early decision fine print

Applying to College
1

i am slightly confused about early decision, and after reading the fine print of UF’s early decision contract, i am even more baffled.

i was under the impression that early decision, as a binding contract, means that, if you receive a letter of acceptance, and subsequently choose to enroll there, you must withdraw all other applications immediately and (with UF at least) send a tuition deposit within about 30 days…so it essentially guarantees the university that you are going there.

however, when i read UF’s fine print, it says:

“Applicants who choose to apply for early decision must agree to enroll at the university if admitted and to withdraw applications to other colleges.”.

and also

“Applicant: I am applying to the University of Florida as an early decision applicant. If I am offered admission under the early decision plan, I agree to withdraw all applications to other colleges and universities. I have read this contract and I understand my rights and obligations.”

does this mean that, if you do early decision, and receive an acceptance letter, you MUST enroll and withdraw all other applications?

i thought college acceptances were only “offers” of admission…

am i reading into this too much?

2

<p>Early Action-This plan is similar to the early decision plan; however, students notified of admissions need not accept the college’s offer of admissions but may file other applications.Several features to remember are:

  • early action candidates can be rejected
  • no financial awards are made until April
  • candidates must have superior records, as the process is highly selective.</p>

<p>Early Action - Single Choice. There are a few colleges that have this plan. Under Single Choice, you may only apply to one college Early Action. Harvard, Yale, and Stanford are among the colleges that use this plan.</p>

<p>Early Decision–Early decision is a plan under which you may submit your credentials early to a college, usually by November 1 of your senior year. You are notified of your status by Mid-December.As part of an early decision plan, you are required to sign a statement agreeing to accept an offer of admission from that school if it is made.</p>

<p>Regular Admissions–The regular admissions process is the plan under which you submit your credentials during December or January.Your application is evaluated during February and March, and you are notified of your status by April 15.Most students apply to college under this plan.</p>

<p>Rolling Admissions–Rolling admissions is the plan under which candidates submit credentials at their convenience up to a certain date, usually January 1.They receive an offer of acceptance of rejection within four weeks.</p>

3

<p>So if I apply Early Decision to UF, and Early Action to UChicago, and am accepted to both, what happens?</p>

4

<p>You would have to attend UF because Early Decision is binding. Early Action is not binding.</p>

5

<p>If you tried to skip out of your commitment to UF and to attend U Chicago instead, U Chicago could withdraw your acceptance (since you had a binding commitment to some place else. Harvard does this when it learns that students have gotten in ED elsewhere).</p>

<p>In addition, your GC and your peers probably would despise you. Your peers would despise you because UF might take out on them your backing out of your ED commitment. Colleges have been known to reject stellar students because other students from the school backed out of ED commitments.</p>

<p>Your GC also would be very angry because UF would blame the GC because it might think that the GC either didn’t make sure you understood what ED means or that the GC encouraged you to back out of your commitment. </p>

<p>Since the GC has to send other paperwork after you’re accepted and may be able to help you in other ways (such as with scholarship apps and other honors), it’s wise to remain on your GC’s good side.</p>

6

<p>Does UF allow you to apply EA elsewhere?</p>

7

<p>Is there any real advantage to applying EF at UF (scholarships designated only for ED students, etc)?</p>

8

<p>If you have grades and test scores high enough that you are applying to UChicago, I question whether there is any reason for you to apply Early Decision to Florida since you likely have a good chance of admission without doing so and which you should only do if you are certain that is definitely the college you want to attend over all others. If you are accepted, you must attend Florida and immediately withdraw all other applications.</p>

<p>Florida allows you to apply Early Action but not Early Decision elsewhere. UChicago’s EA program allows to apply EA or ED elsewhere.</p>