@runswimyoga - really? You think Penn is worried about MIT in the ED round? Penn’s ED yield rate is generally between 98-99%. Of the, say, 1250 students who get ED offers, like 1230 matriculate.
You think that Penn went to restrictive ED - a move that is both puzzling and generates negative buzz - because it’s really concerned where those 15-20 students a year are going? With Penn going restrictive ED, students debating between Penn and MIT are now more likely NOT to apply ED to Penn. The ED pool at Penn will most likely weaken.
Let’s turn your argument around - Penn may lose, what, 3 or 4 ED admits to MIT a year? By allowing ED students to apply EA to MIT, Penn actually GAINS talented applicants. Further, it’s very likely that MIT loses handfuls of EA accepts to Penn ED - these students might really like MIT, and Penn is their second choice, but since they got into Penn ED, they are bound to attend.
I don’t really see how this helps Penn at all - it creates negative buzz and looks like Penn is playing games. Further, it might only increase ED yield by what? 0.4%?