What is yield in admissions?

I've been seeing the term 'yield' thrown around a lot lately in admissions contexts. Can someone explain what it means and how it might affect my chances of getting into highly competitive schools?

An institution's yield rate is the percentage of accepted students who actually decide to attend a particular college. A higher yield rate can demonstrate the institution's desirability and prestige, as it indicates that more students are choosing to attend that college over other options.

Colleges are concerned with yield rates for a few reasons. First, a stable yield rate helps with enrollment planning and university budgeting. Second, yield rates can affect a college's rankings in publications like the U.S. News & World Report, which may use yield rates as one of the factors when determining a school's rank. Last but not least, higher yield rates can enhance a college's reputation, making it more appealing to both prospective students and faculty.

Some admissions practices involving yield can indirectly impact your chances of getting into highly competitive schools. For example, some colleges may consider applicants' demonstrated interest during the admissions process since students who show more interest in a school are more likely to enroll if accepted, thereby increasing the college's yield rate.

Some ways to demonstrate interest include visiting the campus, attending information sessions, contacting admissions representatives, and applying Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA). Applying ED in particular can significantly impact your chances, as you're committing to attend the school if accepted. On average, applying ED can result in a 1.6x or 60% increase in your chances of admission to super selective schools, though this effect can vary depending on the school and may be less significant at less selective institutions.

Overall, understanding yield and its potential effect on your application can help you present yourself as a more desirable candidate to highly competitive colleges. Demonstrating interest through various methods, especially applying ED, can improve your chances of acceptance and contribute to a school's success in yield rates.