Ivy Day: Everything You Need to Know

Once you’ve applied to university, you’ll naturally be anxious to find out whether you’ll receive an offer and when. Most universities release these decisions on different dates, and even at different times of the year, but the eight Ivy League universities co-ordinate this significant event.

What this means for you as an applicant and what the day will look like when it comes will be covered in this straightforward guide. We’ll take you through what Ivy Day is, why it matters, what to do on the day, and what your next steps should be according to the decision you receive. We’ll also show you how best to prepare, so there are no surprises when it does come around!

A Brief Overview of Ivy Day

Regular admissions decisions for the eight Ivy League universities are ordinarily released at the same time on the same day every year, and some other U.S. colleges try to coincide with this date too. While it may seem like a daunting prospect, this can be helpful for planning, particularly as it means you could have most if not all the information you need at the same time to choose your next steps.

Yet, even though it’s important, remember that your whole future is not dependent on this singular day, despite how momentous and emotionally charged the event may seem. We do, of course, hope everything will go to plan, but there are always alternative options if they don’t!

Its Importance for Your Applications

If you’ve applied through the Regular Decision route to one or more Ivy League universities, you should mark this day in your diary as your results will almost certainly arrive at the same time. It’s obviously an important day for the outcome it brings, but it’s also a milestone in terms of helping you decide what to do next. This is why it’s vital to do your research into different options depending on the possible outcomes ahead of the day, so you don’t make any rash choices or panic in the heat of the moment.

In this guide you’ll find an overview of Ivy Day and its significance, the relevant dates of Ivy Day present and past, the decision process, guidance on next steps after the results are released, further tips and how Dukes Plus can support you.

What Is Ivy Day?

Ivy Day, or sometimes ‘Ivy Admissions Day’, is when Ivy League universities release their admissions decisions to those who’ve applied via the Regular Decision route to undergraduate degree courses. The day usually falls in late March, and, rather helpfully, all eight universities typically release their decisions at the same time on that day. Other U.S. universities also release their results in March and April, some coinciding with Ivy Day itself, but you should always check the relevant dates with your chosen institutions.

Ivy Day is only relevant for those who’ve applied via the Regular Decision route, not Early Decision or Early Action, which usually have decision release dates in November or December. The difference between the Regular Decision route and Early Decision is that by applying via Early Decision you are agreeing to bind yourself to accepting the offer of a place at that university and must withdraw your applications to any others, and the application and the outcome occur earlier than with Regular Decision. Early Action applications and outcomes are usually around the same time as Early Decision ones (and therefore also earlier than those of Regular Decision), but the difference here is that you won’t be bound to the institution you apply to.

Things move fast in the U.S., so applying via the Regular Decision route deadlines in January or February will see you receiving the outcome of your applications on Ivy Day by late March or early April. Thankfully, given the quick turnaround, you’re not kept waiting anxiously for too long!

When Is Ivy Day 2025?

The date of Ivy Day in 2025 is March 26^th, and results will be released at 7:00 PM (EST). You’ll find below a list of previous Ivy Day dates for comparison.

Due to the different staggered admissions cycles of Ivy League universities, a commonly agreed date in late March or early April works well for the respective colleges and allows the student a good amount of time to decide what to do next.

What to Do After Ivy Day

If You’re Accepted:

Congratulations! You’re in! Before doing anything else, you should take a moment to feel proud of yourself and to enjoy the sense of relief that comes with knowing you’ve been accepted into a highly competitive institution to study something you love. It’s also important to be sure that this offer is the one you want to accept among any others you may have received, so don’t be too hasty about it.
Once it’s all sunk in, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about what you now need to make the dream work on a practical level. You’ve come this far, so this is no time to stop. First and foremost, it’s important to consider any financial aid packages that are available and their relevant application deadlines. These can come in all sort of forms, from institutional to governmental, so talk through these with your family to see which you’re eligible for.

Once you’re sure of where you’d like to attend, you might find it useful to seek out other students on social media or through the university who are heading to the same place.

If You’re Waitlisted:

If you’re not immediately accepted but placed on the waitlist, then don’t panic. You may still be offered a place. It’s important, though, to write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to the university’s admissions office if you are still intent on attending that college, as this shows your willingness and determination to go there.

The LOCI should get a few things right, namely:

• It should, where possible, be written to the person who most likely received your application, which is often the regional admissions representative.
• It should be formal and not self-indulgent, saccharine, or emotional. It should set out your continued enthusiasm and desire to be part of that university and relate how you’d contribute to it and what you’d derive from it.
• It shouldn’t be overly long – approximately 650 words on average.

Steps to improve your chances of being accepted off the waitlist

• It may seem obvious, but first, make sure you accept your place on the waitlist!
• Send a LOCI to your admissions office setting out your continued interest in attending, but don’t be pushy or arrogant.
• Follow the LOCI up with a phone call.
• Have a backup choice as ‘insurance’.

If You’re Rejected:

If your application is turned down, you should still be so proud of coming this far and know that it’s such a competitive process that it’s in no way a poor reflection on you. So many factors go into admitting one student over another, and these change annually, so this year perhaps just wasn’t your year. It’s important not to wallow over the outcome, but instead to think of the future and your next steps.
Hopefully this outcome hasn’t put your off wanting to attend a university, so the most natural next step is to accept your second choice and to consider the practicalities of that, including any formal acceptance you need to communicate, financial packages, relocation plans, and accommodation.

Considering gap years, transfer applications, or other elite universities

If your heart really was set on your first choice university, then you may want to consider the Transfer Admissions Process, which involves attending one of your other chosen universities that offered you a place for the first semester and then submitting an application to transfer in the following autumn to your first choice, or even a third entirely different university as there are plenty of elite ones out there that aren’t necessarily Ivy League. This process has its own deadlines and application procedures, so make sure you know these!

Another option you might want to consider is a gap year, where you may work, travel, or engage in some activities that could be helpful to a future application, and then reapply for admission in the following year. Remember, of course, it’s still not guaranteed that you’ll be admitted the following year, so be confident you’d be happy to take a year out whatever the outcome is.

Final Tips for Handling Ivy Day Decisions

Importance of planning ahead of the day

Make sure you have your plans, including contingency plans, ready ahead of time, and that you know which websites to access and when. Remember that, since the Ivy League universities release their results all at the same time, you may find the relevant websites are slow to load or even crash. Don’t panic. Take some time out and return to them in a short while, as hard as that might be.

How to manage stress and emotions on Ivy Day

Everyone (really everyone) will be anxious on the lead-up to, and on, Ivy Day itself, so you’re not alone. Although it’ll be difficult, try not to become overly stressed as the outcome is whatever the outcome is, and you’ve done all the hard work to get here. You should try to get a good sleep the night before, as it may be a long day or two that follow, and you’ll need to think clearly about your available options and courses of action to take.

Tips for planning your next steps strategically

Before Ivy Day itself, it’s worthwhile knowing what you plan to do in light of all the possible outcomes. Draft your different plans and their steps strategically, including having necessary websites and contact details for relevant people at the universities to hand, and know what to do as soon as the decisions become available. That way you won’t panic and be flustered on an already very emotionally charged day.

How Can Dukes Plus help?

If you plan to apply to an Ivy League university next year, or are thinking about reapplying if you aren’t accepted first time around, we’re here to help! By booking our Ivy League consultation, you’ll be in good company as every year our students receive offers from all eight Ivy League schools. We’re experts in everything from SAT and ACT preparation and personal statements, to essays and mentoring, so are best placed to advice you on your Ivy League journey.

If you’re not sure where to begin, why not book a free consultation and we can discuss your ambitions and plans to set you on your way?