A High School Student's Guide to Ivy Day: What It Is, How to Prepare, and What To Do Next
Every spring, thousands of high school seniors across the world experience one of the most anticipated and nerve-wracking moments of the college admissions cycle: Ivy Day. Whether you’re applying to one Ivy League school or all eight, understanding Ivy Day, application deadlines, and the steps you should take to prepare can make the process feel far more manageable (and far less stressful).
This comprehensive guide breaks everything down into clear sections, including what Ivy Day is and when it occurs, essential deadlines for all Ivy League universities, and practical tips for high school students to stay confident, organized, and ready.
What is “Ivy Day”?
“Ivy Day” is the unofficial name for the day when all eight Ivy League universities release their Regular Decision results. Although the Ivy League is known for being an athletic conference, its member institutions—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania—have collectively adopted a tradition of releasing their final admissions decisions around the same time.
On Ivy Day, decisions typically drop between 5 and 7 p.m. ET, though the exact release time may vary slightly from school to school. The moment portals open, students eagerly refresh their screens to find out whether they’ve been admitted, waitlisted, or denied.
While Ivy Day can be intense, it’s also a milestone. It marks the end of months or years of preparation, reflection, and hard work. Even though the day brings excitement, anxiety, and everything in between, understanding what to expect can make the experience much easier to navigate.
When Is Ivy Day 2026?
Although Ivy League schools don’t announce a single shared “Ivy Day” date, Regular Decision results traditionally come out during the last week of March. This has been the pattern for more than a decade, with releases typically landing between March 25 and April 1.
For the 2026 admissions cycle, the best expectation is that Ivy Day will fall in the final week of March 2026, likely in the early evening. Students should plan to monitor announcements from each school beginning around March 25 and remain prepared for results to roll out at any time from then until April 1.
Ivy League Application Deadlines for the 2025–2026 Cycle
To help you stay organized, here’s a clear breakdown of Early and Regular Decision deadlines for each Ivy League school. Although these dates rarely change from year to year, always double-check the admissions website for each institution as you prepare your application.
Brown University
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 5
Decision Release: ED in mid-December; RD in late March
Columbia University
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Decision Release: ED in mid-December; RD in late-March or early- to mid-April
Cornell University
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 2
Decision Release: ED in mid-December; RD in late March or early April
Dartmouth College
Early Decision: November 1
Regular Decision: January 1 or January 2
Decision Release: ED in mid-December; RD in late March or early April
Harvard University
Restrictive Early Action (non-binding): November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Decision Release: EA in mid-December; RD by the end of March
University of Pennsylvania
Early Decision (binding): November 1
Regular Decision: January 5
Decision Release: ED in mid-December; RD in March
Princeton University
Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA): November 1
Regular Decision: January 1
Decision Release: EA in mid-December; RD in late March
Yale University
Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA): November 1
Regular Decision: January 2
Decision Release: EA in mid-December; RD by April 1
As you plan your application timeline, keep in mind that several Ivies use Single-Choice Early Action, which restricts where else you can apply early, while others use Early Decision, which is binding. Understanding each school’s early application rules is essential before you commit.
How to Prepare for Ivy Applications: A Step-By-Step Guide
Applying to the Ivy League is no small undertaking. The admissions process is holistic, highly selective, and built around thoughtful self-presentation. So, here are some concrete, actionable strategies high school students can follow to position themselves for success long before Ivy Day arrives.
Build Your Application Timeline Early
Your first step is to create a clear timeline for everything you need to complete. Mark the following on your calendar:
Early Decision/Action deadlines: November 1-15
Regular Decision deadlines: January 1–5
Recommendation request deadlines
Transcript and school-report submission requirements
Financial aid deadlines (CSS Profile + FAFSA)
Give yourself additional buffer time by aiming to finish your applications one to two weeks before each deadline. Delays often occur on the school side (counselor documents, teacher recommendations, etc.), so providing everyone with adequate time is key.
Start and Finish Your Essays Early
For most Ivy League schools, the Common App Personal Statement is only the beginning. Each Ivy also requires supplemental essays that are often more profound, introspective, and specific than the main essay.
Strong essays usually take multiple drafts over several months. Here’s a suggested timeline:
August to September: Brainstorm, outline, and draft your personal statement.
September to October: Draft school supplements.
Late October: Finalize essays for Early Decision/Early Action schools.
December: Finalize Regular Decision supplements.
If you’re behind on this timeline, don’t panic. You still have time to catch up. Also, be sure to ask at least two people to review your essays, preferably one teacher and one adult who knows your writing style. Avoid over-editing; your authentic voice matters.
Choose the Right Recommenders
Ivy League schools value in-depth, personalized recommendation letters that describe your intellectual curiosity, classroom impact, and leadership skills, as well as your personal character and ability to handle rigorous academic environments.
Ask teachers who know you well and can speak about more than just your grades. Provide each recommender with:
A resume or activities list
Your academic interests
A brief note about why you value their class
Any specific accomplishments you’d like them to highlight
Plan Your Testing Strategy Wisely
Although most Ivy League schools currently operate with test-optional policies, submitting strong SAT or ACT scores can still strengthen your application. If you plan to submit scores:
Take your final SAT/ACT no later than November or December
Use official score-sending options to ensure results arrive on time
Consider superscoring policies if applicable
If you choose not to submit scores, make sure your transcripts, course rigor, and extracurricular achievements clearly showcase your strengths.
Strengthen Your Extracurricular and Leadership Profile
Ivy League admissions officers emphasize impact, leadership, and depth, not the number of activities. Instead of trying to do everything, focus on pursuing a few sustained, meaningful commitments. You can take on leadership roles by starting a club or organizing a fundraiser. You could participate in advanced research, academic competitions, or summer programs. You could even demonstrate initiative by launching a new business or crafting a signature project.
Quality, not quantity, is what makes an application stand out.
Prepare Financial Aid Materials Early
Almost all Ivy League schools offer need-based aid only, and many meet 100% of demonstrated need. The financial aid process usually requires a CSS Profile, FAFSA, and parent and student tax forms, as well as any additional documentation, depending on your situation.
Submit these materials well before the stated deadline, especially if you are applying Early Decision or Early Action.
What to Expect on Ivy Day
Ivy Day can feel overwhelming even when you know it’s coming. Here’s what students should expect and how to prepare emotionally and practically.
Prepare for Heavy Portal Traffic
Admissions portals are often flooded with students trying to log in simultaneously. You may experience slow loading, temporary errors, delayed emails, or crash recovery screens. Don’t panic. This is normal. Keep your login information accessible and try refreshing calmly rather than repeatedly clicking.
Create a Support System for the Evening
Call on friends, family, a teacher, or a mentor to be with you so you don’t have to go through Ivy Day alone. Choose someone who can support you through whatever news you receive. If you’d rather be alone, that’s okay too. Just make sure you have someone you can talk to afterward.
Prepare for Mixed Results
Even the most exceptional students receive a mix of acceptances, waitlists, and denials. This is normal for Ivy League admissions, where acceptance rates range from 3 percent to 8 percent at most campuses. Your results do not define your worth or your future.
If You’re Admitted
Congratulations! Celebrate your achievement, but also take the following steps soon after:
Review your financial aid package carefully
Compare offers if you were admitted to more than one school
Attend admitted-student events if possible
Make your final decision by May 1 (unless admitted ED)
If you were admitted through Early Decision at a binding school, you must withdraw all other applications.
If You’re Waitlisted
Being waitlisted means the admissions committee sees you as a strong candidate, but space is limited. To remain competitive:
Accept or decline the waitlist spot promptly
Send a brief, thoughtful update letter if the school allows it
Submit new grades, awards, or accomplishments
Commit to another school by May 1, since waitlist offers often come later
If You’re Denied
Take a deep breath. Many students with outstanding academic and extracurricular profiles are denied admission to Ivy League universities. A denial does not diminish your abilities or your potential. Focus on choosing a college that supports your goals and offers opportunities to grow.
After Ivy Day: What Comes Next?
Once decisions are released, your attention should shift toward evaluating your options, sending final transcripts, and planning for your freshman year.
Consider academic programs, campus culture, financial aid, and internship or research opportunities. Remember that your success comes from what you do during college, not just where you attend, so stay active. Also, all students must ensure their high school sends an official final transcript to the institution they plan to attend. Detailed tasks like that matter greatly. Lastly, think ahead about housing, orientation, and what you hope to achieve academically and personally during your first year of college.
Ivy Day may feel like the finish line, but it’s really just one milestone in your academic journey. Whether you’re admitted, waitlisted, or denied, your college experience will be shaped by your initiative, curiosity, and effort. Not by a single evening in March.
If you’re a high school student preparing to apply to the Ivy League, remember: organization, self-reflection, and authenticity will take you farther than any checklist ever could. Start early, stay focused, get help when you need it, and trust that your hard work will guide you to the right next step.