The College Decision Timeline is Out of Control

What happened to ethics? This has been a year like none I’ve ever experienced in the world of college applications. Almost two weeks have passed since May 1st and still it has not settled down. Quite the opposite, actually. Things I’m reading appear that both the college side and the families are out of control. Schools are making offers, students are bailing on commitments, no one is feeling any obligation to the norms we counted on for so long.

I am on many discussion boards, chat groups, and email distribution lists pertaining to college admissions. I am a member of several associations and subscribe to various newsletters that helped me form the business values I am proud to uphold. Everywhere I look, though, people are sharing information that goes against what I thought was standard. We encourage students to apply early so they get their decisions early. That was before most decisions were deferred. Now they are still waiting in March and April, and just when we think it’s over we hear that more and more universities are reaching out to offer more money or take you off a waitlist. On Facebook the other day someone mentioned that their student was told they would be offered a spot if they can confirm they would take it. They did everything right. Applied before November 1st, showed demonstrated interest, submitted their letter of continued interest, and finally chose another school. Bought swag, went to meetups, found a roommate, and now after all is said and done, back to the drawing board. As if life is not difficult enough for a teenager!

Then there is the other side. Parents this year asked me on more than one occasion if Early Decision is legally binding. Of course, the police will not show up to your house and arrest you for changing your mind, but it is an obligation. A morally binding contract, which I guess has little sway over families these days. And why should it if the schools themselves are bending the rules? I am torn about holding families accountable for abiding by the rules that the universities are prepared to break. Isn’t a student’s future more important than your yield? If the worst thing that happens is losing an enrollment deposit I guess I can understand why people are feeling less of an obligation.

Double depositing is another issue I am seeing this year. If you need to deposit to guarantee housing I can understand how this becomes an issue. My own son was accepted to a college that was not his first choice but was in his top five, received his acceptance letter but was told housing would be offered in the order in which deposits are received. We were facing this very dilemma. It is unfair to have rules that are nearly impossible to follow. When I work with students I tell them one tush gets one seat. The playing field is not simple anymore though. I want to go back to simpler times, when ethics mattered and people played by the rules. The college application process was fractured before this year. Now I am worried the breaks are getting worse, and I am truly concerned about what will come next. How can we guide future applicants in an honest and transparent way if we do not believe in the system ourselves?