<p>^ That's not true at all. Harvard and Princeton believes that SCEA/ED gives advantage to the well off... I happen to think they're right (keep in mind I would have been a beneficiary of the system if I had applied early). Through the stone H and P threw into the pond may not cause wave at other colleges, the ripples will definitely affect one VERY large group of people - THE APPLICANTS. </p>
<p>I think I saw the following statistic on a NYTimes article, but I'm not sure. The NYT reported that of those that are admitted to both Harvard and another ivy, an overwhelming majority (something around 90 percent for most of the ivies in competition) chose to go to Harvard. Are we, the ambitious students of the world, going to apply ED to a 'less prestigious' ivy and Harvard and live with the chance that we could get into both but would have to go to the lesser of the two (assuming H is no. 1... and for most people H is)? The thing is, even if the colleges themselves don't follow suit, H and P's move WILL have a ripple effect because it will reduce the number of highly competitive students who apply early, because who wants to get accepted into Cornell ED (I don't know if Cornell has ED, but just go w/ me) and never even know if they could have gotten into Harvard or Princeton?!!!!</p>
<p>I certainly wouldn't. Harvard is not losing any top applicants. Remember, Harvard and Princeton are at the top of the food chain. We, the little fishies only have ONE opportunity to apply to college for our undergraduate educations and I can't imagine many who would be willing to forgo an opportunity for peace of mind (by applying ED to another school). Whether or not we want to admit it, we are all greedy little schemers who want to get the most 'bang' for the social lives we've 'bucked' to fulfill our aspirations. </p>
<p>Even if you don't agree, you have to hand over some props for the cute conclusion.</p>