In November, like most students, I applied to college. I submitted early decision applications to several schools not thinking that I would get into more than one of them.
Last week, to my surprise, I got into Dartmouth, Brown, and Cornell. If any of them find out that I violated the agreement, I might get blacklisted everywhere. I’m lost right now—I’m ecstatic that I got into these schools, but I’m not too optimistic about actually being able to go to any of them. I’m sure someone else has been in this situation before…any advice and what do you think is gonna happen?
Yes, time to start thinking about a backup plan for Regular Decision applications, many of which are due in a couple of weeks, if you aren’t already applying to some.
Fwiw, this isn’t something most students do, for a very good reason.
Did you, your parents, school advisors not know you were doing this, and the potential consequences, or did they decide to do it anyway?
You have a problem on your hands as you knowingly violated the ED requirements in addition to knowingly and willingly misrepresented yourself in the application process by applying to more than one school ED.
All schools are on the common app, which specifically states:
I appreciate the responses and understand why my decision seems wrong, but there’s a little more to it. My guidance counselor told me that the Early Decision Agreement can be voided in certain circumstances—mine would be not being able to pay the tuition.
I really can’t stress enough how bleak my chances of getting into any of these schools—let alone all three—seemed. My grades were strong, but my standardized testing scores were not exceptional and I didn’t have much in the way of extracurriculars. I knew that working two part time jobs to support my injured mother and sister made a compelling story, but I never expected it to reconcile the gulf in class between myself and other more deserving students.
I didn’t expect to get admitted into any of these schools, much less be able to pay for the education. I was just hoping for a stroke of luck that would land me a scholarship. That’s why my mother, guidance counselor, and I were shocked when Brown and Dartmouth offered me full scholarships with room and board included; Cornell promised to cover the tuition.
I’m really disappointed that I won’t be able to follow my dreams at these amazing institutions because of a lapse in judgement and am genuinely sorry if I took anyone’s spot. My counselor advised me to start looking internationally because I could escape the blacklist and pursue a more affordable education. As much as I want to trust my counselor, his previous advice is part of the reason why I lost sight of perhaps the fastest way out of the poverty that’s plagued my family for generations. Does his advice sound good or should I look elsewhere? At this point, should I consider trade school?
If we can’t trust you to abide by the simple ED rule, why should we believe anything else about your applications and who knows what else you might have lied about to get in? Frankly I would be disappointed in the process and in the schools who took you if the ydid not rescind your admission. If it was an honest mistake on your part, well, that just means you are naive and maybe need a year or more of maturing before you are ready for college.
Although I tend to agree that this whole post seems fake…
If it’s not fake, I really do wonder how many kids game the system by sending multiple ED’s and don’t get caught…
Cornell would not award a financial aid package that promises to “cover the tuition.” They award a specific dollar amount unrelated to whether it “covers” any particular portion of the cost of attendance.
I have a really hard time believing this. A guidance counselor at your HS told you it was OK to apply ED to three schools? What part of the country are you in?