Yale Admitted 728 Students in EA to the Class of 2029

 As screens lit up Tuesday evening, 728 early action applicants to Yale heard the unmistakable chant: “Bulldogs! Bulldogs! Bow, wow, wow! Eli Yale.” For these students, it was the moment they learned of their admission into Yale’s class of 2029.  

This year, Yale received 6,729 early action applicants to the class of 2029, and of those, 10.82 percent were admitted, marking one of the lowest early acceptance rates in Yale’s history. Last year, Yale admitted 9.02 percent of early applicants, the lowest early admit rate in more than two decades. 

Of the remaining applications to the class of 2029, 17 percent were deferred for reconsideration in the spring, 71 percent were denied admission, and 1 percent were withdrawn or incomplete. Deferred students will receive their final admissions decision on March 27, alongside students applying for admission on the regular timeline.

“Members of the admissions committee were impressed by the breadth and depth of achievements, experiences, interests, and ambitions among our early action applicants,” wrote Jeremiah Quinlan, dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid, in a press release. “We look forward to considering and offering admission to many more outstanding applicants through the upcoming regular decision round.”

The class of 2029, which saw a 14 percent decrease in early applications, is the first to apply under Yale’s new test-flexible policy.

After four years of a test-optional policy that allowed applicants to decide whether to submit test scores, the class of 2029 applicants must submit standardized test scores. Applicants may select one or more types of tests from a list of four options — SAT, ACT, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate. Those who choose to send AP or IB scores are required to include results from all subject exams that they have taken.

“The small decrease in this year’s early action applicant pool is exactly in line with what we anticipated following the change in our standardized testing policy,” wrote Quinlan.

However, compared with the 2019-20 admissions cycle, the most recent cycle in which Yale required standardized testing of all applicants, this year’s early action pool has approximately 1,000 more applications, an increase of 17 percent.

The class of 2029 is also the second to be admitted since the Supreme Court struck down race-conscious college admissions. In the class of 2028, the first admitted with race-blind admissions, Black and Latine enrollment remained stable while the share of Asian American students slightly decreased.

This admissions cycle also continues a recent trend of Yale rejecting more early applicants than it defers. The News previously reported that data suggest that the admissions office previously preferred to delay final calls on applications until the spring regular decision date. But starting with the class of 2025, the office began moving toward rejecting a larger share of applicants in the early action round itself. 

Quinlan previously said that this change was driven by two primary factors.

“First, the increase in applications,” Quinlan previously told the News. “Deferring an application means the committee has to reconsider the application going forward … [so] we are pushing ourselves to make more final decisions in the early application round. The second thing was that we heard from our colleagues in high schools across the country that it is useful to offer final decisions earlier.”

Earlier in the month, Yale College also admitted 66 students to the class of 2029 through the QuestBridge College Match, a program that connects high-achieving high school students from lower-income backgrounds with selective universities nationwide. 

Students accepted through QuestBridge receive a financial aid award that covers the full cost of tuition, housing and meals. The University also provides hospitalization insurance coverage and a $2,000 start-up grant in each student’s first year.  

QuestBridge finalists who did not match with any of the partner institutions but ranked Yale on their list of preferred schools will be automatically entered into the University’s regular decision pool. If accepted, these students will not be required to matriculate.

In April, the admissions office will invite all newly admitted students to visit campus for Bulldog Days, a three-day experience where admitted students can experience life at Yale through campus tours, panels and student performances.

Beginning in January, the admissions office will begin to review its regular decision applicants. Those students will receive their admissions decisions in March. 

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is located at 38 Hillhouse Ave.

https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/12/17/yale-admits-10-8-percent-of-early-applicants/

MIT Admitted 721 in EA to the Class of 2029

 This year, 12,053 students applied early to the MIT Class of 2029, and as of *checks watch* right now, we have offered early admission to 721. Though they are all different in their own way —  mechanics and muralists, plantdads and playwrights, tenors and tinkerers  — they are united by a shared standard of rigorous academics, high character, and a strong match with MIT’s mission to use science, technology, and the useful arts to make the world a better place. We can’t wait to welcome them to campus to join the 4,535 outstanding undergraduates already enrolled at MIT. 

We deferred 7486 applicants;⁠ these students will be reconsidered without prejudice in Regular Action, with decisions released sometime in March. If you are deferred, you are not expected to send us any new information besides the February Updates and Notes Form, which will be posted in mid-January to your application portal. We have posted more information for deferred students here; you can also read posts from bloggers who were deferred here, here, here, here, here, here, and most recently here.    

Given the competitiveness of our pool, we have also informed 3,039 students that we will not be able to offer them admission this year. This decision has been made with care, and it is final. I know this can be a difficult decision to receive, but trust me: it works out okay in the end. Take a deep breath, shake it out, and go crush the rest of your college applications (or whatever else you choose to do) this year.

The balance of our applicants —  807 —  withdrew from our process before we issued their decision.  

We recognize it’s a lot of effort for all of you to apply to MIT. It’s an honor and a privilege for us to read your applications. Thank you for sharing your story with us. 

Again, congratulations to the newest members of the Class of 2029. I’ll be closing comments on this post to focus the conversations on the open threads for admitted, deferred, and not admitted students. 

All best, everyone; wishing you a healthy and happy end of 2024, and bright beginnings to 2025. 

https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/mit-early-action-decisions-now-available-online-6/

Duke Admitted 849 Students in ED to the Class of 2029

Early Decision acceptances include 113 QuestBridge candidates

Duke has admitted its first 849 students to the Class of 2029.

Most of the students – 736 – applied to Duke under the Early Decision process, while 113 arrived through the QuestBridge National College Match program. These admitted students will comprise 49 percent of the next first-year class entering Duke in August.

Of the total, 672 will enroll in Trinity College and 177 will join the Pratt School of Engineering. Last year, 805 students were admitted in December.

The students received word of their admission Monday evening.

Early decision applicants indicate Duke is their first choice of university and commit to attending if admitted.

Duke received a record 6,627 Early Decision applications for the Class of 2029, representing an 8 percent increase over last year; in addition, 2,998 QuestBridge Finalists expressed an interest in matching with Duke. QuestBridge is a non-profit that helps academically exceptional students with low incomes apply to top universities; it has partnered with Duke since 2017. The number of students admitted to Duke through QuestBridge has more than doubled since 2022.

A record 207 of these admitted students are expected to be eligible for Pell Grants, and 131 indicate that they are first-generation college attendees. The Pell increase continues a trend among Duke undergraduates overall; about 23 percent of the current first-year class is eligible for Pell grants, twice as many as just two years prior.

There are 148 students from North and South Carolina in this admitted group, an increase of about 26 percent from just two years ago. That was when Duke unveiled its new Carolinas initiative, which now offers full tuition grants for undergraduates admitted to Duke from the Carolinas whose family incomes are $150,000 or less. For students from family incomes of $65,000 or less, Duke will provide full tuition grants, plus financial assistance for housing, meals and some course materials or other campus expenses, without the need for student loans.

“The applicant pool this year is remarkably deep and diverse,” said Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “We are excited that these talented students have committed to join us next year as we continue to broaden access to Duke.”

Students will join Duke from 45 states and the District of Columbia and represent 30 countries. The states most represented are North Carolina, New York, California, Florida, New Jersey, and Texas. Outside the United States, the countries most represented are China, the United Kingdom, Canada, India and Brazil. 

“It was more challenging than ever to choose among so many appealing and accomplished students,” said Christoph Guttentag, Duke’s dean of undergraduate admissions. “I’m pleased we were able to find room for slightly more students than last year. They’ll be a terrific foundation for the entering class.”

https://today.duke.edu/2024/12/duke-announces-first-members-class-2029

Emory Admitted 995 Students in ED to the Class of 2029

“Emory University is in the incredibly fortunate, but also difficult, position of having a high number of exceptional applicants seeking the limited spaces in the class,” says Butt. “As our Early Decision applicant pool has not only grown in size but also academic readiness, we have responded to that case-by-case. We are not just looking at the academic preparation of the student, but carefully reviewing their personal narratives and imagining them on campus.”

Kelley Lips, assistant vice provost and dean of Oxford enrollment, welcomes the dramatic increase of applications for Oxford College entry, noting the great potential for impact.

“The record-breaking number of Early Decision I applicants for Oxford College reflects the growing recognition of the distinctive opportunities we offer within a liberal arts intensive environment,” says Lips. “This incoming class brings exceptional talent, diverse perspectives and a shared enthusiasm for learning that will enrich our community. We are excited to welcome them to Oxford and Emory to see the meaningful contributions they will make to campus life.”

Earlier this month, Emory welcomed a group of 64 QuestBridge Scholars to the Class of 2029, with four attending Oxford College.

The QuestBridge National College Match program is a nonprofit that links highly qualified students from low-income backgrounds with 52 of the nation’s leading universities. Through this partnership, QuestBridge Match Scholars receive a four-year financial aid award, covering full tuition and fees, room and board, and books and supplies.

For the Class of 2029, Emory reviewed 1,457 QuestBridge applications, with the majority of matches — 49 students — being among the first generation in their families to attend a four-year college in the United States. Eleven students from Georgia matched with Emory. Across the entire admissions period, many more QuestBridge applications will be reviewed.

Emory boasts one of the largest QuestBridge Scholars Networks in the nation, with more than 500 students currently attending the Atlanta and Oxford campuses. Emory QuestBridge Scholars include the previous years’ match scholars along with other students who enroll through the Regular Decision cycle. The active student-run organization provides an authentic and supportive community, helping students navigate the transition to college and connect with resources around campus.

“Each year, QuestBridge empowers us to welcome talented, underrepresented voices into our incoming class,” says Fields. “These exceptional students, as the inaugural members of the class, set a high standard for the academic excellence that defines our community.”

Students admitted through the QuestBridge Scholars program are eager to arrive on campus and explore their paths at Emory.

“Emory has been my dream school for as long as I can remember, and being admitted validated all the hard work I had put into the application process and throughout my past four years in high school,” says Nathaly Alvarez-Galdamez, from Douglasville, Georgia.

Touring campus, Alvarez-Galdamez says she quickly recognized Emory as an environment where she could thrive academically and personally. Drawn to the medical field, she will study biology and sociology on the pre-med track on the Atlanta campus, all made possible by the QuestBridge program.

“As a low-income and first-generation student, QuestBridge has given me an opportunity that made my dream school a reality and lifted a huge financial burden off my family in my pursuit of higher education,” says Alvarez-Galdamez. “I am beyond grateful for the support QuestBridge has provided me.” 

Emory also rose to the top of the list for Andres Guzman from Imperial, California, after he researched opportunities in his discipline, study abroad excursions and the proximity to Atlanta. 

Guzman, who will attend the Oxford campus and wants to study Spanish and linguistics along with international studies, waited to share the exciting moment with those he loved.

“It was so difficult to not instantly open the decision. I really wanted to wait for my cousins to be with me,” says Guzman. “I finally opened it after school and when I realized I matched with Emory, I was shocked and excited. If it were not for QuestBridge, I would have never bothered applying myself and trying to dream big.”

Alazare Atlaw from Nashville, Tennessee, also opened his QuestBridge match amongst friends.

“Getting that notification that I matched with Emory was probably one of the most riveting moments of my life,” says Atlaw. “I got the chance to celebrate with my friends who were with me when I opened my application status, so my energy was at an all-time high. The QuestBridge program revolutionized the way I approached college applications and encouraged me to shoot for the stars.”

Atlaw, who plans to study political science and philosophy, politics and law, will call the Atlanta campus home.

“Emory’s position as both a research and liberal arts university gives me a lot of opportunities to pursue while I am there,” says Atlaw. “Likewise, the location also really excites me. Being in Atlanta for college just opens the door to so many internships and job-shadowing opportunities.”

For Emily Maikoo from North Bennington, Vermont, being an Emory Eagle runs in the family.

After her brother matched with Emory through QuestBridge in 2019, she knew she wanted to follow in his footsteps while also charting a new path for herself.

“QuestBridge provided my brother and I with the opportunity to get the education our parents had always dreamed of, opening doors that when I was a little kid seemed like a faraway dream,” says Maikoo. “Thanks to QuestBridge, I have the opportunity to build the career I always wanted, with no financial burden on my parents.”

Planning to study political science on the Atlanta campus, Maikoo is confident Emory is the ideal place to study this interdisciplinary topic.

“As a first-generation immigrant, I have seen firsthand how impactful politics can be on society, and I know that at Emory, I will be able to learn how to work with and interact with the political and legal system to advocate for others,” she says.

https://news.emory.edu/stories/2024/12/er_ed_class_2029_12-12-2024/story.html

JHU Admitted 551 Students in ED to the Class of 2029

Five hundred fifty one students from 15 countries, 43 states, one U.S. territory, and the District of Columbia were admitted to Johns Hopkins University today. These first members of the undergraduate Class of 2029 include students admitted through Early Decision I and the university's second cohort of QuestBridge Scholars. The QuestBridge National College Match connects outstanding low-income high school seniors with admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation's most selective colleges and universities.

"We're honored that so many talented students from around the world identified Hopkins as their top choice when applying to college," said Ellen Chow, dean of undergraduate admissions. "While this cohort of students represents a broad range of interests and perspectives that mirror not only our university community but the world at large, they share a sense of curiosity and desire to make a difference in their communities. In their applications, we saw an eagerness to exchange ideas, engage with diverse perspectives, and apply what they learn to make an impact."

The cohort includes a student who founded their high school's first geopolitics and international relations club, creating a space for moderated discussions across viewpoints on global issues such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. It also includes the inventor of a patent-pending microrobot to break down plaque in coronary arteries, a two-time Junior Olympics water polo champion, a published writer studying Mexican Indigenous medicine and the science behind it, a world champion in Irish dance, and the developer of an award-winning publication empowering women in business through financial literacy. They've also published and presented their research, supported family members, launched businesses, tutored their peers, and brought home medals from global competitions.

Their high school teachers and counselors describe them as adaptable, self-aware, academic leaders interested in understanding the "why" behind concepts. They are eager to take on new challenges and naturally support their peers through collaboration and encouragement. Their enthusiasm extends beyond the classroom, mobilizing their communities around the common good and leaving a lasting impact. During high school, 87% held part-time jobs, internships, or summer jobs; 53% were active in the arts; 61% were involved in athletics; and 43% were involved in policy, civic engagement, or advocacy work, showing their initiative to drive change in their communities.

Of the admitted students, 20% will be the first in their families to go to college, and 61% attend a public high school. Sixty-eight percent plan to enroll in the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, and the remainder plan to enroll in the Whiting School of Engineering.

"Throughout high school, these students have demonstrated values that align with our community. They are poised to take ownership over their college experience, build deep connections, and take advantage of all the opportunities at Hopkins," Chow said. "We look forward to seeing how these students shape our campus in the years to come."

The remainder of the Class of 2029 will be selected from the Early Decision II and Regular Decision applicant pools. Early Decision II and Regular Decision applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on Jan. 2. Early Decision II decisions will be released Feb. 14, and regular admissions decisions will be announced March 21.

https://hub.jhu.edu/2024/12/13/johns-hopkins-class-of-2029-early-decision/

Brown Admitted 906 Students in ED to the Class of 2029

 On Friday afternoon, Brown University welcomed 906 of its 5,048 early decision applicants to the class of 2029 — the highest acceptance rate in over half a decade.

Credited to a marked decrease in the number of applicants and increase in the admitted cohort’s size, Brown’s acceptance rate soared to levels not seen since the class of 2023. 

The class of 2027 remains the most competitive early decision class in history, with the class of 2028 falling in a close second place.

This year saw nearly 1,200 fewer applicants compared to last year, signifying a loss of about one-fifth of the university's Covid-era applicant pool.

Of the applicants, 61.8% were denied and 17.8% were deferred to the regular decision pool. Slightly more than 2% of applications were withdrawn or remained incomplete after their review but before decisions were released, according to University Spokesperson Brian Clark.

“We expected a total applicant pool comparable to the years before the temporary test-optional policy,” said Associate Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Logan Powell in a press release, citing Brown’s newly-resurrected application requirement: standardized test scores.

The class of 2029 is the first to apply with the reinstated mandatory test scores policy and the second to apply under the Supreme Court’s outlaw of race-based affirmative action. Brown reinstated the test requirement in part because “some students from less advantaged backgrounds are choosing not to submit scores under the test-optional policy, when doing so would actually increase their chances of being admitted,” according to an advisory committee on admissions practices.

Powell said the admitted class “expressed an enthusiasm to embrace Brown’s Open Curriculum and a deep interest in listening to and learning from one another.”

This year’s application pool saw a 22% increase in international students who enjoyed a need-blind review of their application for the first time in Brown’s history. The new Brunonians hail from 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, along with 51 different countries.

Outside of the United States, the top countries represented by the admitted students are Canada, China, the United Kingdom and India. Those were also the top four countries represented by the ED class of 2028. Within the United States, California, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Texas topped the list.

Powell highlighted that “when comparing this year’s pool to the Class of 2024 — the last class admitted before the test-optional policy — it has expanded across nearly every region with a superlative group of talented applicants from across the country and around the world.”

Earlier this month, the University pointed to increasing the number of Questbridge applicants as one strategy they intend to rely on to maintain diversity after the fall of race-based affirmative action, The Herald previously reported. 

The class of 2028 saw a 40% drop in the share of Black students and a 29% decrease in Hispanic students compared to the previous class.

Twenty two students were accepted into the eight-year Program in Liberal Medical Education, a combined undergraduate and medical school program. 

According to previous polling by The Herald, recruited student-athletes make up a large chunk of the early decision class. For the class of 2028, 14% of students admitted early were athletes. The University does not publicly disclose how many athletic recruits are admitted via early decision.

Of this year’s admitted students, 51.9% attended public schools, 35% attended private schools and 12.58% attended religious schools. This is similar to the distribution of the class of 2028. 

The percentage of first-generation students remained consistent with last year, as 19% of admitted students have parents who did not attend college. About 65% of admitted students applied for financial aid. 

The Herald’s first-year poll found that of the class of 2028, some students indicated that Brown was their top choice but didn’t apply early. Experts said uncertainty around financial aid fueled some of this apprehension in prospective applicants.

“If finances are not an issue at all, then a student can almost always end up applying early decision if their top choice offers it,” Sara Harberson, a former Penn admissions officer who now runs a private college admission consulting company, previously told The Herald. Brown offers financial aid calculators that prospective Brunonians can use to calculate their expected aid offers.

When deciding to keep early decision applications after a lengthy review of the policy, Brown acknowledged that the early decision applicant pool “is less diverse than the RD pool in terms of race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status; students who apply ED are less likely to be from historically underrepresented groups or be low-income, first-generation or international applicants.”

But they ultimately decided to continue offering this application cycle given the “overall size and strength of the applicant pool.”

At a December meeting of the Brown University Community Council — a forum of administrators, faculty, staff, students and alumni — President Christina Paxson P’19 P’MD’20 noted the importance of Brown’s early applicant pool to increasing the University’s overall yield. 

Paxson emphasized the role of “identifying really talented students and persuading them to apply early decision, because once they apply early decision, the yield is 100 percent,” she said.  

With the first cohort of the incoming class set, Brown’s admissions office is expected to review tens of thousands of regular decision applications submitted by the Jan. 3 deadline.

https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2024/12/brown-university-early-decision-class-of-2029

Cornell Admitted 5,139 Students to the Class of 2028

 As the ground begins to thaw and students on campus grow excited by a taste of spring, newly accepted students celebrate their soon-to-be migration to Ithaca.

At 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, regular decision applicants anxiously rushed to open the decisions from Cornell, joining accepted students from the early decision round. The highly-anticipated final Thursday of March is dubbed Ivy Day, referring to the release of regular decision results from all Ivy League colleges.

Cornell cumulatively offered admission to 5,139 students to the Class of 2028, a four percent increase to last year’s 4,994 acceptances. Students hail from all 50 states and all corners of the globe, and 16.5 percent of this year’s admits are first-generation students.
Accepted students described emotional reactions to seeing they would spend their next few years on the Hill.

“When I opened the letter, it took me about 30 seconds of just staring at my phone screen, and I didn’t even realize that confetti went off,” said Johanna Troelstra, an accepted student to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from Queensbury, New York. “I ran back into the school and told all my friends because I was so excited.”

Troelstra was not alone in sharing her excitement. Hannah Elfenbein, an accepted student to the Nolan School of Hospitality from Crested Butte, Colorado, recalled how, when opening her decision, she and her family showed their Cornell pride with their choice of clothing.
Leaderboard 2

“I had made all my parents wear red and we FaceTimed my sister.” Elfenbein shared. “After opening the letter and hearing the song play, all four of us cried.”

Many students said their acceptance manifested from years of dedication to academic and extracurricular pursuits and represents the realization of a lifelong dream.

“Cornell was my dream school since I was a kid,” said Audriana Varner, an accepted student to the College of Engineering from Indiana. “I always kept Cornell in the back of my mind as my ultimate goal. It was very shocking to have finally reached that moment.”

https://cornellsun.com/2024/03/29/cornell-admits-5139-students-to-class-of-2028/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cornell-admits-5139-students-to-class-of-2028&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=cornell-admits-5139-students-to-class-of-2028