Ethical Issues in the Application Process
There are some important ethical issues relating to applying to college. What follows is the official Ramaz College Office position on some recurring issues.
Early Action/Early Decision
Applying early action/decision is not a decision to make lightly. Because of the nature of an early application, significant thought and planning must go into a decision to apply early.
There are a number of different early options offered by colleges. Those who apply early decision are committing to attend that college if accepted. Several colleges now offer single choice early action, which means that you may not apply early elsewhere (except, in some cases, to your own in-state public university). You will get an early result, but you are not absolutely bound to attend the early college if admitted. Other colleges, including many state schools, have unrestricted early action plans. These function like priority deadlines or rolling deadlines, and you may apply to other colleges without restriction. The options are confusing, and you should consult each college website, as well as your college adviser, for a full explanation of the early policy of any specific college. Before submitting any early application, please discuss the full ethical implications of your decision with your college adviser.
In December, when early decisions are rendered, should you be deferred or denied by the early decision or single choice early action college, the College Office will forward application materials for regular decision schools immediately. It is imperative that students who are accepted early decision withdraw all other applications immediately. We expect that students who apply single choice early action will have made a serious, informed decision to do so and will accept the early admission offer.
Completing Applications
Honesty and forthrightness should be your bywords when writing your college applications. Your response to questions about extracurricular activities and achievements should be truthful and complete. Do not omit things out of a sense of modesty or because you feel that they may be insignificant. On the other hand, do not overstate the title of a leadership position you hold. If you are an “associate editor,” do not write that you are “editor.” If you are one of two or more “co-captains,” do not write that you are “captain.” Obviously, you may include only activities in which you have actually participated and positions of leadership that you have actually held.
Safety Schools
Frequently, offers of admission will be tendered as early as December by schools that use rolling or early action admission practices. Students accepted under such a plan have no obligation to attend the school. However, should you receive an early acceptance at a preferred school, you should withdraw applications immediately from the less preferred schools. There is no excuse for your continued presence in the applicant pool at a school which you have no intention of attending. You are taking a place away from someone else, not necessarily a Ramaz student, but a student who might desperately want to attend that school. You must inform your adviser of any college acceptances, withdrawals, or enrollments immediately.
Making the Choice
May 1 is regarded as the “Candidates’ Common Reply Date” (CRD). This means two things. First of all, colleges that subscribe to the CRD (almost all do) cannot insist that an accepted applicant respond to an offer of admission before that date. On the other hand, colleges will insist that you do respond by that date. While some colleges, on petition, might be willing to extend that deadline if there are special circumstances, most are firm in requiring a deposit to be in place or postmarked by May 1. The practice of putting down multiple deposits, and thereby guaranteeing oneself a place at more than one school, is obviously unethical and also dangerous. In doing so, one runs the risk of having an offer of admission rescinded should a college discover a double deposit. It is part of the understanding between secondary schools and colleges that multiple deposits are not to be tolerated.
Deferring Admission for a Year
Many schools will allow admitted students to defer their admission for one year. It is necessary to write to the college to request a deferral, but this should be done only after you have been accepted both to a U.S. college and to a program in Israel, should that be the reason for deferral. It is not incumbent upon you to mention deferral plans prior to that letter – in the application, in an interview, or elsewhere, unless specifically asked. (The College Office is concerned about the propriety of such a question and would appreciate knowing about it, if it should occur.) At the same time, students should be aware that many colleges have deadlines after which requests for deferral will not be honored. Make certain you meet your school’s deadline.
For Those Who Defer
The decision to attend a particular college may be made as early as November of the senior year. That year and the year in Israel that follows frequently involve significant personal change. You may find that you are no longer interested in attending the college you committed to as a senior. Should this be the case, there is a procedure to follow. First, withdraw from the college to which you have committed. You are then free to apply to as many other colleges as you wish. Ramaz will not process any materials for you until you have withdrawn from the college that you accepted as a senior, and we have received verification from the college.
If you have questions about the issues discussed above, please feel free to talk to any of the college advisers.
