Commitment?

[mechengr2000]

There are two schools I want to go to. School A and School B.

School B has given me admission.

School A has waitlisted me.

If I make a commitment to school B, and then find out I got accepted at School A after April 15th, what are the penalties for going back on my word to school B? Can they do anything to me if I choose to go to school A instead?

[Eigen]

There are quite a few threads on this topic already.

The range of what they can do depends on the school- but it can be everything from "nothing" to requiring you to pay back a portion of the financial aid that they offered you for the next year (and now can't pass on to someone else).

Once you agree to go to a school, you are taking what was an informal offer (from the school) and turning into a legally binding agreement- you are agreeing to go to the school, they are signing off that they will admit you with whatever funding they've offered. Until you officially accept, the school is not bound to the offer, and neither are you. After you accept, you are both bound to it.

There have also been stories of the "second school" rescinding admission should the "first school" be miffed and contact them. If nothing else, it can effect your reputation within your field.

In the majority of cases, the school will probably let you out of the contract, but since it's a legally binding agreement, they can make it difficult for you if they choose.