Harvard University made yet another splash in the world of higher education yesterday by announcing it will no longer accept any early applications for admission.
The move, which flies in the face of policies at just about all of the country's elite schools, is a great move for Harvard. Much like its financial-aid announcement last year, it will generate buzz and likely begin a trend among the nation's top universities.
But a good move for Harvard isn't always a good move for Penn, and it's especially true in this case.
With nearly half of its incoming classes accepted via early decision, Penn depends on early applications to be successful. The University doesn't have the star power of Princeton University or the money of Harvard, but it has been able to attract high-caliber students who want to both finish the admissions process early and go to a top school.
Harvard should be commended for its decision, which will allow students from lower economic classes to better shop around for financial-aid packages. It would be great for the public if Penn and other schools could drop early admissions as well, but it's simply not feasible at the moment.
Instead, Penn should concentrate on increasing its financial-aid offerings, so that, if a switch away from early admissions ever becomes inevitable, it will be ready for the change.
