Surprising New Trends: Class of 2029 Acceptance Rates 🎉

Summer is almost here and schools have started to release their admissions data for the Class of 2029. Similar to last year, many schools saw a record-high number of applications and some reported significant changes in acceptance rates. For rising seniors and younger high school students, it’s important to understand what these changes mean for you.

For this admissions cycle, we saw an increasing number of universities choosing to withhold admissions data entirely or until later this year, with Harvard joining the trend that Cornell, Princeton, and Stanford have set. Take a look at our Early Decision Results post for an overview of the reasoning behind the decision to withhold admissions data and a summary of this year’s Early Decision and Early Action acceptance rates. 

For overall acceptance rates, there are a few trends in the data worth pointing out. All Ivy League schools that have released data this year reported an increase in overall acceptance rates, while nearly all rates for other schools listed in the top 35 for National Universities decreased. One reason for this shift is that as Ivy League universities have become more competitive, more students are deciding to apply to other elite universities instead of, or in addition to, those schools.

NYU, for example, reported a record-breaking 120,000+ applications for the Class of 2029, which is thought to be the highest number of applications received by any private institution in the US. Vanderbilt also reported a record-high number of applications and saw its acceptance rate decrease by over 1%, dropping below 5% for the first time. The astonishing number of applicants at top 35 schools has inevitably led to lower acceptance rates—nearly matching the selectivity of Ivy League institutions. 

For more information, review the color-coded table below, which lists the overall acceptance rate data for many of our B2A students' top-choice colleges:

School	Class of 2029	Class of 2028	Class of 2027
Brown University	5.65%	5.15%	5.09%
Columbia University	4.29%	3.86%	4.00%
Dartmouth College	6.03%	5.40%	6.23%
Yale University	4.60%	3.87%	4.50%
MIT	4.52%	4.55%	4.80%
Vanderbilt University	4.70%	5.86%	6.28%
Duke University	4.80%	5.40%	5.99%
Northwestern University	~7.00%	7.60%	7.22%
Rice University	7.75%	8.00%	7.88%
New York University	7.70%	9.23%	9.41%
University of Southern California	10.40%	9.80%	10.01%
Tufts University	10.50%	11.53%	10.13%
University of Notre Dame	9.00%	11.27%	12.38%
Georgetown University	12.00%	12.91%	13.08%
Georgia Institute of Technology	12.74%	14.07%	16.46%
Emory University	~9.6%	10.29%	10.65%
Boston College	12.6%	15.87%	15.65%
University of Virginia (out-of-state)	12.5%	13.83%	13.18%
Swarthmore College	7.43%	7.46%	6.93%
William & Mary	36.33%	34.09%	37.72%
Wellesley College	13.70%	14.06%	13.91%
University of Georgia	32.90%	~37.36%	37.19%
Oberlin College	34.00%	34.30%	32.98%

What YOU can do with this information

As college admissions grow increasingly competitive every year, it is imperative to understand this kind of data to ensure that you are prepared for the rigor of the application process. Here are three steps that you can take now with this year’s acceptance rates in mind:

1. Start creating a well-rounded and balanced college list. Research the admissions data and selectivity of various colleges so you can accurately categorize schools based on your specific profile. Refine your list to ensure you apply to a range of schools that are the best fit for you.

2. Be prepared to apply early. During your research process, make sure you strategize where to apply Early Decision and/or Early Action to improve your admissions chances. Then, set yourself up for success by getting a head start on your college applications. 

3. Fill gaps in your academic and extracurricular profile. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or rising senior, decide what you can do to make yourself a more competitive applicant. Are you missing research experience or an internship? Do you need to add more volunteering and service-based activities? Are you involved at your school and in your community? Do you have a competitive SAT/ACT score or do you need to get ahead on AP/IB coursework to improve your GPA and rank? Spend this summer rounding out your profile and putting a long-term plan in place for college!

Are you unsure about your admissions chances? B2A offers an array of services that are designed to help you stand out among the sea of applicants. 

Our 10-week, all-inclusive Gateway Program for rising seniors gives you the chance to receive professional guidance on your resume, essays, and all other materials for up to 5 applications. Weekly meetings with your admissions counselor will provide personalized strategies and detailed feedback on your profile and application materials.

Thinking ahead? Our Steps Program for students in grades 7-11 will guide you through every step of your journey to college. By strategizing extracurriculars, course selection, and standardized test prep, your counselor will provide hands-on guidance to improve your academic and extracurricular profile, ensuring that you have the best shot of acceptance at your dream school.