualified and actually visited the Notre Dame campus, applied and was rejected. Not even waitlisted. And she was a legacy.

She was unfazed because it was never a top choice of hers, and she landed on her feet fine, but we had to wonder if our older daughter’s decision had an impact.

Oh sure. Because the many, many readers and evaluators in the ND admissions office were so devastated that your DD turned them down that they all got together years later and said, “oh boy, we’ll show the Smith family now!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A high school counselor can’t refuse to send your transcript. It’s an educational record.

Depends on the school and the agreement signed by the student and their parents. ED - while not a legally binding contract - is a contract based on honor. Here are some consequences if you choose to renege your ED acceptance:

2. There May Be Consequences If You Don’t Have “Good” Reason
Each school is different in how they view the Early Decision, but students should understand that it is binding. Failing to have a “good” reason can result in some consequences. “Bad” reasons can include you simply don’t like the school anymore or you received an acceptance letter to another college you want to attend.

Some colleges understand and let you off the hook if you say, “I’m sorry but, after some reflection, this college is not the one for me.” However, this is not always the norm.

Early Decision is also an honor-bound agreement and not a legal document. You do sign an agreement stating that you will attend the school if you are accepted. So there are some consequences you could face if you don’t have one of the good reasons listed above. Backing out of Early Decision without a solid excuse could result in the loss of any deposits you’ve already paid. Other colleges could also withdraw their letters of acceptance if your original Early Decision school shares information with them.

3. The College Contacts Your High School
Your high school is often part of the Early Decision application process and they have signed off on your application. You backing out could jeopardize future students’ Early Decision chances if they apply to the same college. In some cases, your high school counselor may turn around and tell the other colleges you’re applying to, hurting your acceptance chances at the other schools.

It’s important to note that some high schools won’t even send your transcript or other information to any colleges after you’ve already applied under Early Decision to one school and received an acceptance letter. As a result, you may find it impossible to apply to any other colleges in January.

4. Colleges Rescind Offers If You Applied in Bad Faith or to Two or More Schools
You should only apply to a single school under Early Decision. If you apply for two and are accepted to both, you can run into a problem – you gave both your word you will attend! You’ll have to back out of one. However, if you decline one and the college finds out about your other Early Decision application, you may find your offer is rescinded from both schools.

5. Colleges Share Lists
In the same vein, many colleges share “lists” of the students applying under Early Decision with one another. Did you apply to two schools under early decision that talk to one another? Most likely, neither college will accept you. Guidance counselors, alumni, and even classmates are within their right to tip off college application departments, too.

https://www.collegeraptor.com/getting-in/articles/questions-answers/happens-back-early-decision/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you still have younger children who will attend the school that could be a problem for them/you when it is their turn to apply for colleges

It is safe to assume that a university that goes through 50,000-80,000 applications each year is not going to keep track that Larla's big brother declined his acceptance 4 years and over 200,000 applications ago.

But your high school will and then be less likely to help your family or provide a good recommendation to colleges.

[Anonymous]

I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you still have younger children who will attend the school that could be a problem for them/you when it is their turn to apply for colleges

It is safe to assume that a university that goes through 50,000-80,000 applications each year is not going to keep track that Larla's big brother declined his acceptance 4 years and over 200,000 applications ago.

But your high school will and then be less likely to help your family or provide a good recommendation to colleges.

If a private HS, yes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The fact that OP never came back and clarified facts and details, like whether this was an ED commitment, suggests we probably don’t need to be worked up about it.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

Where did OP specify the student had applied and been accepted ED?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

I can believe it. Financial reasons and other extreme circumstances are fine. But if enough people start backing out of this honor system for shady reasons, I would guess the admissions offices will start requiring larger deposits or legal contracts for ED, which might really suck for the people with legitimate reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

I can believe it. Financial reasons and other extreme circumstances are fine. But if enough people start backing out of this honor system for shady reasons, I would guess the admissions offices will start requiring larger deposits or legal contracts for ED, which might really suck for the people with legitimate reasons.

or maybe colleges would get rid of ED altogether, which would be great since it really favors people who do not need financial aid (like my kids)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every year on DCUM there are parents who openly make multiple deposits and see no problem letting their kid commit to Multiple schools.
It is wrong, but some parents just don’t care. Maybe reading this thread will change their minds.

It's not "wrong." You can't afford it, they can. Such is life.

Actually multiple deposits is wrong. Your kid signs an agreement not to do that. That is different from getting off a Wl and switching schools, which obviously is allowed, else there wouldn't be wait lists.

No it is not wrong….All of you have been brainwashed by the same college system that all of you complain about. The university system in this country created this issue. I would gladly represent anybody that has been “injured” by these universities threatening kids with their ED “make belief” contracts for free…..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ED commitment, no. Our counselor will literally kill you.

RD commitment? Yes, you can back out. You just lose the deposit that's all.

But only in the way where literally literally means the opposite of literally.

😂

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

I can tell you a story of a kid backing out on an ED that the private school not only said was OK, but celebrated.

Kid was an excellent student and was also a good - not great, but good -athlete in a certain sport. At the end of junior year, kid decided not to pursue playing the sport in college and focused on academics in college search. Went ED and got accepted to this very good school in December.

Spring sport time came along and kid had a break-out year. Kid had grown 2 inches, worked hard over the summer to fill out and had a stellar season, to the point that it got some D1 attention. Kid rethought plan and decided to pursue sport in college. Dropped the ED and went to another school to play the sport.

Everyone was happy for kid and family, except possibly posters like some here who are certain that their kid would have gotten into this kid's ED spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

I can tell you a story of a kid backing out on an ED that the private school not only said was OK, but celebrated.

Kid was an excellent student and was also a good - not great, but good -athlete in a certain sport. At the end of junior year, kid decided not to pursue playing the sport in college and focused on academics in college search. Went ED and got accepted to this very good school in December.

Spring sport time came along and kid had a break-out year. Kid had grown 2 inches, worked hard over the summer to fill out and had a stellar season, to the point that it got some D1 attention. Kid rethought plan and decided to pursue sport in college. Dropped the ED and went to another school to play the sport.

Everyone was happy for kid and family, except possibly posters like some here who are certain that their kid would have gotten into this kid's ED spot.

A breach of contract is a breach of contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

I can tell you a story of a kid backing out on an ED that the private school not only said was OK, but celebrated.

Kid was an excellent student and was also a good - not great, but good -athlete in a certain sport. At the end of junior year, kid decided not to pursue playing the sport in college and focused on academics in college search. Went ED and got accepted to this very good school in December.

Spring sport time came along and kid had a break-out year. Kid had grown 2 inches, worked hard over the summer to fill out and had a stellar season, to the point that it got some D1 attention. Kid rethought plan and decided to pursue sport in college. Dropped the ED and went to another school to play the sport.

Everyone was happy for kid and family, except possibly posters like some here who are certain that their kid would have gotten into this kid's ED spot.

A breach of contract is a breach of contract.

Except it is not a contract if he was 17 and not an adult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it almost hilarious (almost) that anyone would think it's ok to renege on an ED acceptance for any reason other than finances. I had no idea there were so many clueless parents here, but DCUM proves me wrong every day.

I can believe it. Financial reasons and other extreme circumstances are fine. But if enough people start backing out of this honor system for shady reasons, I would guess the admissions offices will start requiring larger deposits or legal contracts for ED, which might really suck for the people with legitimate reasons.

or maybe colleges would get rid of ED altogether, which would be great since it really favors people who do not need financial aid (like my kids)

DP. I think every school should offer ED. No more guessing about who will actually attend.