Getting out of Early Decision

Hello! If I get accepted into a college through Early Decision but change my mind later or can't afford it, can I somehow get out of the binding agreement? What are the possible consequences?

Hello! Early Decision (ED) is a binding agreement, which means that if you are accepted, you're expected to attend that college and withdraw all other applications. However, there are some exceptions.

Financial aid is the most common reason students might be released from an ED agreement. If the financial aid package offered by the college does not meet your demonstrated need and attending the school would impose a financial burden on your family, you may appeal for more financial assistance. If the college is unable to meet your need, they may release you from the ED agreement.

If you do decide to back out of the ED agreement for reasons other than finances, there could be consequences. Colleges may communicate with one another, and if they find out you broke an ED agreement without a valid reason, other colleges may question your commitment and possibly withdraw admission offers or not admit you in the first place. That said, enrolling at a different institution after breaking an ED agreement isn't unheard of, but it's important to recognize the potential risks.

It's crucial that before applying ED, you are confident that the school is your top choice and you're comfortable with the possibility of attending regardless of the financial aid package. If you're unsure or believe finances could be a major obstacle, consider applying Early Action (EA) or Regular Decision (RD) instead, which are non-binding options.

To learn more about ED agreements, click here: https://blog.collegevine.com/is-early-decision-binding/

In conclusion, breaking an ED agreement should only be done under justifiable circumstances, such as financial concerns. Otherwise, there could be potential consequences that may affect your college admissions journey.