The Times clarifies, somewhat, the situation regarding Harvard’s—and other schools’—admissions confusion.

In what may be a happy surprise for thousands of high school seniors, Harvard plans to offer admission to 150 to 175 students on its waiting list, and Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania each expect to take 90, creating ripples that will send other highly selective colleges deeper into their waiting lists as well.

Why? Apparently the unpredictability of the admissions process due to several schools ending early admission and increases in financial aid.It seems notable that Yale, which did not end early admission, is only extending waiting list offers to about 45 students.

The Los Angeles Daily News, in a follow-up article, attributes the confusion to demographic changes in the applicant pool.

The problem is largely driven by a nationwide spike in graduating seniors this year - the largest ever at 3.2 million and topping the baby boomer class of 1977, according to the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Adding to the issue are Internet-savvy students who are applying to as many as 10 to 15 schools, giving colleges more uncertainty about who might actually accept their admission offers.

Unlikely that this last would be Harvard’s problem….and indeed the Crimson reports that Harvard expects its yield to be around 78%, or essentially the same as last year’s.

What’s the takeaway from all this? We may look back in a decade and see this year and perhaps one or two before it as the beginning of a profound transformation in elite college admissions….and hopefully, a great economic democratization.

But the problem of how to improve elementary and high school education for poor people may be the more enduring challenge. Is it time for Drew Faust to take up the mantle not just of higher education, but of K-12?