<p>I’ll add one thought to @MrMom62 ‘s (with whom I thoroughly agree). The very best and most competitive National Research Universities (predominantly private) can – and will – note individuals who unscrupulously renege on their ED commitments. Of course they can’t – and won’t – institute legal action, but students from those kids’ secondary schools may not be as well received for several future years. Universities feel this way because they expect GCs to explain to senior/parents both how serious the ED commitment really is and how stringently ED operates. When a university is accepting only about 10 percent of its applicants, they’re not exactly “hurting” for SUPERB candidates, which absolutely allows them to exercise their judgement and prerogatives with no penalty or risk. </p>
<p>In addition, @sherpa and @SiemensMIT, senior admissions administrators at first-tier NRUs know each other very well and communicate frequently. They also know the other schools to which an ED “reneger” has applied (from his financial aid information). Therefore, how difficult do you think it would be to advise peer institutions that “X played ED games,” operating unethically, which certainly isn’t propitious for X’s prospects? </p>