Princeton University announced Monday that it will end its early admissions program, a move that made it the first in what it hopes is a series of elite colleges and universities to follow Harvard's example, The Boston Globe reported.
Echoing the logic Harvard used to explain its bombshell decision, announced last week, Princeton President Shirley Tilghman said that early admissions programs disproportionately favor more privileged applicants who do not need to compare various financial aid packages.
"We agree that early admission 'advantages the advantaged,'" she told the Globe.
Last week, after the announcement of Harvard's decision, Tufts Dean of Admissions Lee Coffin told the Daily that he was still unsure whether or not Tufts will take similar action.
While he is "receptive" to the idea, he said that the University must evaluate its own interests before reaching a decision.
Coffin could not be reached to comment on how Princeton's recent action might affect that decision.
Designed to produce the same result, the early admissions program that Princeton ended was different than Harvard's.
Harvard had an Early Action program, which was non-binding for accepted students, whereas Princeton's program was Early Decision and, therefore, binding.
- by Rob Silverblatt
