<p>It’s not just about yield Hanna, although I agree with your analysis 100%. Adcom’s genuinely want to admit HS kids who genuinely want to attend their university. It’s as simple as that. Even before US News was tracking yield and even before anyone cared about yield- anyone involved in higher ed can tell you that working at a university where the students really want to be there is night and day from working at a university where the kids are trudging off to class to get their ticket punched. Faculty wants an engaged student body. Administration wants and engaged student body. The organizations which recruit and hire on campus want an engaged student body.</p>
<p>So a kid who wants to attend Penn (even if the kid looks like they might be a contender at HYPS) doesn’t have to apply early to Penn, although for sure that’s a great idea if the kid can afford to be an early applicant. But even if not- and even if the kid can’t afford to visit Penn- there are ways to communicate enthusiasm.</p>
<p>I know kids who live a Septa ride away from Penn and assume that “Penn will know that I’d love to attend”. Guess what- they won’t. You and 1,000 other kids from the greater Philly metro area are lobbing in an application. I’m an adcom- do I want to create a campus filled with kids who really wanted to go Stanford but didn’t make the cut?</p>