A friend of mine (and yes, truly a friend - not me) applied and was accepted to 2 schools early decision. I told him that early decision was binding and that you’re not supposed to apply to two schools early decision…but needless to say - he didn’t listen. He thinks that early decision is just a way for students to get a “head start” and since he technically didn’t sign his name, and only clicked a box on the screen …they can’t do anything. He got into both UVa and W&M but really wants to go to UVa. What can he do now? I also would like to go to UVa and I’ve read on other posts that his mishap could affect other people at the same school and I’m wondering what the possibilities are that I’d be affected by this if the adcom folks over at UVa were to find out?
<p>Legally, an actual signature is not required for the contract to be binding. If the method of signature offerred is to click approval on-line and the person does so, that will be considered sufficient. Your friend has a very serious problem, and the likely, not just possible, result is that both schools will withdraw admission once this is discovered, and when he fails to return forms required after admission (such as housing forms and deposits), one of those colleges is likely going to discover what has occurred and the other will learn soon thereafter.</p>
<p>Yes, often online, a check box is equal to a signature. When you click it, you are agreeing to the rules that are specified. He will have a hard time backing out of one of the ED schools without a good reason and the schools will soon know</p>
<p>There will be no effect on anyone else who is hoping to attend UVa or W&M. But there is no way around it for this kid, he's in trouble, and one WILL find out (if he does not submit his forms and deposit) and tell the other.</p>
<p>Not only does this impact him, it reflects on the high school as well. The GC is meant to be aware of the ED application status, and in fact where my sons have applied ED the GC has also had to sign a statement. It is not inconceivable that this could impact on the other students at his school as a result, but who knows. Are you sure he did ED at both, that one was just not an early response??</p>
<p>If indeed both were ED, it was particularly unclever of him to do this at 2 in-state schools (I am presuming he is in VA)...surely they communicate surrounding these issues- and surely many other kids at his HS will want to attend these schools. </p>
<p>He is just in trouble, he can try to "be honest" but in reality he has created a big mess for himself, and for his high school. I would say there is a reasonable chance that both schools will revoke the offer. </p>
<p>If you are a student at the same HS, then I would be proactive. Go to your counselor, talk about the issue, be in touch with the person reading your file at UVA. Once this is "open" send a letter to UVA stating that you are aware of the situation, really want UVA and hope it will not impact you. Don't sit and wait...</p>
<p>As for the "technicality" that he didn't sign...again, in the case of both my sons who applied ED on line to schools, they also had to send in a signed piece of paper. If no paper had to be signed, then that X is as good as a signature- that was a legally binding agreement that he signed.</p>
<p>Your friend behaved in a short sighted and selfish manner. All issues regarding integrity are to be judged harshly when it comes to college admissions, IMHO. Too many people work too hard, and too many people are honest and too many people do the right thing for someone to be allowed to "get away" with an issue like this.</p>
<p>Your friend was particularly foolish to apply this way to a school that has an honor code (UVa has one -- I don't know about W&M). One of the central tenets of such as school, is integrity, and your friend flunked that test with his first piece of paper submitted, even tho it was done electronically. Digital signatures can be legally binding since somone has to sign in. </p>
<p>And, as others have pointed out, if the GC knew about this, it could impact negatively with other apps at your school. Robryn is correct, see your GC on Monday, even if you have to wait all day to get in.</p>
<p>Well, I am beginning to believe your friend may be pulling your leg or yours ours. From what I can tell, the UVA actually requires the applicant to sign and return a form to be considered ED and W&M requires the return of a form that the student, parent, and counselor all sign, so it does not sound like what assertedly occurred could have occurred.</p>
<p>Yes, it is dubious. The only way I could see it happening would be if either a different GC signed each one..or the "friend" signed everything himself...or ...if the friend is being "funny."</p>
<p>Well neither UVa nor W&M has early action, its either early decision or regular decision and ...he has both decisions back already so the chances of him pulling my leg are slim.</p>
<p>Btw - Yes, decisions are out this early, I know other people that got decisions from W&M and UVa already.</p>
<p>Bo-bombers,
He is your friend so it is nice for you to say he was "misguided", but I believe that anyone bright enough to apply to and be accepted to UVA or W&M is bright enough to read and understand the instructions regarding the significance of ED. He was playing the odds that he wouldn't get into both and it wouldn't be an issue for him. He lost.</p>
<p>I think that it's blantantly obvious how ED works for UVA and WM. Both make it very clear that it's binding, and if your friend disregarded this, he is putting his college admissions in jeopardy. UVA will be ****ED when they find out about this. UVA is known for having the strictest honor codes in the country, up there with the military. Not only that, they're paranoid about cheating, so I am sure the adcoms are checking around to see if the ED'ers are being truthful.</p>
<p>Your friend is screwed. I don't feel sorry for him, because this was his fault, and his predicament. Don't get caught up in this. Either A)he is lying or B)he needs to be looking at other colleges. </p>
<p>However, there is a possibility that if he applied for financial aid, he could say that the amount is too low and withdraw from one of the colleges. However, he would still have to prove where else he will be attending, and I don't think that UVA will make WM people very happy.</p>
<p>There is no possible way to get out of this. If he sends in his deposit and housing information to UVa then W&M will come knocking at his doorstep asking for his stuff. The schools would be extremely mad if you just didn't send in your stuff and went to a RD school let alone apply to another ED school. Tell your friend to hire Johnny Cochran.</p>
<p>Not getting enough financial aid is a theoretical "out" for why you can't go to an ED school- though a poor one as everyone who thinks about ED should think about the financial element. I am sure that schools who accept kids ED are not happy when that card is played..</p>
<p>Not getting enough financial aid is not an out for playing the system and applying to 2 ED schools...</p>