<p>the ONLY credible study on early admissions demonstrated that ED was worth 100 points in the SAT, after factoring OUT legacies, athletic recruits, URMs, etc. But, that study was based on '98/99 admissions data, so not sure how relevant it is today. But, for the non-HYPS, ED can be a boost, and UPenn is quite open about that fact. And, for ther schools slightly down the food-chain, ED acceptances are even higher. </p>
<p>fwiw: be careful when reviewing Harvard, Yale and Stanford's early numbers, since they include legacies, which, in itself, earns another tip; and, in the case of the first two schools, it's a big tip Further, legacies have to apply early to earn that legacy tip.</p>