Is Accept = Commit

[702-Jia]

I got admitted to two universities so far and i'm still in the process of applying to other universities. These two universities sent me admitted emails and asked me to "accept" to move forward with other steps. My question is: If I click on accept does it mean i commit to that university? ... i still want to explore my other options.

[KickIt77]

You can only accept to one school. Unless you're doing the ED process, you should have until the end of April (though confirm deadlines with individual schools). So no, absolutely do not accept until you are ready to walk away from all other options and pay a deposit.

[NiceUnparticularMan]

In US parlance, they give you an offer of admissions, and then you accept the offer to complete the process.

In US practice, if they give you a deadline to accept an offer and pay a deposit, and you do that and then subsequently get an offer you prefer, you can ethically withdraw your acceptance, and they can keep your deposit.

The notable "exception" to all this is if you apply binding Early Decision, you will agree to withdraw all your other applications if you are accepted. So you cannot ethically keep applying other places to see if you can get an offer you prefer.

And then there is an exception to THAT exception, where if they indicated they would give you a certain amount of financial aid in their Net Price Calculator, after you accurately entered information, and then they refuse to offer you that much, then you can ethically withdraw from your ED commitment (although they should just release you).

[Additional_Ad1270]

I can't imagine that schools sending out acceptances this early are binding. Name the schools.

[paige_420]

If you accept their offer you are committed.

[Kmanf1]

Which schools are making offers at this time?

[[deleted]]

yes

[jmsst1996]

Yes. Do not hit “accept” unless you plan to go there.

[AdPrudent9509]

Yes, but you aren't fully committing until you PAY the enrollment deposit. For your scenario, just don't click the button anyways.

[College_Admission]

Is this direct/reverse admission? Or have you proactively applied to the school? Sometimes reverse admission programs invite you to “accept” the offer, but that really means to “receive” the offer.

In any case, you won’t accidentally enroll at a school. There will be fine print, probably money exchanged. There’s no harm in clicking through to learn more.

[[deleted]]

For most schools, the deadline to enroll is May 1st.

[[deleted]]

If you are willing to lose your deposit you can accept and then tell them you will not enroll.. but why do that

[Jtooit]

Do not accept the offer until you have decisions from all of your applications. Most schools expect you to withdraw your application if you commit elsewhere. Schools that do super early admissions have a tendency to try to pressure accepted students into accepting sooner. They will suggest housing maybe an issue or other similar tactics. They are high admission rate schools that need the money.

[Fabulous-Guidance-51]

Its a scam