<p>My mistake Byerly. I was looking at 2004 numbers. 9.1%<9.7%</p>
<p>As for Stanford, they already have an online application–I used it to apply. The thing I believe would most increase the number of applications would be to move the deadline from Dec. 15 to Jan. 1 in line with other top schools–with the earlier date, they can’t pick up the thousands of EA/ED deferreds that apply to schools at the last minute during winter break (I did this with a couple of schools.)</p>
<p>I’m not sure about the effect of the common app on number of applications. It will add applicants, but how many?</p>
<p>In reply to your edit, Byerly, you are somewhat right about Stanford’s regional operations. However, there is a subtlety–Stanford competes nationally for math and science types (I met several East Coasters picking Stanford over MIT at Admit Weekend), but for social science and humanities types, it doesn’t recruit as heavily on the “other coast,” although Stanford’s departments are as strong as HYP’s departments. </p>
<p>The thing to speculate about is that Stanford’s number of applications and admit rate are in line with YPM right now, and once Shaw gets the ball rolling on competing equally with those schools on the East Coast, the appeal of California sunshine might move Stanford’s admit and matriculation far and away to Harvard levels.</p>
<p>In regards to the yield rate outside of the Left Coast, the revealed preference rankings show a drop-off that is perhaps less than you state.</p>