Early Decision Question - withdrawa?

Applying to College
1

<p>I have had a dream school ever since I was 8 so I've always lived with the thought: One day I'll apply early there. It's a top tier school, I'm an international student looking for full FA (very low income family, like <10K a year), got a mid-2100 SAT and high 600 subject tests, 3.95 UW GPA and several national and international awards which make me a really strong candidate. My sister also graduated that school four years ago. And while my SATs may be lacking, overall I'm a pretty good candidate.</p>

<p>So I applied. But then I found out about another school with so many more opportunities, also top tier, I applied Early Action to it (non-binding) in order to get an earlier reply so that if school#1 didn't accept me I still had a chance of sparing myself from writing an extra 15 essays. And then after my interview I loved it so much that I started regretting applying ED to the other school. Hoping that it will defer me or that the financial aid they offer won't be enough and I'll have an excuse to withdraw.</p>

<p>So yes, I made a mistake. Yes, I know it was a dumb move but at that time I genuinely considered school#1 as my first choice. Except it's not anymore. </p>

<p>I'll get a reply from both schools on December 15th and I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. School#2 has requested documents to prove my financial status, but the ED school hasn't yet so I'm guessing my FA info will come later than the actual admission. I know since both schools are top tier the chances of me getting in are still not 100%, but hypothetically speaking... If I get accepted to both, I'll definitely wait for school #1 to give me the FA award before I actually confirm I'm going. And in the mean time, I'll hope it's not enough so that I withdraw and go to #2 instead. But with the school being need-blind and me being so low income, I doubt they'd actually let me contribute in some way. The only way <em>out</em> seems to be a deferral or a wait-list.</p>

<p>So my question is...</p>

<p>What happens if both schools accept me, but withdraw from ED? In my opinion it's more of an ethical question, but I'm worried whether that would harm my other EA and RD choices, such as the college informing the rest of the schools and them, in turn, refusing to accept my application. Are there any known cases of ED withdrawals for unsubstantiated reasons (like, not FA but just a genuine change of heart)?</p>

2

<p>You have two options:</p>

<p>1) do nothing and live up to your agreement. But if the ED school accepts you, you withdraw your EA school application (if accepted or deferred) per the terms of your ED agreement.</p>

<p>2) Ask the ED school to remove you from ED consideration and have your application shifted to the RD round. Thus if your EA school accepts you can opt to attend. </p>

<p>You must decide quickly however. If the ED school decides, then you’re on the hook. You CAN NOT wait for the ED school to give you an answer before requesting a shift from ED to RD.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for the reply. Won’t asking them myself to basically defer them somehow hinder my RD application and lower my chances significantly during that round? Do you know whether anyone has actually done this in any school?</p>

4

<p>You’re overthinking this. If they want you, they’ll make an offer. Yes many people opt out of ED and ask to be switched to RD – the college wants you to feel most comfortable and do what works for your family. It does them no good to lock you in reluctantly. if they want you, they want you because you’re 100% happy.</p>

5

<p>

This happens very frequently.</p>