<p>Christie2 is right about the link. I was mostly talking about that but also, there were examples last year too that involved less wide-spread school specific practices than those which are discussed at length in the link. </p>
<p>There are a number of schools that as a competitive recruiting practice will put on the early squeeze to go after who they identify early as top prospect. I know that there is a practice at least one school, and possibly more that suggests that “this offer is good now but not necessarily good if you wait until 5/1.” </p>
<p>Be careful about that message if you run into it. Especially if you are a really talented male. Ignore it if you want to unless it comes from your dream school that you with ease will commit to. In any case, whatever school is implying that the deal needs to be sealed, will probably wait and welcome you with open arms even if your “yes” comes on 5/1. I’d like to think the same applies for the really talented females that get the same message but I’m less sure things work that way for females. </p>
<p>I’m not sure why schools get away with squeezing for an answer before 5/1 but be aware, some will try to and apparently are getting away with it.</p>