<p>Penn does have a harder time marketing itself than Columbia (primarily because of location and Columbia still has a traditionally stronger brand), but Furda seems to be on the right track. Just like Columbia years ago, Penn’s problem is that, outside the northeast, students aren’t really that aware of it. Marketing should pay dividends down the line when students not hyper-aware of all the colleges and rankings out there look to make their applications decisions. </p>
<p>Also, maybe this is strange thinking but, at this point to most hs students, Penn looks like one of the LEAST selective ivies. Save for Cornell, Penn has the highest acceptance rate in the ivy league, and couldn’t this maybe work in Penn’s favor a bit? I can’t imagine Columbia or Harvard getting that much more selective, and their ~10% accept rate probably deters applicants, but Penn probably has a way to go before this occurs. More hopefuls may still apply in the couple of years ahead precisely because Penn seems to be more accessible than (by outward appearances) what seem to be the more selective schools.</p>