Regular Decision notification dates for the Class of 2030 are released between mid-March and early April 2026. Ivy Day for the Class of 2030 was March 27, 2026, with all eight Ivy League schools releasing simultaneously after 7:00 PM ET. Most top-25 universities and liberal arts colleges release in late March or early April.
Early Decision and Restrictive Early Action notification dates for the Class of 2031 are released by colleges between mid-December 2026 and mid-January 2027. Most ED schools release decisions in the second or third week of December, with Ivy League EA/REA schools releasing on a coordinated mid-December date. ED2 decisions are released in mid-February 2027.
AP Exam scores for the May 2026 testing window are released by the College Board in early-to-mid July 2026, with the rolling release window typically running from July 7 through July 14. Students access scores at scores.collegeboard.org. June makeup testers receive scores in late July or early August.
MIT does not publish a minimum GPA but admits students with unweighted GPAs of 3.95 or higher. The Class of 2029 admit rate was 4.74% (1,338 from 28,232 applicants), and admitted students typically present AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, and distinctive STEM credentials beyond classroom performance.
The University of Pennsylvania does not publish a minimum GPA but admits students with unweighted GPAs of 3.9 or higher, and 95% of admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class. Wharton applicants typically present GPAs at the top end of the admitted range.
Wellesley College's Class of 2029 acceptance rate was 13.70% with 1,192 admits from 8,700 applications. Class of 2030 data pending fall 2026 publication. Wellesley remains test-optional; admitted student SAT mid 50% is 1430-1550. ED rate ~29.82% versus 11.9% RD.
Wake Forest University's Class of 2030 acceptance rate fell to approximately 18% with more than 21,000 applications, a record low. Class of 2029 was 20.37% (4,073 admits). Wake Forest reinstated SAT/ACT requirements; admitted student SAT mid 50% is 1410-1520.
Pomona College admitted 876 students to the Class of 2030 (announced March 19, 2026). Class of 2029 acceptance rate was approximately 7.14%. Pomona is need-blind for international applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans. ED rate ~12.98%.
Amherst College's Class of 2030 acceptance rate was 6.78% with 1,206 admits from 17,784 applications, a record low. 43% of the class was admitted through Early Decision. Amherst is need-blind for international applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans.
Swarthmore College's Class of 2030 acceptance rate was 7.44% with 969 admits from 13,029 applications. Swarthmore is need-blind for international applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need without loans. Test-optional with admitted SAT mid 50% at 1450-1560.
Indian students from Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore applying to top US universities face effective acceptance rates of 1.5% to 3.5% at Ivy League and top-10 institutions, the most competitive international applicant pool. Strategy guide on ISC, CBSE, IB credentials, SAT targets, differentiation in an over-represented pool, and need-blind aid at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth, and Amherst.
Hong Kong students applying to top US universities face effective acceptance rates of 4% to 6% at Ivy League and top-10 institutions. Strategy guide on HKDSE, IB Diploma, and A-Level credential translation, SAT targets, the international school versus local school distinction, and need-blind aid at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth, and Amherst.
Canadian students applying to top US universities face effective acceptance rates of 5% to 7% at Ivy League and top-10 institutions, the most favorable range of any major international pool. Strategy guide on Ontario, Quebec, and BC credentials, SAT targets, McGill and Toronto trade-offs, and need-blind aid at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Dartmouth, and Amherst.
The Common App Additional Information section is for context, not self-promotion. Use it to explain disruptions, document academic context the transcript cannot show, or address legitimate concerns. Most strong applicants either leave it blank or use 200 to 400 words.
Stanford and MIT are the two most cross-applied schools for elite Computer Science applicants. MIT (4.5% acceptance) emphasizes mathematical rigor and theory; Stanford (3.9%) emphasizes interdisciplinary breadth and Silicon Valley integration.
Georgetown (~12%), Northwestern (~7%), and Vanderbilt (~5.5%) are three elite private universities frequently cross-applied by affluent families. Each has distinctive academic strengths: Georgetown for SFS and pre-law, Northwestern for Medill and journalism, Vanderbilt for Blair and pre-med plus generous loan-free financial aid.