<p>“well do you have experience with this situation? i just don’t get why you jump to conclusions.”</p>
<p>You’re right, without experience with Columbia, I do assume they would follow the common app FA rules.</p>
<p>“a student can’t assume they are released from their commitment if they aren’t going to message the university.”</p>
<p>That’s what “decline” means, tell the school you decline their offer. You are then released to apply RD to another school.</p>