I’m having a dilemma where I got waitlisted at a UC and want to apply to their waitlist. I already have been admitted ED to a really expensive private liberal arts college on the east coast; I also gave them a deposit. However, with the pandemic going on, I want some cheaper backups and UCs are an option. I’m wondering what will happen to my deposit and my admission status to the other school if I apply waitlist to a UC.
What should happen is your lose your admission to your ED school (and possibly your UC). ED admission requires you to Withdraw all your other apps unless the FA is not sufficient. It sounds like that is not the case and you are just trying to work around the process.
Three questions: Are you a California resident? Which UC? Are you expecting your family’s income to take a hit because of the pandemic, so that paying will be a challenge?
I expect that many colleges will be pretty understanding if your family income has changed for the worse because of the pandemic, and will either release you from your agreement or recalculate your EFC, based on your new situation.
On the other hand, they also may not be thrilled that you didn’t withdraw your applications to the UC when you were accepted ED and deposited. That being said, you do not need to tell them that you will be attending a different college when you ask to be released from the contract.
@“Erin’s Dad” They didn’t give me any financial aid and the tuition is beyond expensive. My parents said they would pay for it, but it sounds like a huge burden. Eventually I want to pay back any of my college tuition but, at that price, I don’t know if I could.
@MWolf Yes, I’m a California resident. I was waitlisted at UCI. I don’t know too much about the impact on my family’s income but they have been getting antsy and started talking more about investments, etc. I just want to make sure they have enough money to also pay for my brother’s college tuition.
You definitely should’ve thought about this financial burden well before applying ED. ED is binding; it’s practically a legal contract. I would contact your ED school ASAP and ask for a reconsideration of your financial aid if the money is an actual issue and then it would be possible (if financial aid still not enough) to back out of your ED and join the waitlist.
But I am confused as you say your parents can pay for it? If it’s found by your ED’s financial office that your parents have ample income to pay your tuition, you cannot consider any other school. ED is something you cannot just regret and opt-out of.
When did you receive your ED admission? You were still inquiring about Brown at the end of January. It doesn’t sound like you are following the rules at all.
@Eeyore123 I got it in February because ED2
@ser7in1 I thought I would’ve gotten a better financial aid package that’s why I still considered ED. They can pay for it, but it’s on the edge.
In that case, you should definitely ask for another look at your financial aid package. Tell them you don’t think your parents can reasonably afford the cost of attendance. Mention if they cannot give you FA, you would like to consider other schools and ask if it would be possible to back out of the ED. Best of luck.
@ser7in1 Okay, thank you so much for your advice! It’s really helpful
It truly is OK to let them know that your financial picture has changed, and that you can no longer afford the place. Your email will not be the first one that they have received on Monday with that information.
Posters are inferring the OP has had a change in financial circumstances which would certainly lead to concern in affordability. But I don’t see that in the OP’s posts. I only see this:
Then February when you got the admission and package is when you should have been thinking about this. Sounds like you want the best of both worlds; the ED admission preference and then letting your RD apps ride to see what you get. Since the GC has to sign the ED app the consequences may be up to your HS. At some the GC will refuse to send out transcripts to other colleges for those admitted ED, under the assumption they followed the ED rules and withdrew all their other apps.
@“Erin’s Dad” look I’m trying to see if there’s a change, what could I do in that situation. There might likely be a change in my circumstances but I’m not going to tell that to some stranger on the internet.
@mikemac I was told that I could keep my UCs as a financial fail-safe but that I had to withdraw all my applications from the private colleges, which I did.
That was bad info. Who told you that?
Have you asked your ED school to review your FA package? Or did you not apply for FA to begin with?
a counselor
Colleges don’t grant additional aid based on circumstances that might change. If you can’t show a change that’s already happened, I wouldn’t expect additional aid.
It sounds like your family is facing a possible loss of income. Are you saying you have no financial safeties? Your only acceptance is an expensive ED school? If you can’t afford the ED school then tell them so and withdraw your app. You can then put your name on as many wait-lists as you want.
If you truly have no financial safeties you may have to look around for schools that still have openings, but if you need aid that might be a problem. You could always take a gap year and reapply to a broader range of schools that might be able to take your family’s new circumstances into account.
Agree with the above. If the ED school is unaffordable withdraw now.
If you need additional schools to apply to, let us know your stats and budget.