Let’s say someone is already accepted to college X, because they do rolling admissions (not ED or EA). Their deadline for giving them an answer is still months away. Now this same person later got into their ED school, and withdrew all his/her other applications. But college X had no application to withdraw, because he/her had already been accepted there. How quickly does the student need to let college X know that they are headed to their ED school and declining? Can one wait a little while, just in case some extenuating circumstance arises?
Let’s add another layer to this- a couple weeks after hearing the good news from his/her ED school, college X notifies the student that he/she was accepted into their honors program (which was unexpected).
I assume the student should let college X know ASAP that they are committed elsewhere, right? But no harm has been done to the student or the high school he/she is from?
The guidance is to withdraw all outstanding applications AND decline any acceptances upon ED admission.
Decline school X ASAP.
Agree with above. It is ethically wrong to keep your application to school X, and you need to decline the offer immediately.
Makes sense . Advised the same.
The only relevant extenuating circumstance is inability to afford the ED school on the financial package offered, which is independent of any other offers. As others have said, as soon as you know you can afford the ED school you withdraw any other applications and decline any previously offered places.