<p>What if you apply to a school early decision, get accepted, but don't go? I mean, what can they do to you? I was just wondering.</p>
<p>they report it to other schools i think, so you probably won't get into a good school, plus it absolutely ruins your schools reputation, so kids from your school probably won't be able to get in ED. i know that some kid at my school didn't go ED like, 20 years ago, and my counselors/school is still begging for forgiveness.</p>
<p>Back when georgetown had ED, someone from my school applied there and decided not to go. Almost one decade later, I don't think a single person has gotten into Georgetown from my school. </p>
<p>I've seen the applicants too. Its not like they had a disadvantage in scores, grades, or anything. They all had a good shot and NONe of them got in</p>
<p>wow that's pretty unfair to applicants of later generations....especially if that particular school is their dream school or something =/</p>
<p>I don't believe they do anything. It's not a legally binding contract in the sense that you are committed to paying them a semester's tuition or anything. You will probably lose your $500 deposit if you don't show up, but still... it's not unheard-of for people to withdraw from their ED-accepted school, usually for financial aid reasons (or, of course, for taking a year off). Happens to 3-5 people every year at top programs with ED.</p>
<p>And they certainly don't report it to other colleges. After the collusion lawsuits of the 1980s, they keep a tight wrap on all of that sort of thing. The inference about screwing your high school seems a bit of a stretch, too - surely adcoms are open-minded enough not to keep a vendetta against a high school just because of one 'bad apple'. That would be so unprofessional of them it might get them in trouble, I'd imagine.</p>
<p>Keeping an ED agreement is like keeping your word. It's an honor thing. Most people choose to keep their honor above reproach.</p>