How soon after an ED acceptance does a student need to withdraw EA applications?

[Anonymous]

For parents with older kids who were accepted ED, when did your kid withdraw from their other schools? The same day or would it be okay to wait a day or two or three days?

My kid is expecting an ED decision in mid-December, and a EA decision will be released the following day and a different EA decision will be released the day after that. IF my kid is accepted ED, of course they will withdraw the other applications. However, can they wait a day to see if they get into the EA school, or is that considered unethical? What about 2 days to see whether they get into the other EA school? The reason I think waiting should be okay is because even if my kid withdraws immediately, it will have zero impact on the EA school taking another kid in the early round since it's too close to the deadline.

This is all hypothetical since my kid applied to a high reach of them, but I'm just curious how people feel about this issue.

[Anonymous]

My kid who was accepted ED waited a week or so. I think that is ethical. The EA school will have already made the decision anyway. Some ED acceptances may not come with the financial aid package so it’s okay to wait for those as well.

[Anonymous]

I think it's best if you withdraw IMMEDIATELY. This is for practical reasons because it gives additional slots for other kids in the same high school. In your case, the EA decision comes out right after ED, so it doesn't matter much. In other cases, EA decisions come out a while after ED, yes it makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

within 24 hours

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's best if you withdraw IMMEDIATELY. This is for practical reasons because it gives additional slots for other kids in the same high school. In your case, the EA decision comes out right after ED, so it doesn't matter much. In other cases, EA decisions come out a while after ED, yes it makes a difference.

+1 Decisions can still be being made up to the last minute and their HS peers are the ones most likely to be impacted. In addition why put your kid in the situation of hesitating about their ED school if they get into their EA too? By the way, thinking good thoughts for your DC's ED outcome. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For parents with older kids who were accepted ED, when did your kid withdraw from their other schools? The same day or would it be okay to wait a day or two or three days?

My kid is expecting an ED decision in mid-December, and a EA decision will be released the following day and a different EA decision will be released the day after that. IF my kid is accepted ED, of course they will withdraw the other applications. However, can they wait a day to see if they get into the EA school, or is that considered unethical? What about 2 days to see whether they get into the other EA school? The reason I think waiting should be okay is because even if my kid withdraws immediately, it will have zero impact on the EA school taking another kid in the early round since it's too close to the deadline.

This is all hypothetical since my kid applied to a high reach of them, but I'm just curious how people feel about this issue.

I don't think it was the same day because kid didn't open up the email until late in the evening after getting home late. Did it within a day or two though so as soon as reasonably possible.

[Anonymous]

my kids did it within the hour. why not? it can only help your classmates.

[Anonymous]

Another way to look at: If your ED-admitted kid struggles in the beginning at their college next year, will knowing all the places they “could have gone” help them or make it tougher? There’s something to be said for focusing on where you’re going to go/where you are rather than wondering how greener that other grass might have been!

[Anonymous]

My DD's EA schools are scheduled to release decisions 5-7 days after she'll get the ED1 decision. I've heard that they send an email right around the time they know ED decisions will mostly be out asking whether you've been accepted anywhere ED or not. As much as my DD wants to hear these EA results, I'm planning to advise her to do the right thing and answer promptly and honestly in case it helps out other EA candidates. Here's hoping that's the boat she's in!

[Anonymous]

My kid waited to confirm everything with high school college counselor (so, a day or so) and his wasn’t ED, rather restricted early action.

Waiting to see if a kid gets into an EA with an ED in hand gives me the icks, quite honestly. Why do that, other than useless bragging rights or self-congratulations? I don’t think it is “unethical” but I wish kids would be happy with the acceptance they have. That sort of behavior contributes to the rat race mentality, imo, but I am sure there are people who think differently than me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid waited to confirm everything with high school college counselor (so, a day or so) and his wasn’t ED, rather restricted early action.

Waiting to see if a kid gets into an EA with an ED in hand gives me the icks, quite honestly. Why do that, other than useless bragging rights or self-congratulations? I don’t think it is “unethical” but I wish kids would be happy with the acceptance they have. That sort of behavior contributes to the rat race mentality, imo, but I am sure there are people who think differently than me.

I will add, we paid the deposit that day, for the confirmation and then he withdrew EAs.

[Anonymous]

Withdraw only after you see the financial aid offer, since ED is predicated on the financial aid package matching what the net price calculator says. I told my kid that an ED acceptance means nothing if the school doesn't deliver on their "promised" financial aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Withdraw only after you see the financial aid offer, since ED is predicated on the financial aid package matching what the net price calculator says. I told my kid that an ED acceptance means nothing if the school doesn't deliver on their "promised" financial aid.

I don't get the impression that OP is expecting a FA offer. That would have been relevant information and a non-shady reason to wait. Since it sounds like the kid would be waiting just to see if they couldn't have gone elsewhere, that's not ethical. Withdrawls can absolutely impact other students that close to the release date. The ED application means you aren't going elsewhere. Do the right thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:my kids did it within the hour. why not? it can only help your classmates.

If the decisions are made already (e.g., coming that week), it won't help your classmates.

If the decisions come out next month, yes, it could help your classmates.

[Anonymous]

"I know what I'm supposed to do, but is there a way to justify doing what I want to do?"