Yale Sees 2nd Highest Early Action Applicant Pool in University’s History

According to an article published in the Yale Daily recently, the New Haven-based university has seen its 2nd largest applicant pool for early action applicants in its 320 years. Aspiring members of the class of 2026 sent 7,313 early action applications to Yale this fall, the second-largest in Yale's history. This year’s pool is smaller than only last year’s when Yale received 7,939 early applications.

While Yale’s admissions office has declined to mention a cause for the record-breaking number of applicants, it’s worth noting that, for this cycle of admissions, the school remained test-optional. Like many Ivy League and highly selective colleges, Yale suspended ACT/SAT requirements in June 2020 due to COVID-19. While this might not be the exact factor for the staggering number of applicants, according to Dean of Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid Jeremiah Quinlan, “The test-optional policy expanded the number of applications the University received from under-resourced students.” Additionally, the school has seen a rising trend of international, underrepresented racial or ethnic groups applying to the Ivy League at a higher rate than in previous years. 

Of the early action applicants for the class of 2025, Yale admitted only 10.5 percent, which fell from 13.8 percent for the class of 2024 and 13.19 percent for the class of 2023.  Students working toward college acceptance to the most elite colleges are facing fierce competition. So what does this mean for your student and what should they be doing now while they anxiously await to hear about their early decision or early action application’s status in December? Ivy Link recently published a blog discussing valuable advice that early action applicants should take immediately, which includes working on applications for other schools for the regular round.

While students continue to work on their college applications, Ivy Link is here to help quell their stress and anxiety. Our College Fast Track package provides individualized admissions advising and application assistance within a condensed time frame. With a track record of 97 percent of our students being admitted to one of their top-3 colleges, Ivy Link can help your students, as well.