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It’s now officially the countdown to Ivy Day 2026. This year, the Regular Decision (RD) results for the eight Ivy League schools are expected to be released on Thursday, March 26, at around 7:00 PM Eastern Time.
Before we get to the article, you must know that admission portals often update before you receive email notifications. Many students’ results appear in the portal first, followed by their emails later. Because portals may experience heavy traffic and slower response times, we recommend that you log in periodically (every few minutes), stay patient, and avoid refreshing the site repeatedly.
What Is Ivy Day?
Ivy Day is the day when the eight Ivy League institutions will release their Regular Decision (RD) admissions results, usually happening within a similar time window in late March. These universities include:
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Princeton University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cornell University
- Brown University
- Dartmouth College
- Columbia University
Ivy Day is not an official holiday, but it is widely recognized by applicants as the shared release period for regular decisions. This day is not the final deadline to confirm enrollment, which typically falls on May 1, also known as National College Decision Day.
Ivy Talent Reminder: Each exact release time of results may vary per university. If one school hasn’t posted its results yet, do not panic. You need to be patient.
What Are the Results That You Might See? What Should You Do Next?
Ivy Day results generally fall into these three categories: Accepted, Rejected, or Waitlisted. With each outcome, you will have a distinct set of next steps to take.
Accepted
If you see an “Admit” status in your application results, congratulations! You can pause to celebrate for a moment, and then follow these steps to manage your next moves clearly and confidently.
What to do after getting accepted:
- Carefully review your admission portal and any instructions on the page.
- Note any conditions listed, such as submitting final transcripts or completing certain courses.
- Check financial aid or scholarship details, including amounts and deadlines.
- Confirm deposit deadlines (usually May 1) and process your payment before that date.
- If you’ve been admitted to multiple schools, build a decision comparison chart. You can use our guide as a reference: Not Sure How to Choose Colleges? Here’s a 4-Step Method to Help You Narrow Down Your Search!
- Contact the admissions office if you find any part of your offer unclear.
The goal is for you to make a well‑informed decision that aligns with your academic interests and personal priorities.
Rejected
Waiting for admissions decisions can be emotionally draining, and it’s normal for you to feel disappointed when you get rejected. But you must remember that rejection from an Ivy League school does not define your potential or your future success.
Why this happens: Ivy League schools are among the most competitive universities not just in the US, but in the world, with their acceptance rates typically in the single digits. Even extraordinarily qualified students are often denied or rejected due to limited space, yield management strategies, and holistic goals.
What to do next after getting rejected:
- Revisit your confirmed acceptances from other schools.
- Talk with a trusted mentor, counselor, or family member about your next steps.
- If you are considering transfering universities or alternative programs, explore them now with guidance from a mentor or an alumni.
- Focus on where you are going, not where you are not going.
Waitlisted
Being placed on a waitlist can make you feel uncertain, not knowing what will happen next. Here are some Important steps for waitlisted students:
- Confirm your interest if required. Some schools require an active acceptance of waitlist status via their portal.
- Submit updated materials, if allowed. These can include:
- Most recent transcript
- New awards or recognitions
- Additional activity updates
- Write a focused Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI). You can briefly write about your enthusiasm for the school and any recent academic or extracurricular progress.
Ivy Talent Education reminder: A waitlist means uncertainty. You must not rely on it, nor overinvest emotionally in the waitlist. Meanwhile, what you can do is to proceed confidently with your accepted offers to ensure a secure plan by May 1. For more information, check out our guide on how to handle waitlists: College Waitlist Strategy — 5 Proven Steps to Get Accepted.
Key Dates After Ivy Day:
Early to Mid-April: Some schools may release limited waitlist offers, but the changes are generally minor.
May 1: National College Decision Day, which is the final enrollment confirmation deadline for most US colleges. Schools will then adjust their waitlist offers based on confirmed enrollments.
May to June: The waitlist phase is most active during this period. Many schools release offers in multiple rounds. Waitlisted students should monitor their emails closely and be ready to respond.
How Competitive Will Ivy League Admissions Be in 2026?
In recent years, overall acceptance rates have remained between 3% and 7%:
- Harvard: 3.4%
- Yale: 3.7% to 4.6%
- Princeton: 4% to 5%
- Columbia: 4%
- UPenn and Brown: 5%
- Dartmouth: 5% to 6%
- Cornell: 6% to 8%
This means that for every 100 applicants, only 3 to 7 students are typically admitted.
A closer look: The Regular Decision phase has become even more competitive because a significant number of spots are filled during Early Decision (ED).
For the Class of 2029:
- Brown ED admitted ~900 students
- Yale ED admitted ~700 students
- UPenn ED admitted ~1,200 students, nearly half the incoming class
Other Ivy League schools maintain similarly high ED rates, leaving fewer spots for RD applicants. This makes the RD phase highly competitive regardless of minor fluctuations in overall acceptance rates. You can check out more details here: What’s the Difference Between Early Action Vs. Regular Decision?
Ivy Talent Education Advice: Three Takeaways
Acknowledge your emotions, but don’t let them make your decisions
Joy, disappointment, or uncertainty is a natural phase of your college application season. Give yourself one evening to process all these emotions, but avoid making any major choices that night that you might regret in the future.
Your worth is not defined by an acceptance letter
With acceptance rates at 3%–7%, many outstanding students will face rejection. This reflects institutional limitations, not your personal capability. Celebrate your efforts and commitment over the past four years.
Your next four years matter more than this day
Many students who enter their dream schools struggle to find direction, while others thrive in schools that were once considered their “backup” option. Admission is the start of your college journey, not the final destination. Focus on how you will grow, learn, and take advantage of opportunities over the next four years.
Support from Ivy Talent Education
Ivy Day is a milestone, not a definition of your potential as a student. Whether you feel joy, disappointment, or uncertainty, remember that a single decision letter does not define your future path. Every student has their own unique strengths and opportunities ahead. This day is just one step toward an exciting, four-year journey of growth, learning, and exploration. Stay focused on the choices you can control, and trust that the thoughtful action you take today will open doors for tomorrow.
If you want expert guidance to interpret your results, navigate waitlists, or compare multiple offers, feel free to contact us to schedule a free consultation. Our advisors will help you create a personalized plan tailored to your goals, timeline, and priorities so that you can move forward with confidence!
