<p>Duke is ED. So not everyone wants to apply unless they are certain to go there with a binding decision while Chicago with an open EA allows anyone who does not want to apply to a restricted school (ED, SCEA whatever else) can send in their app. Moreover, Chicago adcoms have been promoting EA quite a bit by letting people know that it allows them more time with fewer apps (It was a good line at 3500 apps but at 9000, it gets a little ambiguous). </p>
<p>Have the regular numbers come out for Chicago (18-19k being mentioned here)?</p>
<p>The admission rates are tied directly to yield. If Chicago’s yield were high like HYP, their class should be 80% full already with 1750 admits. Since the yield seems to be hovering around 40+ at this time, they need to admit more and so the admit rates will stay above 10% until the yield or applicant pool numbers go up more.</p>
<p>If they just cave in and add an engineering school…</p>