March 30, 2025

The last Thursday in March is known as "Ivy Day," the day when Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania release their acceptance letters for their incoming first-year class. For thousands of hopeful applicants to the eight Ivy League schools, it is a day of celebration. However, for over 90% of applicants, Ivy Day brings disappointment in the form of a rejection. 

This year shows surprising changes in admissions patterns, with slightly higher acceptance rates due to fewer applications. In addition, three schools decided not to release any admission data, causing both experts and families to gasp. Let's take a closer look at this year's trends and shifts in the elite college admissions landscape.

Early Decision (ED) continues to provide a significant advantage. For the Class of 2029, Ivy League schools showed much higher acceptance rates for ED applicants compared to Regular Decision (RD). Brown University accepted 18% of ED applicants, while Columbia and Dartmouth admitted 12% and 17%, respectively. Cornell's ED acceptance rate reached approximately 19%, far exceeding its RD rate. This advantage extends beyond the Ivy League, with schools like Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt, and Rice typically accepting two to three times more ED applicants than applicants applying in their regular decision cycle. However, students should remember that ED is binding — if accepted, you must attend that institution.

Harvard College — Harvard University's undergraduate school — broke with decades of tradition when it released its regular decision offers for the Class of 2029 on Thursday evening. For the first time in nearly 70 years, Harvard didn't share its acceptance rate. They also held back the number of applicants and admits, following the same approach they used in December's Early Action round. In recent years, Harvard typically accepted between 1,085 and 1,245 regular decision applicants. 

In October 2024, their Admissions Office announced they wouldn't release any Class of 2029 data—acceptance rates, geographic breakdowns, yield rates—until fall 2025, when they must report to the Department of Education. This means that current Harvard students and the public won't know who makes up the incoming class until those students are settled on campus.

Harvard's admissions website explains this change as a response to the 2023 Supreme Court decision ending affirmative action: "Due to the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision, we are unable to access all information about Harvard's applicants, admitted students, and enrolling students, while the application review process is still underway." In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violated the Equal Protection Clause, effectively ending the consideration of applicants' race in college admissions.

This trend of withholding admissions data is not unique to Harvard. The University of Pennsylvania and Princeton also did not disclose their acceptance rates or detailed demographic data for the Class of 2029. 

Harvard's choice to hold back admissions data marks a strategic shift in how elite schools handle public image after the affirmative action ruling. While Harvard points to the Supreme Court decision as its rationale, the timing suggests that other, more complex motives may also be at play.

With the Trump administration recently cutting $400 million in federal grants from Columbia University due to "inaction" to protect Jewish students from harassment, schools like Harvard have good reason to be cautious about their admissions practices. Any perception that racial preferences might still influence admissions, even indirectly, could attract unwanted federal scrutiny and potential consequences.

With their decision to postpone disclosing their admission statistics, Harvard may be starting a new trend in elite college admissions—moving away from transparency toward protective opacity. For prospective students and families, this means less information to help with college planning and decisions.

Harvard's decision to withhold admissions data is just one example of how the landscape of elite college admissions is evolving. But while institutions focus on managing their public image, students increasingly focus on something else: their future beyond college. 

More and more applicants are asking, "What comes after graduation?" Rather than prioritizing prestige alone, they weigh factors like career opportunities, financial return on investment, and skill development. This shift is well-founded — recent reports highlight that even Harvard Business School graduates struggle to find jobs. In 2024, the percentage of Harvard MBAs still unemployed 90 days after graduation more than doubled from previous years, rising to 23% — the highest in over a decade. This trend underscores a growing reality: an elite degree no longer guarantees professional success.

As a result, students are rethinking what makes a college "worth it." Schools that emphasize career preparation — through internships, cooperative education programs, and industry connections — are becoming increasingly attractive. Students are looking for institutions that offer practical skills — the kind that directly translates into employability after graduation.

Navigating college admissions in 2025 requires strategic thinking and adaptability. As institutions evolve in response to changing trends, here is our advice for aligning your application strategy with what matters most

Look Beyond Rankings

While it is tempting to focus on prestigious institutions with the highest rankings, it is important to remember that a school's ranking does not necessarily equate to the best fit for you. Rankings often reflect general reputation and historical prestige but fail to capture the strengths and opportunities specific to individual programs. Evaluate potential schools based on their academic offerings, faculty expertise, campus culture, and resources that align with your particular educational and career goals.

Evaluate Program-Specific Strengths 

Instead of selecting schools based solely on their overall reputation, dive deeper into the specific programs that interest you. Whether you are interested in engineering, arts, business, or humanities, some institutions excel in particular fields. Research faculty research, internship opportunities, career placement rates, and the connections that a program offers within your field of interest. This level of focus will ensure that your education is tailored to your ambitions and delivers tangible outcomes.

Consider the Total Cost of Education

With rising tuition and living costs, financial considerations are more important than ever. Look at the total cost of education, including tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Beyond that, examine the financial aid options available at each school. Some institutions offer generous merit-based scholarships, while others provide need-based assistance or financial aid tailored to international students. Calculate the return on investment by considering post-graduation employment opportunities, earning potential, and the long-term debt you might incur.

Prioritize Skill Development

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking for candidates with real-world skills. Colleges emphasizing hands-on learning, internships, cooperative education (co-op) programs, and industry partnerships offer significant advantages. These opportunities help you gain the experience and skills necessary for success after graduation. Look for schools that prioritize experiential learning, providing you with tangible experience and networking connections that will boost your career prospects.

Explore Internship and Networking Opportunities

Internships are vital for gaining practical experience in your chosen field, and many schools have strong relationships with employers and industries that facilitate these opportunities. Look for colleges near major metropolitan areas or sectors that align with your career goals, as proximity to these opportunities can significantly increase your chances of securing internships. Additionally, networking with alumni and professionals through college-hosted events can help you build a support network that will be invaluable in your career journey.

Your educational journey is about potential and outcome, not prestige. For years, I have advocated for a holistic approach to college selection that prioritizes three critical elements: best fit, affordability, and post-graduation employability. The current admissions landscape validates this long-held perspective. Today's students are increasingly aligning with this approach, moving beyond the narrow lens of institutional prestige to focus on what truly matters: finding an educational environment that amplifies individual strengths, offers financial sustainability, and provides a clear pathway to professional success. The right school is not about a brand name on a diploma but about the opportunities it creates for your unique journey.