Right. Whether ED is a viable practice or whether universities are right in taking half of their class ED is a separate question. Particularly since this helps the university more than the applicant.
But let’s be real. Tulane’s response is not unique; the blackballing has been whispered about since I was in HS — and likely before. Now we know for certain it happens.
As I said at the outset, I’m sure there’s more to this story. I highly doubt that this is the first time these high schools had a Tulane ED accepted student reneg for an invalid reason. For sure, the student and parents are at fault, but they’re not attending Tulane, so they don’t give a fig what Tulane does to the high school. But the high school is at fault. Those GC recs, transcripts, and midyear reports didn’t send themselves to RD schools. And it’s not a case of an overworked GC with 1000 kids. Colorado Academy has 4 college counselors serving a graduating class of 106. Yeah it sucks if you’re a junior there and wanted to go to Tulane. But those those parents should go full Karen on the HS.