<p>hmm. Well, she's the director of financial aid, so I assumed she knew what she was talking about. She didn't have any reason not to tell me the truth
:confused:</p>
<p>It's a LAC in NJ and probably not on the level of the schools being discussed on this thread. So I would assume it varies from school to school.</p>
<p>DrDrewsmom:</p>
<p>No, what I'm confused about is the deposit. Does that LAC require a deposit at the time of ED admission?</p>
<p>well now you got me wondering :) , so I went to their website and googled early decision:</p>
<p>
[quote]
You may choose to apply to one of two Early Decision deadlines at (XYZ). Students who apply by December 1 will be notified no later than December 24 ; those who apply by January 15 will be notified no later than February 15 . If you are admitted Early Decision to (XYZ), you must submit a $300 enrollment deposit within 3 weeks of notification. Admitted students who do not submit this deposit within the three-week period will forfeit their offer of Early Decision admission and will not be considered again for Regular Decision admission.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So it appears that she possibly meant that if they sent in their money (actually $300) and then changed their mind, they lose the deposit.</p>
<p>i think that's it - ed admittees have to send in their deposit well before rd decisions are out - and presumably they won't "change their mind" until after they have another acceptance which would probably come during the rd rounds.</p>
<p>PanhandleGal, it's not a diss at state schools, it's how the high-end schools using ED view schools as their peers. Please read Mini's post #20 again. For some ED schools, I'm guessing that the UVA, U/Michigan, UCLA, and UC Berkeley would also be regarded as "peer" schools...all public.</p>
<p>LHOD, LOL about "highest institution of learning." I picked U/Wyoming as a stand-in for two reasons, one being that I thought it so obscure that it was unlikely to be anyone's "home" school. LOL...Murpy is powerful.</p>
<p>GSP, no, the ED school doesn't own you but you agree to the rules of the game when you apply. If you don't like the rules, then don't play by that system. Enough people do who think they have an out because They're So Special and/or Rules Apply to Other People Only.</p>
<p>Enough people do who think they have an out because They're So Special and/or Rules Apply to Other People Only.</p>
<p>Along with As a Matter of Fact I DO own the Road!</p>
<p>DrDrewsmom:</p>
<p>Ah. Thanks for verifying. It would appear that that particular LAC does not consider the ED application in the same light as some others I know of, and that the agreement is not considered valid until the applicant sends in the deposit.</p>
<p>I suspect that many if not most ED schools do not, in fact, go after applicants who renege; but they may. Just as the fact that the police do not always catch culprits may embolden some to transgress, but the possibility that the police might serves as a deterrent to others.</p>
<p>TheDad: Actually, mini's post (as I remember it) simply pointed out Columbia's (or any Ivy's?) rules. You were the one who felt you needed to add/name a particular public university to illustrate the point, repetitively--which, I agree with panhandle, was completely unnecessary. I daresay, had someone posted something similar, substituting any of the small liberal arts colleges (i.e., otherwise known in many circles as SLACs), you and others would be the first to point out the arrogance and ignorance of a post like that, no?</p>
<p>I didn't take offense about the reference to UWyoming but wasn't about to let it pass, either. (insert silly icon of choice)</p>
<p>The earlier post suggesting the student in question contact the school and back out of ED right NOW is the right advice for the OP. </p>
<p>You will not be penalized for a change of heart prior to the decision being mailed. It is ethically the right thing to do, and it will open up a spot for a kid who would actually be committed to attend.</p>
<p>Jack, you're right: I could have substituted Slippery Rock. Luck of the draw. It's an illustration. It's valid. Get a grip.</p>
<p>Columbias Early Decision Program</p>
<p>If you are willing to make a binding commitment to Columbia as your first choice, you may apply under the Early Decision Program. All your application documents must be postmarked by November 1. You must have all standardized testing completed by the November test date, and you must be very certain to have your scores reported directly to Columbia by the testing agency. See the Required Standardized Testing section.</p>
<p>In mid-December you will be notified of the results of your Early Decision application. Please note:</p>
<ol>
<li>If you are admitted under the Early Decision program, you are obligated to accept Columbias offer of admission. Only students who (after consultation with the Financial Aid Office), cite financial reasons for not attending, will be released from the Early Decision agreement. Once you accept Columbias offer of admission, you may file no further college applications and must withdraw any applications that have already been submitted. In addition, your name will then be shared with other institutions, so that they are aware of your acceptance to Columbia. According to National Association for College Admissions Counseling guidelines, while pursuing admission under an Early Decision plan, students may apply to other institutions, but may have only one Early Decision application pending at any time. While Columbia does not necessarily encourage the filing of both Early Decision (binding) and Early Action (non-binding) applications, we do not prohibit candidates from doing so. However, candidates should be aware that Columbias Early Decision program is a binding agreement and a candidate will be expected to enroll, regardless of any pending applications (early or otherwise).</li>
</ol>
<p>I must have missed the part about public schools. It also looks to me that there is a small out if finances are a problem.</p>
<p>(The part about public schools was in their FAQs, though I haven't looked lately. That's also where they say they only have 1 or 2 a year - there is an out for finances, but only for non-competitive schools.)</p>
<p>TheDad: Actually, to answer the OP's question, your illustration was completely unnecessary. (And according to post #32, perhaps not even "valid.") Others managed to answer the question without the need to denigrate. But, okay. I'll try to "get a grip" over here--or if not a grip, maybe at least a gaffer :)</p>
<p>Jack:
Vice President and Mrs. Cheney have both informed me--in separate emails, no less--that they share your annoyance with TheDad over his careless batting around of the U of Wyoming's good name.</p>
<p>It's been said before, but I'll say it again... ED is for students who have a very clear first choice school.</p>
<p>ED should not be used in some kind of game-theory-based admissions exercise. Unfortunately, in today's competitive admissions environment, you have students intentionally going ED at schools that aren't at the top of their list. The logic goes, "I'd like to attend Ivy A, B, C, or D. I'm not a sure thing at any of them. My favorites are Ivy A and B, but I doubt if I have much of a chance there even if I apply early. Instead of 'wasting' my early application on Ivy A or B, I'll apply ED to Ivy D. It's not my first choice, but I think I've got a decent chance if I apply early."</p>
<p>Is it any wonder that students have second thoughts and we see posts asking, "How do I get out of my ED commitment?"</p>
<p>driver: Very funny. I know nothing about Wyoming--the University or the State. I've never laid eyes on either. But now that you mention it, I guess both Univ of Wyoming and Yale have a lot of explaining to do, huh?</p>
<p>As far as ED, I think the whole concept should be abolished. EA seems fine to me, but ED benefits only the institution, in my opinion. Students change so much, just in that last senior year of high school, that applying ED seems really foolish and, I think, is a real disservice to all-- except the institution. My 2 cents.</p>
<p>1) The Ivy my D was ED accepted last year did not require a deposit immediately after acceptance like the LAC referred to earlier. It is an agreement that you freely enter into and are expected to honor.
2) The HS is also aware of the ED application and agrees to stop the admission process for the ED candidate once accepted. The HS does not want to irritate the highly selective ED school either. So how are you going to get a guidance counselor letter when you have been accepted ED at another school?
3) Contract law is interesting as the kid often is only 17 when he or she 'signs' the ED agreement. I don't think it is legally enforceable. It is just a practice accepted in the industry and other highly selectives honor 'the deal." A great way for the kid to grow up and live by his or her decision. Adults are expected to do so every day (it is called contradct law). Don't send the application unless you are 100% sure you will go if accepted. Like life, ED is not a game.</p>
<p>jack,</p>
<p>It is not so easy. The book, The Early Admission Game, documents a significant statistical advantage by applying early (roughly the equivalence of another 100 points on the old SAT). Therefore, forego the early round and significantly reduce your admission odds.</p>
<p>There is a lot in it for the student to apply early.</p>