<p>I have a very big dilemma and not much time to resolve it...</p>
<p>I applied to Stanford through the Questbridge scholarship program. On November 30, I didn't get the scholarship but my application was forwarded to regular decision.</p>
<p>I applied to upenn under early decision. I applied to the Jerome Fisher Program, but opted to apply to the Wharton Business school if i didn't get into the program. On December 14, I learned that I had been accepted to the Wharton business school under early decision.</p>
<p>On December 26, I received a letter from Stanford telling me that they are "holding my space" and that I would get my official acceptance letter in march so long as I continued performing well academically. </p>
<p>I hate to admit it, but prestige does matter to me. I am not 100% sure but I think the admittance rates for Stanford general admission and Wharton are about the same. </p>
<p>The thing is, I've been interested in business for the past few months...but I don't really know what business entails...I think that is why I'm interested in it. I don't know what it's about, but I've been dreaming about working on Wall Street and living in a New York City penthouse. </p>
<p>California of course has the nicer weather...</p>
<p>And will I get in big trouble if I back out on UPenn now? I haven't signed the final acceptance slip but I did sign the early decision contract.</p>
<p>And Stanford sent me an estimate for financial aid and it looks really good...whereas Penn hasn't sent me and estimate yet. </p>
<p>If I decide on Penn, I need to send the final acceptance slip soon and send it.</p>
<p>So...what school should I pick? Do I even have an option? Any advice at all?</p>
<p>But if I were in your situation, I'd choose Penn. I'd be obligated to attend Penn, under the ED agreement, unless it provides me with insufficient financial aid. That's the whole point of ED.</p>
<p>There are many threads on breaking the ED agreement; search the forums for them.</p>
<p>Yeah, you would probably also lose the spot at Stanford if you back out of Penn. Those schools do notify one another with the names of ED admits. Since you applied ED under questbridge, doesn't that mean your financial need at Penn will be met? You may have to talk to your HS counselor with this one. Or Pm sybbie- she is the CC guru of financial aid.</p>
<p>yeah thats the thing. stanford already sent me the financial aid estimate and its pretty good...that's why i'm so tempted.
and i technically got into stanford under RD, so why did they send my letter in late december?</p>
<p>moral hazard nonwothstanding, you face the thorny logistical issue in that Stanford is obligated to rescind your admission--which, since they have yet to officially admit you, is all the easier.</p>
<p>That being said, if you'd rather go to Stanford instead, please try so that someone more covetous of your Penn slot can have it.</p>
<p>I picked Penn CAS over Stanford and have no regrets. This is an amazing and unique institution. But I can certainly see why you and a majority of other cross-admits prefer Stanford.</p>
<p>thnks all of u for ur advice and for taking the time to read this post. i know it was long. oh well, i just found out that stanford doesnt have undergrad business...so lol. i guess my problem has resolved itself.
but thanks again for ur time. much appreciated. =)</p>
<p>I would personally want to go to Stanford, but Wharton is an amazing school and if you applied their early decision then you might as well go. If you do not have sufficient aid then drop out of it and hope Stanford still has your spot.</p>
<p>Hold onto your Stanford admission until you get your financial aid estimate from Wharton. One of the only ways you can get out of an ED contract is if the financial aid is inadequate. That may not be terribly likely because Penn generally meets 100% of need.</p>
<p>If you get adequate FA, go to Penn. Your signature is your pledge to go to Wharton; honor it.</p>