Penn Early Decision Applications

Early Decision applications to Penn were up nicely this year.

Penn Early Decision applications reached a record high this fall. 5,133 students applied to Penn this year, marking a 6.6% increase from the Early Decision pool at Penn just last year. That’s a nice rise in applications for the Quakers. Just in 2008, Penn received only 3,631 applications, so this figure of 5,133 marks a 41% increase from only five years prior.

According to an article in “The Daily Pennsylvanian” on the Penn Early Decision figures, “‘It’s surprising to me!’ Dean of Admissions Eric Furda said. ‘I am really proud of my staff, but this has been a collective Penn effort.’ Furda said that the efforts of campus maintenance staff, student leaders, alumni volunteers, parents and tour guides all deserve credit for the successful results. There has been an increase in the academic quality and diversity of the newest applicant pool. ‘It has been a broad base increase, with numbers increasing across all schools and all geographic regions,’ Furda said.” Eric Furda is always one of — if not the — most colorful deans of admissions at highly selective colleges.

Do you think Penn saw such a marked increase in applications from just last year because of the ten day extension it granted to students due to glitches with the Common Application? The rise in Early applications to Penn was not as big as the rise at Dartmouth, which saw a 6.7% increase in Early Decision applications from 2012. But Dartmouth was outdone by Northwestern University, which saw a 14% — yes, 14% — increase in ED apps. What do you think is in the water at Northwestern this year? We’re curious to hear your thoughts!