Penn’s Admissions Office placed 2,400 students on the waitlist for next year’s incoming class, down from about 3,000 last year and 3,500 two years ago.
In determining the waitlist size, Penn “was looking to manage that number down in a way that was responsible,” according to Dean of Admissions Eric Furda.
We’re pleased with Penn’s decision to decrease the size of the waitlist.
Although having a considerable waitlist is important for schools to select the size and makeup of their incoming classes after accepted students make their decisions, there is no reason for it to be unnecessarily bloated.
Last year, Furda said that Penn’s waitlist was so large in part because the University wanted to “give the sense to the students and the schools that were it not for the limited space, you would be admitted.”
But the reality is that there is indeed limited space at Penn, and few students on the waitlist will be asked to attend. With the college admissions process as stressful as it already is, and admissions acceleration adding more anxiety for students, there’s no reason to needlessly keep stringing some of them along.
The waitlist should only be as large as it absolutely needs to be to ensure a bright and diverse incoming class, and we’re glad that Penn has trimmed it down this year.
What do you think of the size of this year's waitlist? Send us a letter to the editor to share your thoughts: letters@theDP.com.
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