Sign Early Decision agreement (student + parent + counselor)

Overview

If you're applying Early Decision (ED), the Common App requires the Early Decision Agreement to be signed by three parties:

1. You, the student
2. At least one parent or legal guardian
3. Your high school counselor

This agreement is legally binding (well, contractually binding - there's no jail for breaking it, but there are consequences). If you're admitted ED, you must withdraw all other applications and enroll at that school, unless the financial aid package makes attendance impossible.

The Three Signatures

Student signature: You sign acknowledging you understand the binding nature.

Parent/Guardian signature: A parent signs acknowledging they've committed financially. This is where families sometimes stumble - parents assume "maybe" when the contract means "yes."

Counselor signature: Your high school counselor must confirm they understand you're applying ED (so they don't accidentally send your materials to other schools as "first choice").

Timing

• Request the ED Agreement and counselor signature at least 2 weeks before the November 1 deadline
• Complete the student and parent signatures via Common App immediately after deciding on ED
• Many counselors require a meeting before they'll sign - schedule this in September

Can I Change My Mind After Signing?

Not really. The binding nature means:

• If admitted, you must enroll (with one exception below)
• You must withdraw all other applications
• You cannot apply to other schools' ED or regular rounds afterward
• If caught reneging without good cause, the school can rescind your admission AND notify other schools (they share data)

The Financial Exception

The one legitimate reason to back out of ED: the financial aid package is insufficient to attend. Run the net price calculator BEFORE applying ED at that school. If the NPC shows a cost your family cannot pay, do not apply ED there. Once admitted, you can only appeal for more aid; if aid remains insufficient, you can request release from ED.

Do this only as a last resort. Colleges track this and it damages your high school's reputation.

What If My Parents Won't Sign?

You cannot apply ED without parent signature. If your parents won't sign, apply Early Action (non-binding) or Regular Decision instead. Talk to your counselor about why - sometimes parents don't realize what ED means.

Common Mistakes

• Student completes their signature, forgets to have parent sign → application doesn't submit
• Parent signs but doesn't read the terms → signs not understanding the binding nature
• Counselor out of office near deadline → no time to get counselor signature
• Applying ED to multiple schools → prohibited; only ONE ED school is allowed

After Signing

• You can still apply Early Action or Regular Decision to non-ED schools
• Some restrictive early action (REA) at Stanford, Harvard, Princeton, Yale blocks ED at other schools - read each school's early policy carefully

If Your ED Application Is Deferred

You are no longer bound. You can apply to other schools' Regular Decision as normal.

If Your ED Application Is Denied

You are free to apply elsewhere with no restrictions.

Timeline

• October: Decide on ED school, request counselor meeting
• October 15 at latest: All three signatures complete
• November 1: Submit with rest of application