While Cornell was the first big example in 2003, it's been done many times since: http://time.com/3637980/college-admissions-mistakes-johnshopkins/ http://time

While Cornell was the first big example in 2003, it's been done many times since: http://time.com/3637980/college-admissions-mistakes-johnshopkins/ http://time.com/3637980/college-admissions-mistakes-johnshop... It actually happens dozens of times per year on a one-off basis, usually with college coaches telling recruits they've been accepted when the admissions office has only provisionally accepted them.