<p>I haven't seen any evidence that the early decision pool is more qualified than the regular pool. If anything, many people that apply are less qualified because they think it will increase their chances. The ED rate is high because it increases yield- which makes the school look good. Check out the % of the incoming student body, and you'll find that most schools have a disproportionately large % of ED students. </p>
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<p>Based on this little factoid, I decided to get out the calculator.</p>
<p>Assuming a 90% yield rate on the SCEA admits, Stanford will be filling about 48% of its freshman class via SCEA.</p>
<p>Note also that an unknown number of SCEA deferees will also be admitted from the RD pool.</p>
<p>Strikingly, Harvard, Stanford and Yale each admitted enough early applicants to fill almost precisely the same 53% of the class - if each admit were to matriculate!</p>
<p>Assuming a 90% yield on SCEA applicants, what fraction of the class will have been filled from the early pool?</p>
<p>At Harvard: 48%</p>
<p>At Stanford: 48%</p>
<p>At Yale: 48%</p>
<p>And Princeton? Assuming a 98.5% yield on its ED admits, what fraction of the class will be filled from the early pool? Why, 48%!</p>
<p>An accident? I don't think so. Each of the four will have managed to fill the class with as many high-yield early admits as possible, while staying slightly under the "magic 50%" level.
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