I think that's a very narrow view, and it leads to a situation where female applicants might use the school as a 'safety' - it isn't desirable, but it will defi

I think that's a very narrow view, and it leads to a situation where female applicants might use the school as a 'safety' - it isn't desirable, but it will definitely accept you to boost numbers and look "equal". A better approach, which I think the OP promotes, is to look at why you don't have as many female applicants as other schools. If your messaging is turning off the good female candidates, who know they can get into the school they want, then consequently you will either accept less-good female candidates (under a quota system), or have a significant imbalance.