<p>I'd say the developmental admit category is given the most preference...I know so MANY completely unqualified (and by that I don't mean average GPA with 1900 SAT, I mean D-grade kids with NO EC's and 1700-1800 SAT) international kids it's scary...Penn loads up on dumb, unqualified, extremely wealthy international kids from influential families without realizing how damaging this is to their international rep. In fact, they've become notorious for doing so in several countries.</p>
<p>Major sport Athletes are ahead of Development admits - if a the basketball coach wants a kid, he's IN, even if he can't read or write. I've heard stories of major donor kids being rejected - it's not a sure thing. </p>
<p>I don't see anything wrong with "development admit". Here Penn has a product that has 6x as many customers as the can fill the demand for. Any other business would just raise the price. Or using the airline model, you sell some seats at premium prices to those who can afford it (first class) and others you discount (financial aid). I'm surprised that they don't do it even more.</p>