<p>I know many Harvard students, and yes, they are all extremely intelligent, talented, funny, whatever, people. Does that mean they don't enjoy dropping the H-bomb? Of course they do. They LOVE to talk amongst themselves about the fact that they attend <em>hahvahd</em>, and the ones that don't actually say it still gloat about it inside. </p>
<p>And there exists absolutely no <em>overwhelming</em> academic difference between HYP and other fine schools. So why does Harvard have such a high yield? Because prestige is the factor that tips many ppl over into deciding to go to Harvard. Prestige is obviously not the only factor and probably not the main one either, but it does make a difference. Relatives might ask a YPS student, "Gee, why didn't you go to Harvard if you were accepted?", but they wouldn't ask the reverse of a Harvard student.</p>