<p>I agree with Chedva and DespSeekPhd that exhanging lists isn’t like medical information at all. Leaving aside analogies, schools are exchanging lists of students who have contractually bound themselves to attend if accepted. Applicants choose to apply because there can be advantages to early decision. We expect colleges to honor the agreements they make with students. (Imagine the outrage if a student who was accepted ED had his offer rescinded to make room for a more impressive RD applicant.) Students should honor their agreements as well.</p>