<p>So, to make things short, I'm not entirely sure that early decision is truly binding. I read that if accepted early decision, you must attend that university with the only exception being financial considerations. So lets say I got into school A early decision. Lets say I don't go to school A for some reason outside of financial considerations. What's the school going to do, sue me because I've violated a signature? I just don't feel like a school can force you to attend. Can someone enlighten me on this?</p>
<p>If you back out of an ED accept, are you not going to go to another college? Who needs to send transcripts/recommendations? Oh, that HS that you just got blacklisted b/c you’re acting selfishly. That’s why savvy high schools tell ED applicants and their families that they’ll support you once only, if accepted and there is no legit way to back out. The school’s reputation is on the line too and they’ll exert every pressure on you because otherwise, they and future applicants pay the price.</p>
<p>If you’re already thinking along these lines, I can 100% tell you that you have no business thinking of applying ED.</p>
<p>Although this happens every year, but this is a really selfish move. It may ruin the reputation of your high school as the GC also signed on the agreement. On the other hand, you are not sure if this would do anything on the admission of the schools. Remember, you still need to submit mid-year and final school report to the school you are admitted and decided to go at the end. This requires the help of the school/GC. You may be rescinded if your school is reluctant to send the final report to any school other than the ED school.
Nevertheless, whether the school is financially affordable is often very subjective unless you get full scholarship. That leaves a door for those who want to escape from the binding agreement. For that, you need to notify the ED school early and get their agreement to discharge you from the agreement. That usually needs to be done way before you hear back from other schools at least for the financial aids. Basically, it would be just a waste of time and money to apply to an ED school that you are not committed to go.</p>
<p>The other colleges agree to the ED rules, and the other school could revoke your acceptance or financial aid. Just do EA if you don’t want to commit.</p>
<p>If you really don’t want to attend School A why would you apply ED? Certainly there are some instances where students decide to go elsewhere for other reasons than financial and the college can’t compel you to attend, but there is a chance of blow-back on your HS. </p>
<p>Agree with everyone else – don’t play this game. You are right that the school might not be able to sue you – but your second school might not agree to take you knowing you broke the ED of the first school; and since your guidance counselor has to sign off on the ED application noting that he or she understands and agrees that this is the #1 school you want to go to and that it is a binding agreement. If you go into this process already trying to game the system, you are placing your guidance counselor, and future students at your high school that may want to apply to that college, in a very difficult situation. Not fair.</p>
<p>Look guys I’m not playing this game ED is long gone. I was just curious.</p>