If a school admits 1,000 students and 500 enroll, the yield rate is 50%. Top schools have yield rates above 70% (Harvard is ~85%). Yield matters to colleges because it affects rankings, housing, and budget planning. This is why they care about demonstrated interest and ED.
Why it matters
Understanding yield explains a lot of college admissions strategy. Schools protect their yield rate — it is why ED exists, why they track demonstrated interest, and why they sometimes waitlist strong applicants who seem unlikely to attend.
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