<p>^^^</p>
<p>Ex., hoping for fin. aid like loans and merit scholarships, but find out you don't get enough?</p>
<p>Do NOT apply ED unless you know that you can afford it. Yes, that gives an advantage to students who are well off. Yes, that is unfair.</p>
<p>However, if you get into your ED school and can't afford it, you'll be forced to back out for financial reasons (and it can be difficult to have enough proof so the college releases you from your pledge to go there). Also, by the time ED decisions come, it's Dec., and that's very late to have to send other applications -- particularly if you're stressed and depressed over having to turn down your ED acceptance.</p>
<p>There are plenty of posts in the archives, too, about this subject.</p>
<p>Well, I would have sent most of my applications by Dec. 1 anyways (as that is the deadline for many merit-based scholarships). I'm pretty sure a school can't force you to attend, even if you apply ED. I always thought of it more as an ethics thing. It sounds silly, but I'd hope the school wouldn't hold it against my character because I wouldn't be able to afford it. I'll do a search for the topic...</p>
<p>If you can't afford it - don't do it, it's pretty simple. There are other ways to express interest and colleges do share ED lists so you could get in pretty huge trouble.</p>
<p>What are some other ways to express interest besides an interview? I mean, almost nothing beats ED, but I'm open for any suggestions! I really want to go to this school, but financially it's looking like it might be tough. I'm a plane ride away, makes things like visiting real difficult...</p>
<p>It is a given that ED applicants tend to get a less favorable package, since they know they've got you on a hook. Personally, I applied ED to Penn, and I regret not talking this decision out enough with my parents and a financial advisor because they will technically give you a reasonable package (as I got) but it could be better. Later, after I knew I got accepted, we (belatedly) got a college financial advisor and he said that even though you apply ED, technically, you do NOT have to accept the contract if you are not satisfied with the package. So, I would recommend getting an affordable, reasonable financial advisor. It helps! (And get one early. An early consultation junior year wouldn't hurt because they're usually free.)</p>
<p>The interviews are the best way, just show excitement, knowledge and curiosity about the school and tell the person interviewing you that they're your first choice.</p>
<p>Thanks deedee, that was really helpful! I'll have to mention that to my parents. I knew it couldn't be binding if you weren't able to afford it. I would definitely hate to turn down an acceptance for that reason only however. And Dima, I'll be sure to get an interview, but I've talked with a admissions at a few schools and most are very forthright about interviews having no bearing whatsoever on decisions. Then again, they might have to say that as it's hard sometimes for kids to get them if there's no alumni in the area. Well, OK, thanks all.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm pretty sure a school can't force you to attend, even if you apply ED.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No, they can't make you attend, but they could let the other schools know that you rescinded on your admission risking your scholarships at other colleges because schools are allowed to share ED information.</p>
<p>Well then add to the interview a letter stateting solely your interest. You may even say: "While financial concerns preclude my applying under your Early Decison plan, I wanted to inform you that X University is my first choice and I can not imagine myself being as happy anywhere else," something like that</p>
<p>Oh! No prob, MissSuperFantastic! Also, about showing interest, some colleges have an essay that talks about "why you want to go here" or "what this college has to offer you." You can really show your interest through those types of essays. Otherwise, if you can get the e-mail or contact info of the admissions officer for your area, and e-mail him/her about any questions you have or something to show your interest, your name will most likely "click" with him/her when he/she reads your app!</p>
<p>Also, I noticed when I attended a merit scholarship weekend that there were VERY few ED candidates there. If you're applying to a school that gives out merit aid and you're a pretty strong candidate, I think, from experience, that it's better to wait and do RD because they haven't hooked you yet. If you're already committed to attending, there's no need for them to give you merit money in their opinion, because you've already committed to paying. Early action is a different story though because you're not bound to the school.</p>
<p>nobody can force you to enroll, but you can't just apply ED and expect to be able to ignore the committment by saying you're not satisified with the package. Colleges can and do share ED info, and if the ED college met your need outside of the EFC then other colleges may decide to reject you.</p>
<p>There are other repercussions, too, you should consider before you decide you can easily ignore your ED promise. Your HS will of course be informed, and they may take steps such as informing schools you applied to RD, refusing to supply recs to the RD schools, etc. Your actions will affect others at your HS, too. Colleges expect that counselors have carefully explained the committment involved in applying ED, and if you refuse to attend it will be years before that college ever takes another ED applicant from your HS</p>
<p>^^Haha, I think that's a little dramatic ;). Especially that part about them not taking another ED applicant from my HS! Anyways, I wouldn't apply ED if I thought I wasn't going...I am talking worst case scenario, like if, for some amazing reason, it just couldn't happen.</p>
<p>Although it sounds extreme and it is exagerrated (I'm sure they will accept some candidates), it is true that failure to keep an ED committment and other unethical behavior during college admissions puts not only you but your high school in a bad position and could hurt future applicants from your high school at that college.</p>
<p>actually its not extreme/dramatic. You apply to college once and you're done for life, but colleges and HS's are in a dance that continues for years. Some schools are "feeders" that regularly send kids off to top colleges. Colleges and these HS's build relations, and if a college feels its been slighted (HS not getting top kids to apply, top kids accepted not enrolling) they will send a msg by rejecting everyone one year.</p>
<p>Student Loans!</p>
<p>Although it sounds extreme and it is exagerrated "</p>
<p>It was not exaggerated. At S's former h.s., the GC said that a student accepted an ED school but didn't withdraw her applications. In the spring, the student accepted another college and backed out of ED for no good reason.</p>
<p>According to the GC, the ED college called up the GC and basically blamed the GC for what the student did. The next year, a student from that h.s. who really wanted to go to the ED school and was qualified for it was rejected, said the GC. Several years have passed, and I haven't heard of any students getting accepted since then by that ED college.</p>
<p>Colleges admissions officers have long memories and the top rated college have plenty of qualified applicants so can take revenge on high schools by rejecting qualified applicants because of previous problems with students' not abiding by their ED agreement.</p>
<p>i had posted on this somewhere but will repeat it. has a friend whose daughter got into top 15 school ED. Parents did not like th package, they got released from the hold and The student is now going to a lesser school full ride. Does not seem to be any serious repurcussions.</p>
<p>I also thought it would be really bad but other than being unethical and a scare tactic I do not think it is that serious a thing. I think colleges just put that in to scare applicants from not taking the offer and messing up the system so to speak</p>
<p>Priti,
Others have posted on CC, however, that it can be difficult to get released for economic reasons. Remember, even colleges promising to meet 100% of one's documented financial need are giving what the colleges view one's need as, not what the student and their parents think the need is.</p>
<p>The college also can package their aid however they wish, including front loading it with loans.</p>
<p>A GC that has gone to bat to get a student into their ED school, possibly by recommending the student over others who applied ED there, too, also may back off from giving such help after the student backs out of ED.</p>