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Er… what? This is flat-out FALSE. Mythology indeed. The school can’t charge you anything for breaking ED, because you haven’t enrolled–you’ve made a binding ethical commitment to enroll, contingent on financial aid. Swat will meet your full demonstrated need, but even then some families discover that they can’t “afford” their EFC and will then withdraw.</p>
<p>HOWEVER. You will get your FA package quite soon after your acceptance, before you hear back from any RD schools–and you are expected to withdraw all other applications once you declare intent to enroll at Swarthmore. Peer colleges do share lists of accepted ED students. And if you renege on the agreement, your school can suffer consequences in future years. Basically, the commitment is a pledge of honor.</p>