<p>if it is ED has has to go. He could be sued and fined because it is a binding contract and he has sufficient aid, so there really is no valid excuse.</p>
<p>One way you can handle this isto tell him how generous the financial aid package is. Explain that you will not go into debt because of it. Tell him that you will visit and/or call him often. Have a mature conversation with him. </p>
<p>For me all I have is my mom and vice versa. She does not want me to go away, but I have explained to her that I am an adult now and I need to experience life without her. Your father still has your sister to worry about, so its not like he is losing his only child. </p>
<p>You should definitely not give up on this opportunity you have.</p>
<p>Parents must sign too as does the school counselor. Maybe the counselor could also have a talk with your father and ecxplain the consequences. Good point, I hadn't focused on this being ED. I'm sure even the college would be happy to speak with your parents.</p>
<p>well, you are 18 I'm assuming. If I were in your position, I would go for the generous aid. It might just be that your dad is afraid that his girl is moving out of state alone. Try talking to him again.</p>
<p>No. The enforcement of binding early decision agreements takes the form of other colleges declining to admit students who break those agreements, mostly. It's difficult in the extreme to get into a "better" college if you've been admitted somewhere ED, but you can choose not to go to college at all, or to go to a "worse" college, and no lawyer will come after you. You just throw away your best chance at getting admitted to a good college (which I DON'T advise the OP here to do) if you decline to enroll at an ED college that has admitted you.</p>
<p>There's some good advice in this queue, and hopefully you'll follow that. Perhaps there are people whose opinion your father respects who can help? Is there someone in your father's circle of friends who has a child attending an East Coast school, successfully? Good advice to approach this at another time with some logic. Was the ED application implication clear to both parents?
In the long run, you need to do what's best for you. Families are tricky. Take a little time and find the middle ground. Good luck.</p>
<p>It is a cultural thing. Speak to your GC who has probably addressed this problem before in your community. Also, ask around in your parents' circle of friends to find someone who did let their kid go OOS to college.</p>
<p>No attorneys, but I most certainly know of a kid or two who tried to play he system and ended up with absolutely no school in the fall OR the next fall. Ended up going to the state U, which is a fine school, but it wasn't the same thing.</p>
<p>You might want to call the admissions office and tell them you can't wait to come, but Dad is upset. Maybe they have someone who is trained to talk to reluctant parents? The college obviously wants you really badly and will probably work with you to make Dad see the light.</p>
<p>I think you should try to convince your dad. I think there is fear that they won't see you during the semester. I know one Asian parent at work who told me his family is going to move near to his kid's college whatever she goes to.</p>
<p>I suspect he just needs time to get used to the idea and he will come around and be proud of you and voice his approval. I wouldn't bring it up again. I'd quietly move forward as if this were the plan, and leave it to him to bring peace to the situation.</p>
<p>Your life is for YOU, not for your parents. If this is the school you wanted to go to (which I'm assuming it is since you applied early decision) then GO. Regardless of what your parents say, this is your life and you are/will be an adult. I think what's much worse than wondering how things will be with your dad by going against him is wondering what could've been if you don't take this amazing opportunity (pretty much full ride) and go to a great school you really want to go to. Reason with him as best you can but if it comes down to it, I say be strong for yourself and go to this school.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter what Daddy says. You have near full ride to the college of your dreams. GO. If he refuses to give you the other $1000 a year, then either take out a loan or get a part time job. $1000 is a completely manageable amount to pay off. </p>
<p>DO NOT allow your parents to control your life. It is YOURS, not theirs. And if it's going to make them argue so badly over it, then that's another reason to get out of there and go. It's very likely that you will NEVER have another opportunity like this, and one day, after you've graduated from college and are on your way to achieving your dream career, perhaps your dad will rethink his mentality a bit.</p>
<p>I know that it seems unthinkable, going against what your parents want and moving across the country to go to school. But if you let yourself remain under their "command"...you'll never become an independent person. </p>
<p>Remember: YOUR life, not his.</p>
<p>Oh, and yes, the people talking about the ED thing...they're right. It's a legally binding contract. If you pull out, the college will be sure to tell many other colleges about it. I mean, you'd be pulling out of a great college with almost full aid. The odds of you getting into an equally good college or better will be severely hindered. People have lost the chance to go to college by pulling out of ED without a good reason (injury, trauma, financial downturn, etc). And "Daddy won't let me" is not a good reason. </p>
<p>I don't want to scare you, but it's true...</p>
<p>Why are people assuming he's 18? His birthday could be in March... or in December... or he could have skipped a grade and still be 16, like some of my friend.</p>
<p>I'm still 17, and I could have signed the ED contract...</p>
<p>Ouch...that honestly sucks. Like most others here, I say go to the school, if all else (rational dialogue, persuasion, etc) fails, still go.</p>
<p>If honestly your family will break down because of this, it probably wouldn't be entirely due to something like this.</p>
<p>Take the hypothetical that you back out of this opportunity and do whatever your dad wishes (which, you have limited options anyway since you're at ED), then come grad school, jobs, careers, etc...will your dad still force you then, have a say then? Will your family still break down then?</p>
<p>I would give your dad some time to mull things over. </p>
<p>I wouldn't burn any bridges. If your financial aid is need based, wouldn't you mom/dad need to fill out the FAFSA/PROFILE for the next three years?</p>
<p>That's a great point, FresnoMom. Don't burn any bridges. Don't make any drama. Just proceed quietly as if this has always been the plan. Give him the opportunity to accept it gracefully.</p>