Ivy Day 2023: Dates, Deadlines, and Advice
What’s Covered:
The Ivy League schools hold a unique place in American society – perhaps no other institutions of higher learning are as revered or idolized, even around the world. A pivotal moment in many high-achieving students’ lives is the one day a year – colloquially referred to as Ivy Day – on which all the Ivy League schools release their Regular Decision admissions decisions in the evening.
Ivy Day can result in a wide range of emotions, from jubilance to frustration, worry, uncertainty, and sadness. Even if you do receive that coveted acceptance letter, you might still feel some anxiety about financing your education or deciding whether an Ivy truly is the place for you. Keep reading to learn about the history of Ivy Day and get advice on how to handle this potentially stressful day.
The History of Ivy Day
A group of eight schools renowned for their academic excellence, the Ivies include Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale. Typically held in late March or early April, Ivy Day refers to the day when all the schools in the Ivy League release their Regular Admissions decisions.
However, the name might also stem from an annual celebration practiced at some Northeastern colleges. Each year, schools would place an ivy stone on a residential or administrative building to honor academic excellence. In the 1800s, this was known as planting the ivy.
What to Expect for Ivy Day 2023
For 2023, Ivy Day is set to take place at the end of March or the beginning of April.
In 2022, the date was March 31st, with decisions released at 7pm EST. Here’s what each of the Ivies say regarding this year’s Ivy Day:
- Harvard: “Regular Decision candidates apply by January 1 and receive notification by the end of March.”
- Princeton: “Late March – Decision Notification”
- Yale: “Decisions for Regular Decision candidates will be posted online via the Yale Admissions Status Portal by April 1.”
- Columbia: “Early April: Admissions and financial aid decisions released online to Regular Decision candidates”
- UPenn: “By April 2023”
- Brown: “Regular Decision letters available online: March 30.”
- Cornell: “Admission decisions and financial aid awards announced – Early April.”
- Dartmouth: “Students submit their application by January 3 and receive an admission decision by late March or early April”
Ivy League Acceptance Rates in 2022
|
School Name |
Applicants |
Accepted |
Rejected |
Waitlisted |
Acceptance Rate |
|
Harvard University |
43,330 |
2,009 |
41,321 |
N/A |
4.56% |
|
Princeton University |
32,804 |
1,895 |
30,909 |
902 |
5.8% |
|
Yale University |
36,844 |
2,241 |
34,603 |
984 |
6.1% |
|
Columbia University |
42,569 |
2,245 |
40,324 |
N/A |
5.3% |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
44,961 |
3,446 |
41,515 |
2,932 |
7.7% |
|
Brown University |
38,674 |
2,733 |
35,941 |
N/A |
7.1% |
|
Cornell University |
49,114 |
5,330 |
43,784 |
4,948 |
10.9% |
|
Dartmouth University |
23,650 |
1,875 |
21,775 |
2,151 |
7.9% |
What to Do If You’re Accepted, Waitlisted, or Rejected
Just because students have been waiting eagerly for Ivy Day doesn’t mean they’re always prepared for the reality of receiving their letters. Regardless of whether you were accepted, waitlisted, or rejected from a school, you might be wondering what happens now. Keep reading for some suggestions on how to handle the process and what to do next.
Accepted
Of course, being accepted by one or more schools is the best possible outcome on Ivy Day. However, that doesn’t mean students who received acceptance letters can rest easy. On the contrary, some students may feel pressure to attend an Ivy even if they feel it’s not the best possible fit.
It’s important to choose a college that provides the best environment for you to grow academically and socially. If you don’t feel happy about attending an Ivy League school, you probably shouldn’t let its prestige sway your decision.
Even if you do want to attend an Ivy, getting in doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to afford tuition. In some cases, students turn down Ivies because of a lack of financial aid. The good news is that competitive applicants can often negotiate better aid packages. This is especially true for applicants who get into multiple Ivy League institutions. Luckily, we at CollegeVine have some tips on negotiating successfully.
If you do want to attend an Ivy, and you receive an acceptance letter on Ivy Day, be sure to send in your deposit on time. Typically, deposits are due by May 1. Check with your specific institution to confirm the date your acceptance is due.
Waitlisted
Being waitlisted by your dream school might be the most frustrating outcome on Ivy Day. After all, if you’re rejected, you can move on and make plans to attend your second-choice school. However, waitlisted students sometimes feel like they’re living in limbo.
If you wind up on the waitlist at your top-choice college, the first step is to accept the invitation. Doing this lets admissions officials know that you’re interested and keeps you in the running for a spot, should one open up. Then the waiting begins.
Students often want to know how they can better their chances of getting off the waitlist and receiving an admissions offer. Unfortunately, many competitive colleges admit only a handful of waitlisted students each application cycle — or even none at all.
While getting off the waitlist is a challenge, writing a letter of continued interest may help increase your odds. Experts recommend addressing the letter to their specific regional admissions officer rather than the admissions committee in general. Additionally, students may boost their chances by focusing on how they’ll contribute to the community rather than simply restating their grades and qualifications. For example, you could talk about how you contribute in high school and share the ways you’ll do the same in college.
Rejected
Rejection is painful for everyone, and students who receive a ‘no’ on Ivy Day may feel particularly devastated because of the pressure they experience during the application process. It’s important to remember that Ivy League schools admit only a fraction of the students who apply. In other words, the vast majority of applicants are in the same boat you are. Remember that admissions decisions are very subjective and try to avoid letting the opinion of one admissions committee affect your self-esteem.
Additionally, students who received a rejection letter should remember that they don’t have to attend an Ivy to achieve success in their chosen careers or to lead happy lives. Although students sometimes wonder if they should take a gap year and reapply, or transfer into an Ivy later, there’s no guarantee that these plans will lead to the desired outcome. Instead, students are usually better off going with their second-choice school.
As you continue through the application process, it’s important to remember that college is about a lot more than the school name on your diploma. In fact, many students wind up having incredible experiences at schools that weren’t their first choice. Moreover, students often discover academic interests, passions, and friends they wouldn’t have found if they went to the school they initially intended.
At CollegeVine, we’re committed to helping students navigate the admissions process and gain acceptance to their dream schools. Do you have more questions about Ivy League admissions or another topic? Check out our free Q&A forum for advice from admissions experts and peers. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals.
