<p>(The early decision (ED) condition notes that you have to pay $400 by Jan 15, and the website seems to say that the offer will be withdrawn.)</p>
<p>1) Is it true that if the deposit is not in by Jan 15, the offer is withdrawn and you are off the hook?</p>
<p>2) When I called a few weeks back the lady noted that one can withdraw even after paying the $400 fee, except that you lost the $400 fee.</p>
<p>I thought ED is binding, but wondered if these two are valid routes for backing out w/o any negative consequences except for the possibly forfeiting $400.</p>
<p>ED is binding unless the offered financial aid is insufficient to support attendance. You should get the offer before being required to deposit (and withdraw other applications).</p>
<p>Option 1 - If you do not send in your $400, offer will be withdrawn. Also, you can simply call admissions and tell them your intent to not pay and would like to withdrawl offer.</p>
<p>If you don’t intend to attend VT then call VT and decline the offer. VT can then open up a spot for another deserving applicant. Holding your offer to see whether anything better comes along would be unethical.</p>