Taboo College Admissions Issues

<p>This is a very taboo subject in the college admissions world but I don't know what to do -- I applied to a school ED, and I still like the school, but I am positive that it is no longer my first choice. I would rather go somewhere else. Has this happened to anyone? What do I do? Please don't call me an idiot or anything, it seemed like a good idea at the time and I do still like the school a lot, I would be happy there I think, I just don't want to be bound to it when it's only my 2nd or 3rd choice. Someone help.</p>

<p>You could always email your adcom at the college and tell them to roll your application into the regular decision pool. I don't know if that'll look bad or not, but its worth a shot.</p>

<p>This is the reason why I never considered doing ED to any schools this year. Alot of the time you eventually end up changing your mind when you hear some bad stuff about the school, or when you visit or hear awesome things about schools a bit lower on your list. When you do ED, you basically are given no freedom.</p>

<p>yeah, that was smart, but guidance counselors and the whole admissions process makes it seem like not applying ED somewhere is throwing yourself into the cold without a jacket.</p>

<p>how do i go about withdrawing ED or rolling my application to RD?</p>

<p>
[quote]
Guidance counselors and the whole admissions process makes it seem like not applying ED somewhere is throwing yourself into the cold without a jacket.

[/quote]

That's what I HATE about early decision. Students think they have to apply early somewhere, and they rush into a commitment. You're not the only one who's done that, unfortunately. </p>

<p>I would call the admissions office, and call them now. Ask to be put in the RD pool. No, it's not going to look that good, but it's 10x better than being bound to a school you're not sure about.</p>

<p>i disagree, it depends on the situation, if this is a reach school that you still really like that you could probably get in only under ED such as UPenn, and u still love it, keep in the Ed round. If this other school that you would rather go to such as Harvard and you know you can't get in, it would be pointless to bow out of ED and you will regret it.</p>

<p>Don't worry anonymous88, this occurs more commonly than you think. Pick up the phone tomorrow and call the admissions office of the ED school. You don't need to explain anything, just ask them to consider your application in the RD round rather than ED. Then follow-up with an e-mail or letter confirming your request. Most schools are so overworked at this time that they don't mind at all doing this and it will not be held against you.</p>

<p>Thank you all for your input!</p>

<p>In the end, I decided to stick with my decision. Sometimes it's my first choice, sometimes it isn't - but if I'm that fickle, then I don't think it's a good idea to make another decision that I could regret. Sure, it would be nice to be 100% positive of my decision, but I don't feel like I'm settling. There is a reason I applied early there in the first place.</p>

<p>I think one of the 'taboo' issues is that many students could be happy and do well at many places! </p>

<p>The narrowing-down process is very hard, and making the final choice is a challenge, and it's understandable to want to distill it into "wrong places" and "right places." People like to validate their final choice by inventing or magnifying the flaws of the institutions they don't choose. </p>

<p>And for some, that can raise doubts later, because a part of you recognizes that you and/or your peers may have exxaggerated the differences between schools in order to make your ED choice or narrow down your app list.</p>

<p>But honestly, I believe for many students there isn't a wrong choice on their lists. With a good attitude they can have a wonderful four years at any one of them. I hope very much that's the case for you, and that even though other universities may seem increasingly attractive, the one you're set to go to in the Fall is still a wonderful fit for you.</p>