Students’ Rights and Responsibilities in College Admission

Darlington’s philosophy on honorable behavior is in keeping with the National Association of College Admission Counselors’ (NACAC) Principles of Good Practice and Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities.

When you apply to colleges and universities, you have RIGHTS.

When you are offered admission: 

• You have a right to wait until May 1 to respond to an offer of admission and/or financial aid.
• Colleges that request commitments to offers of admission and/or financial assistance prior to May 1 must clearly offer you the opportunity to request (in writing) an extension until May 1. They must grant you this extension and your request may not jeopardize your status for admission and/or financial aid.

Candidates admitted under early decision programs are a recognized exception to the May 1 deadline.

 If you are placed on a wait/alternate list:

• The letter that notifies you of that placement should provide a history that describes the number of students on the wait list, the number offered admission, and the availability of financial aid and housing.
• Colleges may require neither a deposit nor a written commitment as a condition of remaining on the wait list.

Colleges are expected to notify you of the resolution of your wait list status by August 1 at the latest.

When you apply to colleges and universities, you also have RESPONSIBILITIES.

After you receive your admission decision:

• You must notify each college or university that accepts you whether or not you are accepting or rejecting its offer. You should make these notifications as soon as you have made a final decision as to the college you wish to attend, but no later than May 1. It is understood that May 1 will be the postmark date.
• You may confirm your intention to enroll, and, if required, submit a deposit to only one (1) college or university. The exception to this arises if you are put on a wait list by a college or university and are later admitted to that institution. You may accept the offer and send a deposit. However, you must immediately notify a college or university at which you previously indicated your intention to enroll. [Darlington’s College Guidance Office is duty-bound as a member of NACAC to report any instances of double-depositing to both institutions in question. Students may jeopardize their place in the freshman class at both institutions.]
• If you are accepted under an early decision plan, you must promptly withdraw the applications submitted to other colleges and universities and make no additional applications. If you are an early decision candidate and are seeking financial aid, you need not withdraw other applications until you have received notification about financial aid.