Just to note numerous people did say the OP IS qualified for each and every school on the list including top choice Penn. Hence the ED, if truly the top choice, should go there.
But qualified does not necessarily equal acceptance.
So it’s always good to have some level of caution. I’m sure those with the 4.7, 1500+ claiming they are getting denied to schools like UF and UMD would agree.
People are really just saying - add a safety or two as a just in case. At least as I read everyone’s notes, that’s the takeaway I get.
That’s not pessimism. That’s practicality. And they can find that school with no additional essays. Hence no additional work.