I got into Duke early decision. Now i don't want to go there. Options?

You could fake your own demise

Serious suggestion: take a gap year. They'll still probably hold your spot for you, and you can do some work and maybe get a better handle on what you really want to do. If you still decide "Duke ain't for me" I suspect they'll let you go gracefully.

Most worthwhile schools will honor your binding commitment to Duke, and why go to a lesser school just to go somewhere?

Gap year or Juco or attend for 1 year. I would choose to attend.

Quit your bellyaching. STFU, be grateful for your opportunity, and get to work.

(also, get off my lawn)

Excellent advice!

Read the fine print on the early decision agreement you signed and discuss this with your parents. It's a type of contract and there are usually ways to get out of contracts. Also consider, that if you signed it as a minor, you may not legally be able to enter into a contract, which could make it null and void.

TLDR: The "binding" nature of early decision may be easier to get out of than you think and may or may not be enforceable.

You ain't blue devil material then son, now git!!!!

Will you be sent to Rich White People College Reneging Prison if you don't go?

Contact the admissions office and find out options to defer enrollment for a year. There should be an option to take a "leave of absence" for up to a year and enroll later if you want. There could be a medical emergency, financial issues, change of educational goals, church mission work, etc. that are all good reasons to defer enrollment without re-applying for admission.

Just say you want out. They can't force you to enroll and won't sue you or have you arrested. But I wouldn't want to incur the wrath of that school or its alumni network. Coincidentally, this article features an interview with the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions from Duke.

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/what-happens-to-students-who-back-out-of-early-decision-offers

Commit a felony?

What is your financial aid offer? I think easy way to get out of it is to say it wasn’t as much as expecting

Duke is not going to sue you for specific performance or damages related to violating the contract. So you can walk without any issue. That decision will be permanent (e.g Duke won’t let you change your mind and attend later, most likely).

I would talk to them about deferring admission so you can potentially change your mind again. Especially considering 2 months ago you were certain this is where you wanted to attend.

Where do you want to go now?

I have seen so many kids announce their commitments very early to go run at a school and back out of it in the summer in favor of another school- this happens all the time.

Tweet support for a ceasefire in Gaza

I haven’t seen that get anyone’s admission revoked.

Not sure how it works for college admissions, but if you renege on the ED contract for law school, you can get reported to LSAC (equivalent of the organization that runs the common app) and get blacklisted from all schools.

My advice is to just go. What could have possibly happened in a few months that changed your mind so dramatically? Whatever it is, you are probably over-reacting, and I've seen many peers attend schools they felt lackluster on and ultimately be so grateful they went (I had the opposite experience, hating my dream school so much I transferred). Plus, Duke is an awesome school with sweet outcomes awaiting you. Chin up!

Are you a recruited athlete, or general population student?

Where go instead? Is there a good reason - close to home etc.

Careful, they may elevate him straight to university president.