Early Decision second thoughts

As part of the AP Committee’s desire to proactively discuss ethics, we will be sending out monthly “case studies.” In these cases, we will offer a situation and discuss whether the issue is in compliance with NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good Practices (SPGP). Thanks to Corey Fischer, Director of College Counseling at Fredericksburg Academy (VA) and PCACAC AP Committee Member, for this month’s case.

If you have a question about a situation or SPGP, please contact amember of the AP Committee.

January Case: Jimmy is an exceptionally strong student and it is very important to him and his parents that he be accepted to the “top universities.” He has not settled on exactly which of these colleges he wants, but decides to apply Early Decision to NumeroUno University. After submitting his application, he heeds his counselor’s advice to continue working on his other applications in the event he needs to submit them. As he does this, he realizes he might prefer a different college. He is accepted in December and sends his deposit, but he and his parents decide to have him submit the other applications. Since they are all on the Common Application and all his credentials have been uploaded, he does not mention the new applications to his counselor.

The college counselor at the school Jimmy attends  is under significant pressure from the administration to beef up the number of highly ranked colleges on the school’s college acceptance list. When the counselor notices on the Common App that Jimmy has submitted other applications and has deposited at the ED college she tells him he needs to withdraw them. Jimmy says, “I am not sure I want to go to NumeroUno Univ. and my parents told me to send the other applications so we can see where I am accepted and decide where I will go.”

Your turn: What should the counselor do? Is this situation compliant with NACAC’s SPGP?

Discussion: There is a lot of gray area in this situation. The ED Agreement the student signed says, “If you are accepted under an Early Decision plan, you must promptly withdraw the applications submitted to other colleges and universities and make no additional applications to any other university in any country.” And the counselor, via her signature on the ED agreement, said she “advised the applicant to abide by the Early Decision commitment.” But, these are application specific rules.

According to SPGP Mandatory Practice III, B. 3, “Counselors will sign only one pending Early Decision or Restricted Early Action agreement, when applicable, for any student.” The counselor has followed this statement. But, Mandatory III, B. 5 states, “Counselors will not reveal, unless authorized, candidates’ college or university preferences.” Furthermore, SPGP Best Practices III, A. 5 states,  “All counseling members should counsel students and their families to notify and withdraw applications from other institutions when they have accepted an admission offer.” Again, the counselor has followed SPGP.

Please note, SPGP Interpretations of Mandatory Practices II. B. 10 does define Early Decision, but does not address this issue.  As a result, the onus for enforcing the ED agreement falls to the school and counselor. As can be seen, for schools this is a difficult situation though. Enforce the Early Decision definition or let the student apply to more colleges?

Conclusion: While there is no clear answer to this case, school counselors should consider this situation before it arises as Early programs continue to evolve. For example, should a school have a set policy concerning ED admission?

As you consider this question, counselors may want to look to the guiding principles, or SPGP Core Values, discussed in the NACAC SPGP Introduction. Two of the Core Values could provide perspective: “Collaboration: We believe the effectiveness of our profession, college counseling, admission, and enrollment management is enhanced when we work together to promote and protect students and their best interests,” and “Trust: We believe our profession, college counseling, admission, and enrollment management is based upon trust, mutual respect and honesty, with one another and with students.”  How could a counselor help build policies at the school that would help build on these professional Core Values while also remaining student centered?

Want to review previous case studies?

View all of the Admissions Practices Case Studies on The Anchor here.