I’m currently deciding whether to apply to Harvard SCEA (first choice) or Wharton ED (second choice, but not by far). I used to think that applying to Wharton binding-ED would be better since Penn as a whole loves its ED applicants. But now I’m hearing the opposite. According to a few sources, Wharton places a huge bias on hooked applicants (those from influential families, D1 sports players, URMS). As an non-hooked (possibly anti-hooked) applicant, I’m starting to think that the Wharton binding-ED is not worth it. I’d much rather go Harvard SCEA and RD to Wharton (since the ED and RD acceptance rates would be virtually the same for me). Can someone please provide their opinion on this? is this notion a fact or a myth? THANKS !!!
I’m not sure that “huge bias” is the right term. Penn does say that any bump for legacy will be given in the early round, but I’m not sure that is different from other schools - Penn just comes out and says it.
Basically all recruited athletes will apply in the early round at all Ivy League schools, so Penn is no different from Harvard in this respect. The difference is that the number of recruited athletes is fixed at about 200 +/- per Ivy League university, so as a percentage, it’s higher at Harvard compared to Penn due to the freshman class size.
There have many many threads trying to parse ED/EA rates backing out athletes/legacy, etc, which you can look at. Personally, I think looking at those is a waste of time. I think EA/ED will be a boost, but for both Penn and Harvard, they will not admit a student in the early round that they would not have admitted RD.
If Harvard’s your first choice, apply there SCEA. I think it’s pointless to try to play the “which school will I have the better chance if I apply early” game.
I understand and totally believe your point that Penn and Harvard will not admit a student in the early round that they wouldn’t have admitted RD. However, my fear is Penn and Harvard will reject students in the RD round that would have been accepted if they applied ED (due to a lack of space available in RD). Since Penn accepts >50% of their class ED, this problem seems very real. To clarify my point: With so many similarly qualified applicants, I believe that the number of spots available (and not marginal differences in talent) is a major factor in deciding who gets in. That’s why it’s important to gauge and compare ED and RD since ED has more spots available and thus provides better chances for qualified applicants.
So does Harvard; they admitted 977 in December out of a target class size of 1660. I just don’t think you will find that there is that much difference between the 2 schools on how they admit in the early round.
I edited my last post to clarify my perspective. Anyway, yeah, I do have to agree that there is a minor difference between RD and ED. But since college is such a big deal to me, I’m trying to get every advantage I can so that I don’t end up regretting it later.
@ibanker38 the fact remains that anyone has better chances of getting into Wharton than Harvard. Harvard also favors legacies and athletes during the early round, there is nothing to suggest that Penn does even more so.
So you definitely have a bigger chance of getting into Penn than Harvard, just like every applicant out there.
It comes down to which school is your first choice. Are you ok with forgoing the Harvard option in favor of the higher chance of acceptance at Penn? If so apply early to Wharton. If you think you would regret not trying for Harvard then apply to Harvard early and Wharton RD.
Both Harvard and Penn admit a lot of hooked students in the first round. The issue is that Wharton attracts a disproportional number of hooked students (sports recruits, URM, QuestBridge, legacy students from wealthy and VIP families).
If Wharton fills half of its class in early round like other schools . My guess that at least 150 of them will be hooked. This will put unhooked applicants in big disadvantage.
Most likely, Wharton may fill 60%, or even 70% of the class during early round. This will make regular application even harder. One Wharton freshman claimed in other thread that almost all his classmates he knew got in through ED.
Thanks guys for your insights
You will never know the actual statistics for each college at Penn. Even if you had the applicant/school data, you would be missing the number of qualified applicants per school. Is it surprising that for last year’s class, SEAS had the lowest number of spaces/applicant? Spend your time on pursing your passions and then show each school how you will pursue you education and contribute to their community. Apply first where you see the best fit.
“However, my fear is Penn and Harvard will reject students in the RD round that would have been accepted if they applied ED (due to a lack of space available in RD).” These rejections happen ED also: So many subtle factors contribute: who else is applying from your school or community? where you live? who reads your application? Each school could toss their accepted applicants, dig back into the pool and create a new class.
Thanks for the input. Never knew SEAS was so competitive. And yes, I have done my due diligence for both schools and see i could fit perfectly into both… which is prompting me to check their acceptance stats… which arent even public… 
Im stressing too much over this
Also, while we’re on the topic of admissions, do ivy league colleges, during ED and RD, read all of their applications??? As soon as they find the desired amount of students qualified to get in, do they pack up and leave?? or do they hunt more for even better students???
Yes, assuming the application is complete.
No. They then go pack through and start pulling out applications that they will WL/defer (depending on the round) or reject