<p>That’s a valid point. But I submit to you that people who are not offered admission to Bowdoin shouldn’t be counted as having a “choice” to attend Bowdoin as it’s a choice they never actually have. Not only is choosing Bowdoin an imaginary choice where they haven’t been accepted, the applicants in the ED pool (including accepted applicants) are exercising a purely imaginary choice to forego matriculating at other colleges where they’ve not been accepted.</p>
<p>You’re correct, however, in that they exercised a choice as to where they’d like to not have a choice…and there’s something to be said for that. It’s just not the same thing that’s to be said for the people that Bowdoin extends an offer of admission to who then have an actual, take-it-to-the bank choice to make between Bowdoin and other colleges that they’re also actually admitted to.</p>
<p>My point, of course, is not to say that a number is high or low. I don’t believe I have seen other colleges release figures that are comparable to the 28.6% figure that Bowdoin released (because I’ve found Bowdoin’s admissions office to be far and away more transparent about the process than other colleges I’m acquainted with). And, obviously, it would be unfair to suggest that 28.6% should be used relative to the yield numbers that other colleges publish that include the ED admits. So there’s no value judgment from me as to the numbers. I’m just saying that, in terms of usefulness, the RD-only (plus EA, where applicable) yield rate is more informative than the standard number offered up that blends ED and RD numbers. But, yes, the number of ED applicants is another interesting figure. It’s also a separate figure that’s best not commingled with the RD data.</p>