How binding is Wharton Early Decision?

Colleges & Universities University of Pennsylvania
21

<p>A couple of comments:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>HonorsCentaur’s “clear-cut answer” in post #12 is a little wrong. He’s right that Penn’s ED rules allow you to apply to as many other colleges EA as you want. He should have noted, however, that many popular colleges with EA programs will not let you apply EA if you are also applying ED to Penn (or anywhere else). Georgetown and Boston College have that rule, maybe others as well. Chicago, MIT, and Caltech don’t care.</p></li>
<li><p>Comparing financial aid offers is precisely what ED doesn’t let you do. If you are accepted at Wharton ED, you will have to make a decision by January 1. I believe that Penn will be very lenient with people who say “This financial aid package isn’t enough” before January 1, and will let them out of their ED contract even though by its terms Penn might be able to say that the family CAN afford the package. I also believe that Penn will work with applicants to find solutions to their problems, within reason. But Penn WILL require that you either walk away from Penn or withdraw your other applications by January 1, and that is going to preclude any kind of systematic aid-shopping. You can shop for a better aid deal, but only after you give up the possibility of going to Wharton.</p></li>
</ol>

22

<p>@JHS: this works perfectly because I was considering Chicago and MIT and their respective websites said you could apply to any other schools of your choosing.</p>

23

<p>Thanks everyone! So just to confirm…if you ask to be released for ED, you have to go to your state university?</p>

24

<p>You should really ask your regional admissions director. The information they give you will be much more defined than what you find here.</p>