Each year, at the end of March and early April, a group of students across the country and around the world learn that they’ve neither been accepted nor denied after the Regular Decision round to certain Ivy League schools to which they applied. Instead, they’ve been waitlisted. The schools that have placed them in limbo have essentially kicked the can on their admissions decision. So, do waitlisted students to Ivy League schools genuinely have a chance? And what exactly are their chances? Let’s dive in!

Ivy League Previous Years Waitlist Acceptance Rates & Statistics

Brown University

At Brown University, since the Class of 2008, excluding years in which the school did not report sufficient waitlist data, the average waitlist acceptance rate has been 12.95%. In more recent years, since the Class of 2018, Brown has only reported the number of students accepted off its waitlist, which has averaged out to be approximately 120 students a year.

Below is a breakdown of Brown’s waitlist acceptance history:

Brown University Class Year	Number of Students Waitlisted to Brown	Number of Students Who Chose to Join Brown Waitlist	Number of Students Accepted Off Brown Waitlist	Brown Waitlist Acceptance Rate
Brown Class of 2029	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Brown Class of 2028	Not Yet Published	Not Yet Published	Not Yet Published	Not Yet Published
Brown Class of 2027	Not Yet Published	Not Yet Published	Not Yet Published	Not Yet Published
Brown Class of 2026	Not Reported	Not Reported	15	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2025	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2024	Not Reported	Not Reported	194	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2023	Not Reported	Not Reported	127	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2022	Not Reported	Not Reported	100	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2021	Not Reported	Not Reported	86	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2020	Not Reported	Not Reported	82	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2019	Not Reported	Not Reported	192	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2018	Not Reported	Not Reported	57	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2017	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2016	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2015	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Brown Class of 2014	1,550	600	32	5.33%
Brown Class of 2013	1,500	500	82	16.40%
Brown Class of 2012	1,400	450	68	15.11%
Brown Class of 2011	1,400	450	73	16.22%
Brown Class of 2010	1,983	450	35	7.78%
Brown Class of 2009	1,735	987	99	10.03%

Columbia University

Below is a breakdown of Columbia’s waitlist acceptance history — or lack thereof since the school doesn’t release the data:

Columbia University Class Year	Number of Students Waitlisted to Columbia	Number of Students Who Chose to Join Columbia Waitlist	Number of Students Accepted Off Columbia Waitlist	Columbia Waitlist Acceptance Rate
Columbia Class of 2029	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Columbia Class of 2028	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published
Columbia Class of 2027	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published

Cornell University

At Cornell University, over the last 25 years, Cornell admitted an average of 4.24% of waitlisted candidates. That figure stood at 3.86% in the previous five years, though it was 6.27% for the most recent Class of 2028 when 388 students earned admission off the list.

Below is a breakdown of Cornell’s waitlist acceptance history:

Cornell University Class Year	Number of Students Waitlisted to Cornell	Number of Students Who Chose to Join Cornell Waitlist	Number of Students Accepted Off Cornell Waitlist	Cornell Waitlist Acceptance Rate
Cornell Class of 2029	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Cornell Class of 2028	8,103	6190	388	6.27%
Cornell Class of 2027	8,282	6,166	362	5.87%
Cornell Class of 2026	7,729	5,531	260	4.70%
Cornell Class of 2025	7,746	5,800	24	0.41%
Cornell Class of 2024	6,750	4,791	190	3.97%
Cornell Class of 2023	4,948	3,362	147	4.37%
Cornell Class of 2022	6,683	4,546	164	3.61%
Cornell Class of 2021	5,714	3,723	75	2.01%
Cornell Class of 2020	4,571	2,874	61	2.12%
Cornell Class of 2019	3,583	2,231	81	3.63%
Cornell Class of 2018	3,143	2,026	96	4.74%
Cornell Class of 2017	3,144	1,966	168	8.55%
Cornell Class of 2016	3,098	1,941	139	7.16%
Cornell Class of 2015	2,982	1,846	0	0%
Cornell Class of 2014	2,551	1,483	0	0%
Cornell Class of 2013	3,308	1,949	0	0%
Cornell Class of 2012	3,444	2,163	44	2.03%
Cornell Class of 2011	3,213	1,976	279	14.12%
Cornell Class of 2010	2,713	1,746	18	1.03%
Cornell Class of 2009	2,643	1,544	209	13.54%
Cornell Class of 2008	2,411	1,988	171	8.60%
Cornell Class of 2007	1,983	1,682	4	0.24%
Cornell Class of 2006	2,373	1,942	124	6.39%
Cornell Class of 2005	2,131	2,116	55	2.60%
Cornell Class of 2004	2,131	2,116	55	2.60%

Dartmouth College

Over the previous 21 admissions cycles (from 2024 through 2003), Dartmouth’s average waitlist acceptance rate stands at 4.09%

Below is a breakdown of Dartmouth’s waitlist acceptance history:

Dartmouth College Class Year	Number of Students Waitlisted to Dartmouth	Number of Students Who Chose to Join Dartmouth Waitlist	Number of Students Accepted Off Dartmouth Waitlist	Dartmouth Waitlist Acceptance Rate
Dartmouth Class of 2029	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Dartmouth Class of 2028	2,589	2,189	29	1.32%
Dartmouth Class of 2027	2,352	1,606	0	0%
Dartmouth Class of 2026	3,933	2,753	121	4.40%
Dartmouth Class of 2025	2,661	1,945	95	4.88%
Dartmouth Class of 2024	2,151	1,381	0	0%
Dartmouth Class of 2023	1,925	1,292	0	0%
Dartmouth Class of 2022	2,021	1,345	0	0%
Dartmouth Class of 2021	2,064	1,352	16	1.18%
Dartmouth Class of 2020	1,852	963	129	13.40%
Dartmouth Class of 2019	1,855	1,133	0	0%
Dartmouth Class of 2018	1,691	970	87	8.97%
Dartmouth Class of 2017	1,736	814	82	10.07%
Dartmouth Class of 2016	1,983	1,047	91	8.69%
Dartmouth Class of 2015	1,745	1,027	25	2.43%
Dartmouth Class of 2014	1,532	927	81	8.74%
Dartmouth Class of 2013	1,568	883	41	4.64%
Dartmouth Class of 2012	1,381	797	0	0%
Dartmouth Class of 2011	1,166	669	36	5.38%
Dartmouth Class of 2010	1,200	700	16	2.29%
Dartmouth Class of 2009	1,275	790	24	3.04%

Harvard University

Harvard does not release waitlist admissions statistics. Without the number of students who accept a spot on the Harvard waitlist and the number of students admitted off the waitlist each year, any figure you find online that purports to represent the Harvard waitlist acceptance rate is false — because Harvard neither publicizes these figures nor releases them to The Common Data Set like many other schools.

Instead, it’s pure conjecture, conjecture typically based on Harvard’s yield (the percentage of accepted students who matriculate). In an ordinary year, Harvard’s yield exceeds 80%. For the Harvard Class of 2028, the school’s yield stood at slightly over 83%.

If Harvard’s anticipated yield drops, there’s a very good chance the school will turn to its waiting list. On the other hand, if Harvard’s yield is as anticipated or below expectations, there’s a very good chance the school will offer students admission from the waitlist.

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

Penn’s waitlist statistics vary by year, but the school’s waitlist acceptance rate typically ranges between 2-6%. For the Class of 2025, an admissions cycle significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 17% of students who opted-in to Penn’s waitlist earned admission, whereas for the Class of 2023, less than 0.5% of students who opted-in to Penn’s waitlisted secured slots.

Below is a breakdown of Penn’s waitlist acceptance history:

University of Pennsylvania Class Year	Number of Students Waitlisted to UPenn	Number of Students Who Chose to Join UPenn Waitlist	Number of Students Accepted Off UPenn Waitlist	UPenn Waitlist Acceptance Rate
UPenn Class of 2029	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
UPenn Class of 2028	3,010	2,288	40	1.75%
UPenn Class of 2027	3,351	2,508	147	5.86%
UPenn Class of 2026	3,933	2,753	121	4.39%
UPenn Class of 2025	3,205	2,350	391	16.64%
UPenn Class of 2024	2,932	2,051	101	4.92%
UPenn Class of 2023	3,535	2,561	9	0.35%
UPenn Class of 2022	3,458	2,327	58	2.49%
UPenn Class of 2021	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
UPenn Class of 2020	2,474	1,438	90	6.26%
UPenn Class of 2019	2,651	1,600	36	2.25%
UPenn Class of 2018	2,816	1,737	44	2.53%
UPenn Class of 2017	2,017	1,249	87	6.97%
UPenn Class of 2016	2,417	1,385	56	4.04%
UPenn Class of 2015	3,056	1,760	55	3.13%

Princeton University

For the 17 years of available data on Princeton’s waitlist that we’ve compiled, Princeton has turned to its waitlist a little over two-thirds of the time.

Over the twelve years in which Princeton has admitted students off its waitlist during this span, which extends from the Class of 2028 through the Class of 2006, the school has admitted a high of 16.37% of waitlisted candidates (the Class of 2015 when 164 waitlisted candidates got in) and a low of 0.15% of waitlisted candidates (the Class of 2024 when one waitlisted candidate got in).

Including the years in which Princeton did not turn to its waitlist over the last 20 years (not counting years in which data is not publicly available), the Ivy League institution admitted an average of 48 waitlisted candidates.

More recently, over the last five admissions cycles, Princeton has been admitting an average of 54 students off the waiting list — higher than the school’s average over two decades. The Class of 2026 in which 150 students (or 15% of waitlisted candidates) and the Class of 2022 in which 101 students (or 12.23% of waitlisted candidates) earned admission off the waitlist marked particularly strong waitlist showings.

Below is a breakdown of Princeton’s waitlist acceptance history:

Princeton University Class Year	Number of Students Waitlisted to Princeton	Number of Students Who Chose to Join Princeton Waitlist	Number of Students Accepted Off Princeton Waitlist	Princeton Waitlist Acceptance Rate
Princeton Class of 2029	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Princeton Class of 2028	1,734	1,396	40	2.87%
Princeton Class of 2027	1,302	1,032	52	5.04%
Princeton Class of 2026	1,265	1,000	150	15%
Princeton Class of 2025	820	598	26	4.35%
Princeton Class of 2024	902	668	1	0.15%
Princeton Class of 2023	1,125	844	0	0%
Princeton Class of 2022	1,168	826	101	12.23%
Princeton Class of 2021	1,237	840	18	2.14%
Princeton Class of 2020	1,206	857	39	4.55%
Princeton Class of 2019	1,138	818	41	5.01%
Princeton Class of 2018	1,395	906	33	3.64%
Princeton Class of 2017	1,472	988	0	0%
Princeton Class of 2016	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published
Princeton Class of 2015	1,452	1,002	164	16.37%
Princeton Class of 2014	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published
Princeton Class of 2013	1,526	1,061	148	13.95%
Princeton Class of 2012	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published
Princeton Class of 2011	1,216	789	0	0%
Princeton Class of 2010	1,207	794	0	0%
Princeton Class of 2009	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published
Princeton Class of 2008	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published	Not Published
Princeton Class of 2007	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported

Yale University

Yale’s waitlist reporting is, in a word, inconsistent. The school is more forthright in some years than others.

Below is a breakdown of Yale’s waitlist acceptance history:

Yale Class Year	Number of Students Waitlisted to Yale	Number of Students Who Chose to Join Yale Waitlist	Number of Students Accepted Off Yale Waitlist	Yale Waitlist Acceptance Rate
Yale Class of 2029	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
Yale Class of 2028	773	565	23	4.07%
Yale Class of 2027	1,145	899	0	0%
Yale Class of 2026	1,030	774	4	0.50%
Yale Class of 2025	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2024	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2023	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2022	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2021	1,095	606	19	3.14%
Yale Class of 2020	1,098	713	Not Reported	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2019	1,324	837	Not Reported	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2018	Not Reported	998	42	4.43%
Yale Class of 2017	Not Reported	Not Reported	70	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2016	Not Reported	Not Reported	104	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2015	Not Reported	Not Reported	98	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2014	769	Not Reported	7	Not Reported
Yale Class of 2013	1,053	Not Reported	59	Not Reported

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Ivy League Waitlists

If you’re interested in optimizing your chances of admission off an Ivy League waitlist, fill out Ivy Coach’s complimentary consultation form, indicate that you’ve been waitlisted, and we’ll be in touch to outline our go-forward services for waitlisted candidates. Hint, hint: it’s all about submitting a compelling Letter of Continued Interest that will sway admissions officers to root for you! And, no, an ordinary letter won’t do.