<p>So I'm aware that some schools offer early decision or something that is binding -- you HAVE to go to that school if you're accepted.</p>
<p>My question is, what is being done to ensure that you only apply early decision to one school (that is binding), and what are the consequences if you somehow decide not to go after being accepted?</p>
<p>I'm thinking about applying to a bunch of schools, and just paying the consequences in order to ensure a higher chance of getting into a college.</p>
<p>When you get into a school ED, that school sends out your name to all of the other institutions in order to ensure that students don’t do things like that. Also, since colleges are academic peers with one another, it is in their best interest to abide by the ED agreement to keep in good standing with other institutions. Also, your school will be put in bad standing if your councilors allow you to do this. Meaning, it is also in your school’s best interest to not let you do this. I highly, highly recommend you don’t do this because you will be putting your own acceptance in jeopardy even if you only get into one of the schools early. If the college finds out that you even applied to another school ED, they very well may rescind your acceptance. </p>
<p>What you may do, however, is apply to one school ED and apply to other schools early action or rolling, if they offer it. Early action and rolling are non-binding options and won’t get you into any trouble</p>
<p>Ah ok, that makes sense. I definately won’t apply many places early decision now haha. Thanks for the explanation.</p>
<p>^ remember when you apply early decision you sign a legal contract
you can apply ea s with an ed but if you get in ed you must withdraw all other offers.</p>
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<p>Usually, but not always, for instance, Brown’s ED policy says:</p>
<p>[Brown</a> Admission: Regular & Early Decision](<a href=“Undergraduate Admission | Brown University”>Undergraduate Admission | Brown University)</p>
<p>“Early Decision is reserved for applicants who have not applied to any other Early Decision or Early Action programs (Ivy League or non-Ivy League institutions). Brown reserves the right to withdraw the applications of Early Decision applicants who do so.”</p>
<p>Most rolling admissions are OK, but the main thing to know is that while generalities are OK, you really have to go to the website of colleges you’re interested in and read first hand what their individual policies are.</p>