<p>This is an interesting discussion. I think it deserves mention, however, that the very top schools (Harvard, Yale, etc.) are fiercely, fiercely competitive. I don’t think they’d just calmly watch as a once-lower competitor rises up and becomes a true peer. For more analysis on just how hard Harvard et al. compete, as I often do, it’s worth reading Jerome Karabel’s “The Chosen.” </p>
<p>Stanford rose to prominence (or eminence) primarily through the good luck of being on the west coast, and far removed from the east. You can bet that Harvard etc.wouldn’t take kindly to Penn - a school right on HYP’s turf, so to speak, rising in the same manner. These schools would certainly step up their fundraising and recruitment efforts to stay ahead of the pack. Harvard’s endowment is still what, 4 times the size of Penn’s? Penn would not only have to catch up, it’d have to hope that Harvard would stand idly by as this occurred. Such a development is very unlikely.</p>