Is this ILLEGAL?

[jesseo]

<p>So I was admitted to Berkeley and will most likely attend... but I was just wondering, since I was admitted for Spring (and I technically won't be considered a real Berkeley student until then... and I am also not doing the extension program), could I apply early to Penn this fall?</p>

<p>Because if I did, I would find out before the spring semester starts, and if I didn't get in, then whatever (no harm done), but if I did get in could I just blow off Berkeley and never show up? And then possibly tell them later that I'm not going to college (or something along those lines)?</p>

<p>Or, since I would have already sent in my intent to register, would applying to another college as a freshman be illegal?</p>

<p>Any help I can get would be great. Thanks.</p>

[taffyluchia]

<p>I don't think it is "illegal." However, you'll probably be on Berkeley's black list. Think twice before you do so if there's any chance of you going to Berkeley for grad school.</p>

[2bad4u]

<p>i dont think they have a blacklist</p>

[tlaktan]

<p>I am pretty sure they do. There is a serious question of ethics here.</p>

<p>Granted, it's unorthodox, and it's probably has been rarely attempted before. Nevertheless, it's completely unethical. And besides, the only way you'd be able to find out about Penn early is, of course, if you applied Early Decision. What if you were accepted? That whole contractual ED thing might become a mess for you.</p>

<p>I would say stay the course for Berkeley, go do something resourceful in your time off, and try for something else.</p>

<p>And yes, Berkeley does have a blacklist.</p>

[jesseo]

<p>Well yes, I would apply to Penn early. I'm saying that if I was accepted (and obligated to go, of course), could I just not show up at Cal in the spring? Would that have any repercussions, or would I just get lost in the bureaucracy and be able to go to Penn, without any pursuant troubles?</p>

[tlaktan]

<p>I am pretty sure UCB would like to know why you haven't shown up despite your deposit.</p>

<p>It's unethical. Theoretically possible, but unethical nonetheless.</p>

[college2332]

<p>people decide college "isn't for them" -- it is probably possible.</p>

<p>you can always go to berkley, pull good grades and transfer. i dont think anyone will shed tears either way....</p>

[aim78]

<p>I'd try it.</p>

[jesseo]

<p>Yeah, I'm going to talk to my counselor about it tomorrow. Then I guess we'll really find out if it's okay or not (I'm really only concerned if it's legal, because the ethics of the situation don't really bother me. And also, I don't really see why it's that unethical).</p>

<p>And also, I doubt Berkeley would have time to "check up on me" with the 24,000 other students they have to take care of. It's not like I'm going to some fancy private or small liberal arts school, so they probably don't have the time anyway.</p>

[2bad4u]

<p>I figure berkeley has way too many students and apps to have a blacklist, and im pretty sure like most different people do UG and grad admissions. If anyone could give evidence of a blacklist than give it. If you dont think he should do just say its unethical rather than creating an illusion to try to scare him into not doing it. (if you do it the boogeyman is going to get you)</p>

[Xanatos]

<p>If you apply to UPenn next year, even if you don't get in, if Berkeley finds out about it they will kick you out of their spring program. Colleges have clauses for deferral and spring programs that you won't apply or take credit courses at other degree-granting institutions.</p>

[xokandykyssesox]

<p>what's wrong with berkeley? its no "less" than penn... unless u are trying to get into the whole 7 year thing, no point in going to penn.</p>

[citygirlsmom]

<p>Its an interesting question, its not like Berkeley is hurting for applicants. As for ethics, I am not so sure this is unethical. Really. You would lose the deposit, sure. But Colleges are big business. You got a better deal. People don't show up ALL the time for college. For all kinds of reasons. With a campus that large, they would just write you off. The deposit is nonrefundable. I would bet that for the spring semester, many students end up not going because another school opened up, they started working, etc.</p>

<p>It like interviewing for a job. They don't want you enough to hire you right away, but want you to wait. </p>

<p>If you did get into Penn, I would tell Berkeley. Not showing up is rude, and there could be another student for the spot.</p>

<p>Really read the agreement you sign with your deposit. That will give you the answer. That contract is the most important thing.</p>

<p>I thoroughly believe in honesty and being straightforward, but with the college application process so screwed up now, its almost everyperson for themselves. </p>

<p>Just be sure and follow the rules.</p>

[wondrlst]

<p>Well you lose your deposit- I do not really see it to be very unethical, however, it isn't as if berkeley could have given your space to a waitlistee or something, as they do not have one. Do it if you really want to, though, i don't see why your chances at penn woudl be any better than before.</p>

[taffyluchia]

<p>Like what Xanatos said, if Berkeley finds out, they are very likely to kick you out. Stay in Berkeley, don't get yourself in to situation where neither school wants you.</p>

[ptmagnolia]

<p>go for it. then you'll be wondering if you coulda gone to Upenn.</p>

[sybbie719]

<p>Technically you are an admitted student at UCB as part of the class of 09. You haven't actually started you can't apply as a transfer. Your best bet would be to contact Penn directly to find out how the situation is handled. Personally I would post question on the parent's forum as you may find a parent that actually went through this with their student. I know that one student was accepted to schools that he changed his mind about, took a gap year reapplied and is now going to Princeton. But that is not the same situation as you are stating.</p>

<p>Check nonpoisonivy's scenario on this thread</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=56106%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=56106&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>All the best.</p>

[Northstarmom]

<p>"I'm really only concerned if it's legal, because the ethics of the situation don't really bother me."</p>

<p>Your lack of interest in ethics would be of great interest to both Berkeley and Penn.</p>

<p>I am sure that there's nothing illegal in what you're considering.
I think it's good that you plan to run your idea past your GC.
I also know that plenty of people back out of decisions to attend colleges because of deciding to go elsewhere. An example are people who decide not to go to a college because they got off another college's waitlist.</p>

<p>You wouldn't need to lie to Berkeley. You could simply say that you decided to go elsewhere.</p>

<p>From what I can figure out, the only time that it's problematic to back out of a decision to go to college is if one is trying to back out of a binding ED acceptance.</p>

[garland]

<p>NSM, I don't think he is saying that ethics don't bother him per se, but rather that he in his own mind doesn't think this is unethical, hence that's not the question he's asking.</p>

<p>I tend to agree. The only binding acceptance is an ED one. I would bet that Berkeley figures into the equation that some of the spring admits will change their minds and decide to go elsewhere.</p>

<p>But I would still read the fine print on his acceptance contract and his ED contract to be sure.</p>

[nkay]

<p>What's this about the Berkeley blacklist?</p>