<p>CJ’s point is that even two weeks after sending out what you call the “Definite-YES!” letters, the school may still have no handle on yield, since there is no certainty that those who respond within that period are a representative sample of the total number who will accept by May 1. But if stats from prior years tell them the first rush of responses is indeed reflective of final yield, the process dadwonders suggests could work–if yield looks like it’s going to be high based on the first wave of acceptance letters, cut back on the second wave, and vice versa. But I have no clue if this is what they’re planning this year.</p>
<p>I just checked D’s acceptance letter from last year and was surprised to see it’s dated March 8–but I don’t think it actually arrived that early. That whole period is a blur!</p>