Tulane bans HS from ED for 1 year after student backs out

[Anonymous]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/26/business/tulane-early-decision-colorado-academy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wU8.1dV-.na_H6egmYJU8&smid=url-share

And I thought this was an urban legend. Really not fair to the seniors at that high school.

[Anonymous]

ED has to go. It used to be an option used by the very few kids who had an absolute 110% first choice AND could be confident about the strength of their high school record grades 9-11. I don’t know anyone from my private high school class (early 90’s) who ED’d anywhere. This was a high school filled with full pay kids, that sent a good-sized contingent to the Ivies, T-25’s and SLAC’s most years. Now ED has added another unnecessary layer of stress to an already stressful process and has become a too for colleges to game the rankings.

[Anonymous]

The counselor, student, and parents signed a binding agreement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The counselor, student, and parents signed a binding agreement.

Not legally binding

[Anonymous]

Not legally binding, but there are a lot of understandings and agreements out there that aren’t legally binding but we think twice before backing out because there are consequences. When we were in high school before all this craziness, we were warned that if we back out of the ED agreement, the college could inform the other colleges to which we have applied and we risked getting those offers rescinded.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The counselor, student, and parents signed a binding agreement.

Not legally binding

Unethical

[Anonymous]

There have to be serious consequences, otherwise the designation is pointless.

[Anonymous]

Some high schools are playing fast and loose with ED agreements. They knowingly allow students to apply ED to multiple schools if the parents press them.

Things must have been pretty crazy at Colorado Adademy for this to happen. I bet stories will start to come out.

[Anonymous]

Those schools should switch to common app. Common app doesn’t allow more than one ED.

I love ED and hope it lasts at least long enough for my second child! It’s a great option for kids not wanting to play the field. DD had a very realistic first choice and wanted an answer as soon as possible. It was great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those schools should switch to common app. Common app doesn’t allow more than one ED.

I love ED and hope it lasts at least long enough for my second child! It’s a great option for kids not wanting to play the field. DD had a very realistic first choice and wanted an answer as soon as possible. It was great.

Oh, Common App is very easy to get around. You apply apply EA via the Common App and then just switch your "Decision Round" to ED in the school's portal. As you long as you can get a school counselor to sign the form, there is zero limit to the number of schools you can apply ED to.

[Anonymous]

Don’t soft/unstated bans happen all the time, and wouldn’t they be almost as effective? At my kid’s private school, “everyone” knows that certain top 20 schools love our students, some like select students (= admit fewer overall, but an extremely qualified candidate has a reasonable chance of admission), but one hasn’t admitted a single student from our school in years, since a last-minute ED acceptee withdrew. The soft ban effectively still keeps kids from applying to that univ from our school. I don’t know the family and we did not discuss with the college counselor since the school didn’t interest my child. Are others aware of rumored soft bans at their schools?

[Anonymous]

The consequences should be on the student (like no other accredited school can offer admission this year) and not on classmates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ED has to go. It used to be an option used by the very few kids who had an absolute 110% first choice AND could be confident about the strength of their high school record grades 9-11. I don’t know anyone from my private high school class (early 90’s) who ED’d anywhere. This was a high school filled with full pay kids, that sent a good-sized contingent to the Ivies, T-25’s and SLAC’s most years. Now ED has added another unnecessary layer of stress to an already stressful process and has become a too for colleges to game the rankings.

No, if they were so intelligent, they would understand what they signed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those schools should switch to common app. Common app doesn’t allow more than one ED.

I love ED and hope it lasts at least long enough for my second child! It’s a great option for kids not wanting to play the field. DD had a very realistic first choice and wanted an answer as soon as possible. It was great.

Oh, Common App is very easy to get around. You apply apply EA via the Common App and then just switch your "Decision Round" to ED in the school's portal. As you long as you can get a school counselor to sign the form, there is zero limit to the number of schools you can apply ED to.

Well that’s on the counselor then. I highly doubt a public school counselor such as our would allow it. Regardless, we used ED as intended and it worked beautifully for us. I’m so tired of upper middle class whiners claiming that ED won’t let them shop merit aid. Boo-effing-hoo. Kids with true need do fine in ED. Use the NPC and apply places you can afford. You’ll live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The consequences should be on the student (like no other accredited school can offer admission this year) and not on classmates.

It’s fine. If you are so worried about it happening, send your child to public school.