Understood, and your candor is appreciated. If some applicants here read here that some have successfully generated a II by the means described, of course we can expect that others will jump to tap that well, especially when the whole process creates so much frustration and desperation. I would do the same thing I'm sure (if I was an applicant). That said, I agree with adcoms here. This sort of dynamic creates a feeding frenzy and leaves room for a lot of speculation. I think most would like schools to presume that applicants want to go there. And expressing deep interest in a school in a secondary or in an update in Oct/Nov is far different from reading about applicants pulling this card in February and jumping in front of others who need/want the spot just as badly. The frenzy in regard to Jeff, despite all the great things we hear about the school, hasn't been because everyone is so in love with it (and indeed it seems your love came post-interview). A lot of folks want to get in anywhere, and when they see an opening at any place that is reasonably attractive of course they are going to jump on it. The "love" for Jeff increases exponentially when one thinks he has a chance to manufacture a better shot at an II and acceptance when he is desperate for both. I assume you encouraged your friend to reach out because he or she still needed an acceptance.
