@Penn95 Thanks for that answer - I do understand that component of the argument, but I guess I just don’t see that as helpful to an applicant. I see it as profoundly harmful to the system as a whole. Why should a student, when considering Harvard vs Yale (or even Williams vs Harvard or JHU vs. Georgetown or whatever decision) take into consideration the fact that more people perceive Harvard as more desirable than Yale? Why should they see Williams’ sub-50% yield and say “Oh, well I should go to Yale because that’s where the majority of cross-admits are heading.” Yale has a far better undergraduate education than Harvard. Williams has a better undergraduate education than any of the Ivies. Is this not a negative influence, then? The fact that people are choosing based on a brand name and not on what the school can offer them in conjunction with their academic aspirations and personal goals? I think it’s an enormous pity.
I think the fact that people feel pressured to choose Harvard for its brand rather than going to a school that is best for them (which may or may not be Harvard) is not actually a good thing. So while I believe that yield should be published, I don’t think it should be made available purportedly for the sake of an applicant’s alleged benefit, because I don’t see that pressure to choose the more prestigious school to be a beneficial force in the college decision process.