<p>So do most colleges keep the college applications they receive after the season is over? Just wondering. Or can it be dug up 20 years down the road and brought up in a court battle? (Zuckerberg) </p>
<p>I need to know just in case I become a internet billionaire and am sued for stealing source code. Oh, I wish. </p>
<p>Really, I'm curious. I don't like so much private, and in many cases, personal, information floating around especially in a society where authorities don't seem to be able to take care of it.</p>
<p>Given that the institutions all have records and privacy security protocols, I'd think that it'd be in their best interest to have "destroy/delete" dates from date of materials receipt. As most paperwork filed is immediately scanned into electronic form (the paper ones probably shredded immediately), one would hope/trust that they guard those e-documents well...</p>
<p>Some schools might keep them for awhile. My son applied to one school where he got a generous scholarship but chose to go elsewhere. He got a nice letter from the school stating that his acceptance and scholarship would be held for him for 2 years and if he changed his mind he could let them know and he would be eligible for transfer. My guess is that they kept his application materials at least while the offer was open.</p>