<p>Duhvinci: I take issue with your characterization of the OP as “trying to slither out of ed [sic].” Are you opposed to the specific phrasing of the Early Decision agreement that allows financial aid applicants to back out if the aid package is insufficient at the applicant’s discretion? I read your stance as saying, “If you apply ED, you should be prepared to pay full price.” This would mean that no applicants needing FA would ever apply ED.</p>
<p>To me, Early Decision is already historically elitist and the elite institutions have taken pains to slowly build up the comfort level of FA applicants who have their school as a clear first choice (and who might be highly qualified students that the institution would love to “bind”).</p>
<p>An applicant who requires financial aid is NOT “absolutely certain” of attending ANY school until the financial aid package is examined. The design of Early Decision allows for this uncertainty. If you think that is a bad policy, please take it up with admissions instead of bashing students who apply understanding the policy in good faith.</p>
<p>The “lines” of this game, so to speak, allow the OP to negotiate financial aid before committing to an ED acceptance. This is entirely ethical by the school’s own binding agreement.</p>