I will be applying to Cornell Early Decision so as to make full usage of my legacy status, yet I also would like to attend a certain university in Britain. If I do get accepted ED to Cornell, would I be able to decline it for the foreign university?
Ethically, no.
Can you do it- yes. You’ll lose any money put down and any credibility should you ever apply to that school for anything again.
Should you do it- that’s up to you.
Some of the UK universities recognize the US ED system, so find out whether or not the one you like does.
You can apply to as many places as you like, in addition to the ED institution. However you are only expected to back out of an ED admission if the ED institution proves to be unaffordable (fortunately, you get to define what you think is affordable) or there has been another significant life change that makes attendance at the ED institution impossible.
Since you don’t like Cornell enough to make it your flat-out no-matter-what first choice, don’t apply ED. Your legacy status will still count there as an RD applicant.
You should not apply anywhere ED unless you are fully committed to attend the college.
It’s not just your credibility that’s on the line, it’s also your high school’s. Your guidance counselor has to sign the ED agreement, along with you and your parents. If you get into Cornell early and the back out, you make your GC look bad and harm the chances of any other kid from your school for some number of years after who applies early or otherwise needs a GC from your school to be believed by Cornell.
It’s not my story to tell, so I won’t go into detail, but something happened at my son’s high school this year that makes it very clear that when someone official from the school tells a college “he’ll attend if he’s admitted” and then the kid doesn’t follow through, the adcoms notice and are MAJORLY PISSED.
I hope you’re not even remotely that kind of person.
You can apply to both but if you get into Cornell and it’s affordable, you must go there. If they don’t offer sufficient financial aid you can back out of the deal (after asking for another estimate) but not 'because unfortunately into another university ’ .
I agree with @MYOS1634 That is the correct answer to this.
Are application deadlines the same? ED Cornell would be decided in mid-dec…when would you apply for the british Uni?
British Universities usually have a Jan deadline.
^ this OP is likely applying to Oxbridge (deadline in October).
In Cornell’s own words, “Early decision at Cornell is a binding commitment.” It’s as simple as that. @MYOS1634 is correct - your only allowed cause for backing out is insufficient financial aid.
The cleanest path here, if UnnamedBritishUniversity is your actual first choice, is to apply regular decision to Cornell and accept that whatever legacy advantage you sacrifice in doing so is the cost of maintaining integrity in your commitments.
Why do you think the school should give you the benefits of ED when you are unwilling to accept the disadvantages? You are signing a contract that says you will attend if accepted. If you were to be accepted and then got a letter stating that Cornel found someone they preferred so they were rescinding you I bet you’d be furious.
Wait – If the Oxbridge deadline is October, the OP would have to apply to both; otherwise, if Cornell didn’t come through he/she wouldn’t have a shot at the British school.
I think the thing to do is apply to both, and withdraw your application from Oxbridge if Cornell accepts you ED.
@NerdMom88
The OP states that s/he would like to rescind commitment to Cornell if accepted to the British school. That is against ED rules. APPLYING isn’t the problem. Wanting Cornell to honor the ED policy but not honoring it his/herself is the problem.
@KKmama I saw that, but I was reacting to those who said not to apply at the British school at all until hearing back from Cornell ED. That wouldn’t work.