<p>Harvard might be concerned that it is losing a significant number of exemplary students who fall prey to the idea that if they apply early somewhere, they’ll have a better shot at getting in. Schools with ED programs manage to snatch up many students who could have settled for better, but are instead bound by the ED agreement. If Harvard offers such a program (EA or ED), even if there isn’t any real advantage to applying early, they’ll get those top-tier applicants who might have been otherwise mislead. Furthermore, even students who have applied and been accepted to a non-binding early program may be less inclined to apply to Harvard afterwards (some people slack off and their applications won’t be as good, some will have unconsciously reinforced that early school as their first-choice even if it isn’t, etc. etc.). Harvard is just looking out for itself. ED and EA are utilized because they’re good for colleges not students, and if nobody else plays fair, I doubt Harvard will feel so inclined either.</p>
<p>To be honest, the whole system just sucks and there is no reasonable way to correct it. And that’s why fewer and fewer kids get to go where they want.</p>