Hey everyone, I’ve really messed up in my college app process and was wondering if anyone could help… I applied ED to Barnard, after making the decision back in August, but I’ve now had a complete change of heart. I’m planning on studying Theatre in college and was going to double major at Barnard in Theatre and English; however, I now want to study Theatre exclusively and am hoping to get into other schools with a BFA option (Barnard’s Theatre program isn’t great). I’ve spent hours online trying to find a way to get myself out of this hole I’ve dug for myself, but the only way I’ve found that you can get out of an ED contract is if you had applied for financial aid (which I was stupid enough not to do). Help?!
Decisions haven’t been made yet right?
Call Barnard Monday and tell them you need to switch to RD. Simple.
They don’t want to waste an ED slot for you if it’s a burden to you.
You could simply withdraw your application. Email admissions with your name and any application ID number and tell them you wish to withdraw your application to Barnard.
Cross posted with t2e64, didn’t realize Barnard was even remotely an option for you still. As he said, replace “withdraw” with “switch to regular decision”
Yup, that is what to do. Call Monday morning and just ask to switch the status. You do not need to give a reason.
Yes switching to RD is better than withdrawing because you may yet again change your mind before May.
Thanks @T26E4 @iwannabe_Brown
Maybe I’m just being paranoid as the stress of college apps is finally hitting me… I’m acting like I’ve already been accepted when really there is not a huge chance of me getting in. It’s a very competitive school, which is part of the reason why I applied ED (I couldn’t get in otherwise, and I’ve also done a lot of extra stuff for them back when it was my top choice). I would still like to be considered for acceptance, just not binding acceptance, which I know is being really picky. I’ll definitely consider these options, but I don’t want admissions to view switching to RD negatively. We’ll see how everything goes… Thanks again!
Switching to RD is not a negative thing. Lots of people do that.
I can’t tell from your post if you intend to switch to RD. You should or you’re stuck if you get admitted ED.
Agree with calling the school to switch to RD. I’d also contact your guidance counselor Monday and let him/her know of your change of heart.
Sounds like you want the advantages of ED (early answer, perhaps better odds…) without the binding aspect. Sorry you can’t have it both ways. If you really don’t want to be bound by the decision, you should follow everyone’s advice and call the school to change to RD.
You WILL be bound to attend if you are accepted. If it isn’t your first choice, back it down to RD on Monday.
“We’ll see how everything goes” Doing nothing is not an option. You have an out (and frankly a very easy and common one). Sitting back and waiting is ethically unacceptable.
Thanks so much for all the advice. I have a lot to consider, so I’ll be doing a lot of thinking over the next couple of days and definitely talk to my guidance counselors.
The advice here is spot on. If you no longer want to abide by the ED agreement you signed when you applied, your only recourse is to call and ask them to switch you to RD. It’s a clear-cut situation now.
Just as an update, I just spoke to my high school dean (who wasn’t very pleased) and I think I’m going to call Barnard and have them switch me to RD this week.
Good call, and I hope your dean gets over it and doesn’t hold it against you.