<p>So a few days ago, I signed an Early Decision form for a school that I decided to apply EDII to. I sent the application off...Yesterday, actually. So I highly doubt the school in question has received it, and most admission offices are closed at this time of year anyway.</p>
<p>However, the more I think about it, the more I realize I do not want to apply early to the school. I would rather wait until April and see what colleges accept me versus what colleges don't, and I don't want to tie myself down.</p>
<p>So, I thought, if I write an elegant letter explaining that I do not want to be considered for early decision, can I get off the binding hook? I figure the school won't have read my application by the time they recieve my letter; after all, they have to process the application, send me a confirmation letter, make sure they have everything, etc.</p>
<p>So, if I write an eloquent letter politely asking to be moved from the ED pool to RD pool, would this be okay? Would it all effect my chances either way?</p>
<p>Yes, you can withdraw from Ed consideration by sending a letter, but do so quickly. And be sure to follow up with a phone call in a few weeks[ after the first of the year when admissions offices are open again] to be sure they received your letter. It may affect your chances, because admissions offices usually do give some preference to those applying ED. They have a class to fill, and a committed ED student means one less space to fill.</p>
<p>I'm aware my chances change when being shifted from the ED pool to the RD one. After all, most ED admission rates are higher than RD ones. I guess what I mean to ask is if my change of heart will affect my chances at RD admission.</p>
<h1>Also, pasted below is a draft of the letter I will be sending. Does it seem appropriate?</h1>
<p>To the XXXXX College Admissions Office,</p>
<p>On Thursday, December 20th, I mailed an Early Decision II application to XXXXX College. After more careful consideration of the binding nature of early decision, I have decided I would instead not like to apply Early Decision II to XXXXX College. I would like my application to instead be moved to the Regular Decision applicant pool.</p>
<p>The college search process is a ponderous one, and a commitment to a place as intellectually rigorous as XXXXX is a serious decision. Though I am very much interested in XXXXX College and consider it one of my higher choices, I’ve realized that I do not want to bind and commit myself to any single school, no matter how much I desire to attend. It is for this reason that I would like to shift my Early Decision II application to XXXXX College to a Regular Decision one.</p>
<p>I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience I may cause the XXXXX Admissions department and hope this change of heart will not negatively impact my application.</p>
<p>Oni, If I were you I'd tone down the drippingly apologetic tone of your letter. Simply state that after thinking about it, you're not ready to commit yourself and would appreciate it if they would change your application from E to R. Go on to tell them why you love their school and leave it at that.</p>
<p>As John & Paul sang I'm certain that it happens all the time. The school will just move your application from Pile A to Pile B. You won't be penalized.</p>
<p>PS, In my opinion "Sorry for the inconvenience caused" should be banned from the English language. :)</p>
<p>Do you feel it is overly apologetic? What specific parts of it feel apologetic? I think it's only the last paragraph (the one that starts "I sincerely...")</p>
<p>Oni, I'd cut the last two paragraphs and replace with a sentence or two about how much you like the college. If you are applying for financial aid you use that as a reason. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing so don't feel you have to apologize.</p>
<p>I'd send only the first paragraph; I think that's sufficient. The rest sounds like you're a supplicant, and you're not. It's a legitimate request.</p>
<p>Oh, and one more thing - send it with a Return Receipt from the post office, so that you will have proof that the office recieved the letter.</p>
<p>Dude, you don't need to go on and on and on like that. LOL. Nobody is going to read all of that. Simply say,</p>
<p>Dear ____,</p>
<p>I have applied to your school Early Decision, but have had a change of heart and wish to be moved to the Regular Decision pile. I hope this switch is permissible. </p>
<p>I just don't want to sound too impersonal or too overly sentimental. I've cut the last paragraph and am considering removing the third one, but I feel that if I did, then I would be too....Frank? Cold? </p>
<p>I'm aware that, when it gets right down to it, college admissions offices won't really care how personal or impersonal I get, but I really am quite in love with the school, and I want to retain that feeling in my application and letter. I fear that, once shifted to RD, the admissions office and team will see my app as a demonstration of lack of focus or determination since I switched applications. Of course, I know that statistically, my chance of admission goes down when being RD, but I just don't want THIS LETTER and change of heart to negatively impact me.</p>
<p>Hence the somewhat apologetic/sincere tone.</p>
<p>thoughts?</p>
<p>Thanks, btw, for all the advice so far! I appreciate it.</p>
<p>onilaw: After reading through your thread, it occured to me that you didn't specify when the EDII deadline is.....I'm not sure it would make a difference, since it is your option to change to RD, but if the ED II deadline is January 1st it is possible that they are on vacation and may not receive your letter until after the deadline....Not sure it makes a difference, but just keep that in mind....I know that this was a question on another thread referring to a change made from EDI to RD and most people recommended that the change be made prior to the application deadline, not necessarily the notification of admission deadline....</p>
<p>If the letter comes slightly after the deadline, but before the application is reviewed, it shouldn't be a problem.</p>
<p>I'd just write something along the lines of "While Reed is still a top choice for me, personal circumstances require that I switch my application from ED to RD." You don't have to explain anything else. Changing one's mind is a valid "personal circumstance." Whatever you do, don't beg!</p>
<p>I agree with Chedva's suggested language. IMO, paragraph 2 raises issues: are you afraid of the intellectual rigor of this school? Why do you find the process ponderous? They don't need to hear that.</p>
<p>On Thursday, December 20th, I mailed an Early Decision II application to Reed College. After more careful consideration of the binding nature of early decision, I have decided I would instead not like to apply Early Decision II to Reed College. I would like my application to instead be moved to the Regular Decision applicant pool.</p>
<p>While Reed is still a top choice for me, personal circumstances require that I switch my application from Early Decision II to Regular Decision. I’ve realized that I do not want to bind and commit myself to any single school, no matter how much I desire to attend. </p>
<p>I apologize for any inconvenience I may cause the Reed Admissions office.</p>