Dreaming of an Ivy League education? The path to these prestigious institutions has never been more competitive. As the class of 2029 early admission statistics rolls in, aspiring students and their families are left wondering: “What does it really take to secure a spot at these coveted schools?”
The landscape of Ivy League admissions is constantly changing, with acceptance rates reaching all-time lows and applicant pools growing more diverse, competitive, and accomplished each year. However, there has been a major change with respect to the data related to the Early Decision Acceptance Rate; for instance, Harvard has withheld the information regarding the acceptance rate, stating it would benefit the students more, and then there is Brown, Yale who has continued to publish its early acceptance data. Thus, there is plenty going on.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore early admission statistics for the eight Ivy League institutions for the Class of 2029, investigating the major points and nuances of each school’s admission process with respect to ED and offering insights on navigating deferrals. Now, if you are aiming for Brown, UPenn, Dartmouth, Yale, or any other Ivy League school, we’ve got you covered with the latest data and insights to help you conquer the admission game.
Ivy League Class of 2029 Early Admission Statistics
The Ivy League universities have released their early admission statistics for the Class of 2029, revealing a highly competitive landscape. There are several noteworthy trends among the eight esteemed Ivy League institutions.
Application Volume
The Class of 2029 early admission cycle witnessed a significant increase in application numbers across most Ivy League schools. This surge can be attributed to several factors:
- With the growing interest in top-tier education, it is all but natural to see a growing interest in getting a seat in the Ivy League.
- Increased accessibility through virtual tours and information sessions.
- Test-optional policies continue at many Ivy League institutions.
- Enhanced financial aid offerings attract a diverse applicant pool.
Here’s a breakdown of the application volumes for each Ivy League school:
University Early Applications
University | Early Applications |
---|---|
Harvard | 7,921 |
Yale | 6,729 |
Princeton | TBD |
UPenn | 9,500 |
Brown | 5,048 |
Columbia | 5,872 |
Dartmouth | 3,550 |
Cornell | TBD |
Acceptance Rates
The early admission acceptance rates for the Ivy League Class of 2029 have remained highly selective, with slight variations across institutions:
- Harvard: TBD
- Yale: 10.82%
- Princeton: TBD
- Penn: 14.3%
- Brown: 17.95%
- Columbia: TBD
- Dartmouth: TBD
- Cornell: TBD
These rates showcase the ongoing trend of increasing selectivity in early admission programs at all Ivy League schools. However, it also shows that there are several Ivies who refrain from publishing their data so as not to discourage students from applying.
Other key insights:
Diversity and Inclusivity
Ivy League institutions have continued their efforts to build diverse and inclusive classes. Key demographics highlights include:
- Increased representation of first-generation college students.
- There has been growth in applications from underrepresented minority groups.
- Increase in the number of international applicants.
Early Decision vs. Early Action
The Ivy League schools employ different early admission policies:
- Early Decision (ED): Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Penn
- Restrictive Early Action (REA): Harvard, Princeton, Yale
Early Decision is binding; that is, if you are accepted through early Decision, you have to attend the college that has accepted your application. Secondly, if you have to withdraw your applications from other colleges to which you’ve applied,
Restrictive Early Action allows students to apply to other schools’ regular decision programs but restricts early applications to other private institutions.
Now that we’ve examined the early admission statistics for the Ivy League Class of 2029, let’s delve into the specific numbers for specific Ivy League colleges.
Brown Class of 2029 Early Decision Admission Statistics
Brown University’s Early Decision (ED) acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 stands at 17.95%. With 906 students accepted out of 5,048. Below is the statistics regarding the historical trends related to Early Decision and Regular Decision
Also Read: Brown University Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029
Here’s the acceptance rate over the years.
Year | Overall Accept. Rate | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|---|
2028 | 5.16% | 3.81% | 14.38% |
2027 | 5.08% | 3.88% | 12.98% |
2026 | 5.0% | 3.6% | 14.6% |
2025 | 5.4% | 3.5% | 15.9% |
2024 | 6.9% | 5.4% | 17.5% |
2023 | 6.6% | 5.2% | 18.2% |
What to Do After Being Deferred by Brown
Remember, a deferral isn’t a rejection. Here’s what you can do if your college application is deferred.
Reassess Your College Application:
Instead of sulking, take a moment to review your application objectively. Look for areas wherein you can improve, where you can strengthen your profile:
Some of the things you can work on are;
- Academic performance: Have you improved your grades since submitting?
- Extracurricular activities: Any new achievements, volunteering work, or leadership roles?
- Test scores: If you’ve applied without submitting your test scores, consider applying with them.
Update Brown on your Progress.
Keep Brown informed about your recent accomplishments:
- New academic achievements
- Extracurricular successes
- Awards or recognition
- Additional letters of recommendation
Focus on Regular Decision.
While maintaining hope for Brown, prepare for other options:
- Complete applications for other schools
- Research alternative universities
Again, remember, a deferral isn’t a rejection. Stay positive and focused on your goals. You may use this time to further improve your application and explore other schools and opportunities. If you stay straight, you may get a seat through regular Decision-making.
University of Pennsylvania Class of 2029 Early Decision Admission Statistics
The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) has released its Early Decision (ED) admission statistics for the Class of 2029, revealing a highly tough and selective process. For this year’s ED cycle, UPenn received a total of 9,500 applications, an increase from the previous year’s 8,500.
However, we still do not have the exact Early Decision Acceptance rate as UPenn has continued to withhold the data regarding the ED acceptance rate. We will be sure to share this figure with our readers as soon as it becomes available.
To put this into perspective, let’s look at a comparison of UPenn’s ED and RD acceptance rates over the past few years:
University of Pennsylvania | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|
2028 | NYP | NYP |
2027 | 4.45% | 34.51% |
2026 | 4.99% | 15.52% |
2025 | 4.2% | 14.9% |
2024 | 6.0% | 19.7% |
2023 | 5.5% | 18.0% |
Popular Intended Majors
While UPenn offers a wide range of academic programs, certain fields of study stood out among the ED-admitted students:
- Engineering
- Business (Wharton School)
- Biological Sciences
- Social Science
- Computer Science
What To Do After Being Deferred by UPenn
If you are at this stage, it is crucial to sleep on your application. This self-assessment will help you identify areas for improvement and will act as a guide for your future steps.
Here’s what you could do
- Review your academic profile by focusing on what could’ve gone wrong. You could reach out to academic counselors or former students to guide you.
- Examine your extracurricular activities; maybe they do not align with the subject you want to study.
- Assess your essays and personal statement and highlight how UPenn may play a major role in your future endeavors.
- Re-Consider your letters of recommendation.
- Focus on UPenn’s RD application.
Write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
A well-crafted LOCI can significantly boost your chances of admission in the regular decision round. This letter should:
- Reaffirm your commitment to the University of Pennsylvania.
- If you have any new highlights regarding achievements, internships, or competitions, please state them in your application.
- Address any weaknesses in your initial application.
- Demonstrate your fit with UPenn’s values and culture.
Improve Your Academic Profile
While waiting for the regular Decision, focus on maintaining or improving your academic performance:
- Maintain or improve your GPA
- Take challenging courses
- Consider additional standardized tests
- Engage in academic competitions or projects
Seek Additional Recommendations
Consider obtaining an additional letter of recommendation that can provide new insights into your character and abilities:
- Choose recommenders who can speak to your recent growth
- Ensure the new recommendation complements existing ones
- Provide your recommender with specific guidance on what to highlight
Yale University Class of 2029 Early Action Admission Statistics
Yale University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the Ivy League, has released its Early Action admission statistics for the Class of 2029. These numbers provide valuable insights into the competitiveness of Yale’s admissions process and what one could expect in RD.
Yale Received 6,729 early action applicants for the class of 2029, and only 10.82 percent were admitted, marking one of the lowest early acceptance rates in the history of Yale. However, it is still higher than last year, when Yale admitted 9.02% of early applicants.
To put this into perspective, let’s look at a comparison of Yale’s ED and RD acceptance rates over the past few years:
Yale University | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|
2028 | 3.73% | 9.02% |
2027 | 3.22% | 10.89% |
2026 | 3.17% | 12.09% |
2025 | 3.40% | 10.50% |
2024 | 5.10% | 13.80% |
2023 | 4.50% | 13.20% |
Intended Areas of Study
Yale’s Early Action admits expressed interest in a wide range of academic fields:
- Social Sciences
- STEM fields
- Liberal Arts
What To Do After Being Deferred by Yale
After receiving a deferral from Yale, it’s crucial to objectively evaluate your application. Do not lose hope; you need to understand that deferral means that your application will be considered again in the Regular decision phase. So, use this time to review your essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities; you must try to identify areas for improvement. Consider seeking feedback from teachers, counselors, or trusted mentors who can provide valuable insights.
You could also update Yale on your achievements:
Yale welcomes updates from deferred applicants. Focus on significant accomplishments or developments since your initial application. This could include:
- Academic achievements (e.g., improved grades, new awards)
- Extracurricular milestones (e.g., leadership positions, competition wins)
- For new projects or initiatives you’ve started, be free to highlight them.
- Any internships or research opportunities you have done in the meantime?
You may compile these updates in a concise letter, emphasizing how they align with Yale’s values and how they have developed you as a person.
Prepare for Regular Decision
By applying early, you have given yourself a head start as your essay, your LOR, and your SOP are already prepared. You can really shine in RD if you improve upon it. While hoping for admission in the regular decision round, it’s wise to:
- Apply to other schools that align with your goals and interests
- Research financial aid options and scholarships
- Maintain a positive attitude and focus on your current academic and extracurricular commitments
Remember, a deferral is not a rejection. Many deferred applicants are ultimately accepted. Use this time to strengthen your application and demonstrate your growth and continued interest in Yale.
Columbia University Class of 2029 Early Action Admission Statistics
Columbia University’s ED admissions for the class of 2029 saw a tough competitive cycle, reflecting the institution’s prestigious legacy of top-class education, which is desired by the students.
Columbia University saw 5,872 students applying to their prestigious programs. There is a slight decrease in the number of applicants as compared to the previous year, wherein 6,009 students wanted to become a part of the institution.
Here are the ED and RD rates over the years.
Columbia University | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|
2028 | NYP | NYP |
2027 | 2.81% | 14.65% |
2026 | 2.96% | 10.31% |
2025 | 3.2% | 10.1% |
2024 | 5.1% | 15.1% |
2023 | 4.3% | 14.6% |
Intended Areas of Study
Columbia’s Early Action admits expressed interest in a wide range of academic fields:
- Social Sciences.
- Biological sciences.
- Mathematics and finance.
- Economics.
What To Do After Being Deferred by Columbia University
Being deferred by Columbia University can be disappointing, but it’s important to maintain a positive outlook. Remember, a deferral is not a rejection – it’s an opportunity to strengthen your application and showcase your continued interest in the University.
Understand the Deferral Process
Deferral means that your application will be considered for regular Decision. This gives you a chance to update your application with new achievements and information.
Update Your Application
Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your application:
- Highlight new achievements or awards
- Update extracurricular activities
- Provide additional test scores (if applicable)
Write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
LOCI is used to showcase that you are still very much interested in attending the said school and thus can be used in a favorable light. Crafting a compelling LOCI is crucial. Here’s what to include:
- Reaffirm your interest in Columbia.
- Highlight new accomplishments
- Explain how you align with Columbia’s values and community and how you see Columbia as a school that will help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
Harvard Class of 2029 Early Action Admission Statistics
Harvard did release its first offer of admission. However, it has curtailed the information regarding the number of applicants who applied and the number of applicants accepted by Harvard.
However, if we look at earlier trends, one can expect that the ED acceptance range might hover around 8-9 %. Here is the list stating Harvard’s acceptance rate over the years.
Harvard University | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|
2028 | 2.71% | 8.74% |
2027 | 2.34% | 7.56% |
2026 | 2.34% | 7.87% |
2025 | 2.6% | 7.4% |
2024 | 3.2% | 13.9% |
2023 | 2.8% | 13.4% |
Since Harvard has not released any official data, it is fruitless to speculate. However, you can see the historical trends and gauge the competition.
Now, what if you are deferred? Well, deferral is not a rejection; in fact, it could be a blessing in disguise. You can take this time to improve your college application by adding the following things.
- Update extracurricular activities
- Provide additional test scores (if applicable)
- Highlight new achievements
- Improve upon your SOP.
- Maybe improve on your LOR.
Princeton Class of 2029 Early Action Admission Statistics
Following the recent practice of not disclosing admission figures, neither QuestBridge nor the University have disclosed the number of students who have been accepted.
The last publicly available data is of the class of 2024, wherein 43 students were accepted through EA.
Princeton, alongside UPenn, Cornell, and Columbia, remains test-optional. Here’s the acceptance rate over the years.
Princeton University | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|
2028 | NYP | NYP |
2027 | NYP | NYP |
2026 | NYP | NYP |
2025 | 4.0% | NYP |
2024 | 3.7% | 15.8% |
2023 | 4.2% | 13.9% |
What to Do After Being Deferred by Princeton
If you’ve been deferred by Princeton, don’t lose hope. You need to understand what deferral is; a deferral means your application will be considered again in the regular decision round. Here are some steps you can take to strengthen your application:
- Update your application:
- Submit new grades and test scores.
- Add recent achievements or awards, any internship you may have done, and any new volunteering work; do not refrain from mentioning them.
- Highlight any new leadership roles or extracurricular activities.
- Write a letter of continued interest:
- Reaffirm your commitment to Princeton by writing a letter of continued interest.
- Highlight new accomplishments since your initial application.
- Explain how Princeton remains your top choice.
- Seek additional recommendations:
- You can also request insights from teachers or mentors who can provide new insights.
- Ensure recommenders emphasize your recent growth and achievements.
- Consider campus visit or alumni interview:
- If possible, visit the campus to demonstrate your interest.
- Request an alumni interview if you haven’t had one yet.
Dartmouth Class of 2029 Early Decision Admission Statistics
Just like Princeton, Dartmouth too has withheld the information regarding the acceptance rate, stating they will release it in late March.
However, we know that 3,550 people applied.
Here’s a breakdown of Dartmouth’s acceptance rate over the years.
Dartmouth College | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|
2028 | 3.93% | 17.07% |
2027 | 4.54% | 19.21% |
2026 | 4.7% | 21.27% |
2025 | 4.5% | 21.2% |
2024 | 6.9% | 26.4% |
2023 | 6.1% | 23.2% |
Here’s what you do and don’t do if you get deferred by Dartmouth.
Do | Don’t |
---|---|
Send thoughtful updates | Bombard admissions with daily emails |
Demonstrate continued interest | Express disappointment or frustration |
Visit campus if possible | Neglect your other college applications |
Follow application update instructions | Submit materials not requested |
Remember, a deferral means Dartmouth sees potential in your application. You can use this opportunity to strengthen your application. Furthermore, you can use this time to focus on other college applications and regular Decisions.
Cornell Class of 2029 Early Decision Admission Statistics
Cornell University’s ED admission for the class of 2029 saw a cut-throat cycle, reflecting the institution’s world-class status. However, there is only this much we can say because Cornell has not released any facts or figures and will not do so for several more months.
Cornell University | Regular Decision Accept. Rate | Early Decision / Action Accept. Rate |
---|---|---|
2028 | NYP | NYP |
2027 | 6.32% | 17.55% |
2026 | 5.0% | 19.2% |
2025 | 6.7% | 21.4% |
2024 | 8.7% | 24.0% |
2023 | 8.8% | 22.6% |
What to Do After Being Deferred by Cornell
Understand that a deferred application will be reconsidered during the regular decision phase.
So, use this time to update your application with any new internships, achievements, or volunteer work. You can also write a letter of continued interest, showing Cornell that you are very interested in attending their prestigious institution.
Going through all this can be challenging; that is where Rostrum comes in, and our seasoned counselors have helped every Rostrum student get a seat at the colleges of their dreams. Our customized program and a dedicated team of counselors will surely make your dream come true as well.
Fly high with Rostrum!
Author
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Yatharth is the co-founder of Rostrum education. He pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Mathematics and Statistics from London School of Economics and Political Science. He has worked with leading educational consultancies in the UK to tutor students and assist them in university admissions.
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