Ivy Day is the day when all 8 Ivy League universities release their Regular Decision admissions results simultaneously.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Ivy Day, including what it is, when it takes place, the universities involved, and key admissions trends over the past five years. It also offers guidance on what students should do after receiving their results, whether they are accepted, rejected, or waitlisted.
1. What is Ivy Day?
Ivy Day is the day all eight Ivy League universities simultaneously release their Regular Decision admission results for the upcoming fall semester.
The 8 Ivy League schools are: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), Princeton University, and Yale University.
These eight institutions are among the oldest and most respected universities in the United States, known for their academic excellence, enormous financial resources, powerful alumni networks, and highly competitive admissions.
Ivy Day has a global impact. At the same time, on the same day, hundreds of thousands of students from every corner of the world log into their applicant portals to find out whether they got in. For many students, it’s the culmination of three to four years of building toward a single goal.
2. When Is Ivy Day 2026?
Ivy Day typically falls in late March or early April. Ivy Day 2026 is March 26th.
Results are released through each school’s applicant portal, and students also receive an email notification when an update is available. Schools generally open their portals at the same time, typically around 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
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3. Which Other Schools Release Results Around Ivy Day?
The final weeks of March mark the peak of the college admissions season. Beyond the eight Ivy League schools, many other highly selective universities release their Regular Decision results in the same timeframe. Here’s a quick look at the release schedule for some notable schools:
Universities | Tentative Date |
UC Berkeley, Emory, Northwestern, Rice, NYU, Barnard | March 26, 2026 (Same with Ivy Day) |
UCLA, Duke | End of March |
UNC-Chapel Hill | 31/03/2026 |
Tufts, USC, Georgetown | Before or on April 1, 2026 |
Students can check each school’s admissions portal or official announcements for the most accurate release dates.
4. Admissions Trends in the Ivy League
Ivy League admissions have shifted significantly over the past five years. Here are the most important trends shaping the landscape heading into 2026:
Increasingly Competitive Acceptance Rates
The number of applications has surged, while the number of available spots has remained relatively stable (around 2,000 students per school). As a result, acceptance rates have dropped significantly.
- Columbia University saw applications rise from 36,000 in 2020 to nearly 60,000 in 2025. UPenn and Cornell reported record highs of 68,000–72,000 applications
- Current acceptance rates range from just 3% to 7%
The Return of Standardized Testing (SAT/ACT)
During the pandemic, most schools adopted test-optional policies, allowing students to apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, for the 2025–2026 cycle, the majority of Ivy League schools have reinstated standardized testing as a required component of the application.
Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Dartmouth have all brought back SAT/ACT requirements. While this has helped filter out less serious applicants, it has also intensified competition among students with already-strong test scores.
The Advantage of Early Applications
Applying early (Early Decision or Early Action) remains one of the most effective strategies. Acceptance rates in early rounds are often two to three times higher than in Regular Decision.
The Rise of “New Ivies”
As Ivy League admissions become more competitive, many students are turning to so-called “New Ivies” such as Vanderbilt, Rice, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Chicago. These schools offer exceptional academic quality and are increasingly recognized by top employers and academic circles.
5. What to Do After Receiving Your Ivy Day Results
Since Ivy Day covers Regular Decision results, you’ll fall into one of three categories when you open that portal:
Accepted: Congratulations! Take a moment to celebrate because you’ve earned it. From here, you’ll want to carefully compare your financial aid offers, visit campuses if you haven’t already, and make your final decision before the May 1st National Decision Day deadline.
Rejected: It stings, and it’s okay to feel disappointed. But a rejection from an Ivy League school is not a reflection of your worth or your future. Many students go on to thrive at other incredible universities. Take stock of your remaining acceptances, revisit schools you may have overlooked, and remember that fit matters far more than name recognition in the long run.
Waitlisted: Being waitlisted means the school hasn’t ruled you out, but they haven’t let you in yet either. If you’re serious about attending, send a letter of continued interest that expresses your enthusiasm and includes any meaningful updates to your application.
Each outcome requires a different next step. Students should carefully review their options and follow the appropriate procedures for their situation.
Ivy Day can be one of the most memorable moments in your college application journey. It’s when all your efforts, late nights studying for the SAT, countless revisions of your personal statement, and years of extracurricular involvement, culminate in a single decision.
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