When Do Ivy League Decisions Come Out?

Photo of a lady checking her watch to make sure she knows when the Ivy school decisions are released
Updated:
February 14, 2024
Expert Reviewed
Contents

”Mary

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 4/28/23

Follow along to learn everything you need to know about early and regular Ivy league decisions. 

When applicants think of Ivy League schools, they think of prestige, competition, and world-class education. If you've applied to any Ivy League schools, you're probably wondering when Ivy League decision day is. 

Read on for more information about when Ivy League decisions come out, how you can apply to Ivy League schools, and more. 

About the Ivy League

The Ivy League originally started as an NCAA athletic conference for Division I between eight Northeastern colleges: 

Today, the Ivy League has less to do with sports and is well-known for high-caliber instruction, plentiful resources, and world-class academic opportunities. These highly selective schools have excellent name recognition and are popular additions to any high-achieving student’s school list

When Do Ivy League Decisions Come Out?

So, when do Ivy League decisions come out? While there are no exact deadlines listed yet for this application cycle, there are general timeframes for when you should hear back from each school through Early Decision or Regular Decision. 

Ivy League Early Decision Dates 

Every Ivy League school has an Early Decision pool and, although deadlines and restrictions vary, Ivy League decision day for most Early Decision programs is sometime in Mid-December..Outlined below are when you can expect Early Decision application deadlines and when these Ivy decisions come out. 

Brown University

Brown’s Early Decision Plan requires you to submit your application by the beginning of November. You can expect to hear a decision in mid-December

Columbia University

Columbia Early Decision applicants must submit their applications by mid-November. You should expect to hear a response by December

Cornell University

Cornell Early Decision applicants must submit all application materials by the beginning of November. Decisions are typically released in mid-December

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth Early Decision requires you to submit all application materials by the beginning of November. You should hear a decision about your application by mid-December

Harvard University

Harvard Restrictive Early Action applicants should submit their applications by the beginning of November. Decisions are typically released in Mid-December

Princeton University

Single-Choice Early Action requires you to submit your application by the beginning of November. You will receive your decision sometime in mid-December

University of Pennsylvania

UPenn’s Early Decision program requires applicants to submit applications by the beginning of November. Decisions are typically released by mid-December

Yale University

Single Choice Early Action at Yale's deadline is early November. You will hear back regarding your admissions decision sometime in mid-December.

Find out the early decision notification dates for other top schools with our notification date tracker for Early Decision!

Ivy League Regular Decision Dates

If you're not applying to your first-choice school but want to apply to more Ivy League schools, you'll apply through Regular Decision. All Ivy League schools require candidates to submit their applications at the beginning of January. 

Most Ivy decisions come out at the end of March or the beginning of April on Ivy League Decision Day (colloquially known as “Ivy Day”). Ivy League Decision Day is when all Ivy schools release admissions decisions on the same day. You can imagine the excitement and nervousness as students across the country anxiously await Ivy League Decision Day! 

Ivy Day is only for Regular Decision applicants: Ivy decisions come out at different times for Early Decision applicants. 

What Are the Ways I Can Apply to Ivy League Schools? 

Infographic outlining the ways to apply to Ivy league schools

There are three ways you can apply to Ivy League schools: through each school’s respective Early Decision program, Regular Decision program, or as a transfer student. You can use the Common Application, Coalition Application, or Questbridge Application (please double-check school requirements before using any portal). 

High school seniors or graduates not in college can choose to apply through Early or Regular Decision. 

Early Decision

Applying through Early Decision is best for students applying to their first-choice schools. Please keep in mind that the terms of your Early Decision agreement can differ: some Ivy schools are restrictive, while others are non-binding. 

Applying through Early Decisions means you’ll need to create, edit, and finalize your application sooner than Regular Decision. 

Regular Decision 

Most students apply to multiple Ivy League schools through Regular Decision. If you apply to one or more Ivy schools, you should receive your admissions decisions on Ivy Day. 

Transfer Applications 

Transfer applicants will follow many of the same application steps as their first-year peers: you’ll need to use either the Common or Coalition Application to apply. Ivy League transfer applications are typically due in early to mid-March.

Ivy League Decision FAQs 

Do you still have questions about Ivy League decisions? Read on to learn more! 

1. What Time Are Decisions Released on Ivy League Decision Day? 

Decisions are typically released around 5pm to 7pm on Ivy Day (EST). 

2. Which Ivy League School Is the Easiest to Get Into? 

The easiest Ivy to get into is widely considered to be Cornell University. Cornell historically has had acceptance rates in the double digits, but recent class profile data shows an acceptance rate of between 7-8%. 

3. Do All Ivy League Schools Release Decisions on the Same Day?

If you applied through Regular Decision, yes. You’ll learn the statuses of your applications on Ivy League Decision Day. Admissions decision release time for Early Decision can vary. 

4. Which Ivy League School Has the Highest Early Decision Acceptance Rate? 

According to recent information, Dartmouth College accepted the most Early Decision applicants. Almost half of the previous incoming class (46%) comprises Early Decision students. 

5. Should I Apply Through Early Decision to An Ivy League School? 

If an Ivy League school is your first choice, you're confident you can produce a stellar application on time, and you're okay with not comparing financial aid, then applying through Early Decision may be the right choice. 

6. When Do Ivy Decisions Come Out for Transfer Applicants? 

You can generally expect to hear back about your admissions decision as a transfer student by mid-May

7. Which Ivy League School Accepts the Most Transfer Students? 

Cornell accepts the most transfer students. However, Dartmouth College has the highest transfer acceptance rate. 

Final Thoughts 

Waiting to hear back about your college application can keep you on the edge of your seat. However, now you know when Ivy decisions come out, and you can keep your eyes peeled for Ivy League Decision Day. Waiting can be tough, but remember that admissions committees have many decisions to make. 

There really isn’t much you can do while you wait. It’s best to avoid stressing out over your admissions decision: you’ll know soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your senior year! 

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