^^--^^
The theory might be correct, but I think you have the wrong party. Harvard does not need to play the
PR game and their reasons to restrict admission to the low percentage were all legitimate.
As far as claiming the lowest percentage, they could have added more than 200 admissions to their tally and STILL remain below 8% and below all their close competitors. Further they could have added 100 students (and stay below 7.5% rate) and simply take 50 transfers ... if those numbers were critical. And as a long term policy, they might start playing the "college segregating game" that is played around Morningside Heights.
If you look for gamesmanship, move your radar in the direction of New Haven and Philly where schools maintained an early admission policy. I am sure than admission rates and yield seem more important at a school that admitted close to 900 student in December and just over 1000 in the Spring.