<p>The rest of the ivies did not follow, so I guess the experiment is over. </p>
<p>Neither of them is actually returning to what it had before abolishing its early program. Harvard was previously early action but now it will be single choice early action like Yale and Stanford. Princeton is also adopting SCEA and it was previously early decision.</p>
<p>The theory was that Early Action and Early Decision programs were “unfair” to African-Americans and Hispanics. Those who subscribed to the theory believed that African-Americans and Hispanics lacked the opportunity/ability to learn of, and take advantage of, the various EA and ED programs. The reality is that the many highly sought after African-American and Hispanic applicants applied early to Yale and Stanford, so Harvard and Princeton lost out. H & P have learned not to under estimate African-Americans and Hispanics. Experiment over.</p>
<p>^^
On what factual data do you base your claim of “the reality is …”.</p>
<p>In practice my sense is that very strong applicants (of whatever ethnicity) who have a short list of preferred very top colleges would be happy at anyone of them. Many (?) of these applicants apply to one of these colleges early decision/early action on the assumption that it improves their chances to get into at least one of the top colleges. Harvard and Princeton lost some of these stellar candidates.</p>
<p>The “experiment over” bit is funny. Princeton and UVa got rid of their ED programs (which are more beneficial to the rich) and Harvard lent its name to the movement by getting rid of EA (which isn’t harmful to the poor) to help out. Now Princeton, UVa, and Harvard are all going to EA (or SCEA). Sure, Princeton and UVa could have just switched from ED to EA right away, but doing so now doesn’t mean they’re reneging on their decision; they’re choosing the better path now. And Harvard is going back to something similar, but they didn’t even have ED, they were just helping Princeton and UVa make the move.</p>
<p>And this topic was already discussed to hell when the announcements came out.</p>
<p>
I know, the quality of their student bodies really took a nose dive, right?</p>
<p>^^
On what factual data do you base your claim of “the reality is …”.</p>
<p>. . . on the statement published by Harvard and the accompanying blog postings.</p>