I know ED numbers are usually skewed due to athletes, legacies, etc. I’ve also heard that Penn cares a lot about legacy. If I am unhooked, is it even worth it to use ED on Penn? Is it only a boost for hooked applicants?
Hey there! I’m an unhooked applicant who used my ED card on Penn. Though it’s definitely a big boost to be a legacy/athlete, there’s nothing wrong with doing ED to Penn if you love the school and it’s your first choice. I think applying ED is a boost in and of itself—last year 54.4% (or something like that) of the class was admitted through ED. If you really love Penn, financial aid is figured out, and you don’t need to boost your test scores/grades a lot, then definitely apply ED because you’ll definitely have higher chances there than RD!
If Penn is your top choice it is a good idea to apply ED. Most people applying do not have hooks.
I agree. ED acceptance is still higher even for unhooked students. Applying ED shows Penn that it’s your #1 Choice and that you have committed to go if you are accepted. Penn will obviously accept more not just because the pool tends to be stronger (but small) but also because it boost their retention rate too.
Why would Penn want to accept the majority of their class from a pool that effectively admits that Penn is not their first choice
I have a feeling that this year more than 55% of the Class of 2020 will be admitted ED
I certainly hope so! @ShaunakK98
Do they release those stats on decision day?
No idea @TheWaffleMan149 … I doubt they would. It depends on the number of RD applicants who enroll
Well the amount of students that they accepted ED anyways. When do they release that and the ED acceptance rate?
Well I guess a few days after dday?
dday…geddit? 
LOL
It will take a similar toll on me as DDay did on the Germans
Let’s not in get into WW2 rhetoric now.
I know the acceptance rate is higher and interest matters, but most colleges say the rate is higher because the pool is self selecting with people with higher stats. So is this not true?
Well sort of. Higher stats do not get you in alone. I would say that it is self-selective in that there are people that are more passionate about going to Penn than in the regular decision pool, and that would lead to better essays, which will tip the scale. You also have to take into consideration the fact that this is counting legacies and recruited athletes, so it is inflated
Are there stats posted on ED acceptance by school? I was thinking of EDing Wharton, but I know its more selective than Penn overall but I’m still not really sure HOW much more selective it is.