Q: I was admitted to several colleges through early action. I keep getting emails and phone calls asking me to commit to attending. I’d like to hear back from my regular decision schools and compare merit scholarships but I’m worried. Am I making a mistake?

A: Over the summer, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) settled a dispute with the Department of Justice, changing their Code of Ethics and Professional Practices. Citing antitrust concerns, the DOJ questioned a “restraint of trade” among colleges and universities in their recruitment of students. Begrudgingly, NACAC members voted to alter certain policies and eliminate certain restrictions.

One of the most significant changes is that colleges may now offer incentives to students to commit to a college or university before the universal decision date of May 1, when students must let a college know if they will be attending or not. Almost immediately after the change, we saw colleges dangling preferential housing, free parking, earlier class registration, and even additional merit scholarships to students.

So what’s a student to do?

• Wait until you’ve received all of your decisions before committing! We’d hate to see a student miss out on a better opportunity simply because they were feeling the pressure to commit.

• Don’t double deposit. NACAC guidelines still prohibit students from sending enrollment deposits to more than one institution.

• Call! Ask the college if they will give you more time. Most will!

Are you interested in the other changes made by the DOJ inquiry? See them here.