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PG, your kids seem to have been absolutely certain what they wanted in October, applied ED and never looked back. Not every kid is like that. My younger son thought he wanted a school bigger than his high school, but was impressed enough by Vassar to leave it on his list, even though he suspected it was too small. He applied to Georgetown, even though he wasn’t quite sure if it was too Jesuit. He applied to Chicago, but he’d never been to the midwest and didn’t want to spend the time and money to visit unless he got in, and then when he got in early, didn’t want to go visit in the dead of winter and be prejudiced against it. He waited till April to make the final decisions. Vassar seemed even smaller by spring senior year, but he wanted to keep an LAC in the mix. Chicago was stunning in April, and they’d sent all sort of enticing materials for six four months. He still loved American and it would have cost half of what his other choices cost. Deciding on Tufts was not easy. OTOH he didn’t apply to his second safety, since he figured he’d go to Chicago over it. </p>
<p>You cancel your dinner reservations on whatever timetable is appropriate. The colleges tell you they don’t need to know until May 1. We all know they over accept. If you are positive you aren’t coming sure, withdraw the application, but many kids aren’t, and many may be embarrassed to tell their friends that the reason they are waiting is because money is important.</p>