Expert: Rolland Puckett - 3/13/2002

Question
Hello Sir or Madam,

I enrolled to a college where I do not wish to go now that I have been accepted by better colleges. Can I tell the college (where I am enrolled) that I will not be attending it? Will they take any actions against me (because I enrolled)? And can I still decide on which college to go regardless of the fact that I have already enrolled to a college.

Will I also get back the enrollment amount?

I applied under regular decision and I am an international student.

Please help.
Ronin


Answer
Hello, Ronin!

Most students applying for entrance to a college or university will apply to more than one, because it's really risky to limit one's application to only one school.  Many students, even quite a few who have made above average grades, are turned down for entrance.  So, you haven't done anything out of the ordinary.

It's my understanding that the only thing you will lose is your application fee.  That is not refundable, but it's usually a small amount.  I'm not familiar with any school that requires an advance fee when they accept a student.
Bills are due at the beginning of the term (semester or quarter).

No school will take action against you because you've turned THEM down.  All schools accept more students than they have room for, because they know that some students whom they have accepted will go elsewhere.  It is a good thing if you will write to them or at least send an email, letting them know you will not be attending.  That's just being courteous.  Of course, if you do not reply to their acceptance letter after a certain time, they will assume you are not attending that school, and they will give your space to someone else.  

So, Ronin, you can change your mind and attend a different college from the one you had first enrolled.  Enrollment means you applied, they considered your application and paid a small application fee, they accepted you for enrollment (entrance, matriculation, etc.) for the next term (fall or spring semester).  

If you have already begun a term and just paid for your tuition, room, board, miscellaneous fees, and books, and THEN you've decided to change schools - well, that's somewhat sticky.  That does happen.  Schools will almost always refund most of that term's cost, but perhaps only half or less, depending on how late into the term a student must leave.  Nearly always, however, students do not change their mind once they've begun a term of study.  That would only be sensible if there is some kind of family emergency, or if the student suddenly learns he or she has a big health problem.  

If you've already begun a semester of study, Ronin, stick with it and at least finish the term, then transfer to another school.  The latter school will almost surely still accept you.  If you've been accepted at a "better" school for, say, next fall (late August), then just notify the the first school you will not be attending.  That's all there is to it.

I'm somewhat curious as to the schools that have accepted your applications, and I may know something about them - if you'd like to send a list of them on this site.

Best wishes to you Ronin!
Rolland Puckett