Ivy Day 2026 acceptance rates: What Indian students must know about deadlines, visas and fees

Ivy Day 2026 acceptance rates released March 26 show record selectivity. Indian students have 31 days to meet the May 1 deposit, but F-1 STEM administrative processing for India averages 60–90 days — act sooner.

Edited by : Priya Kapoor

Updated : April 1, 2026 3:35 AM

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    Ivy Day 2026 acceptance rates

    Ivy Day occurred on March 26, 2026 and universities published their Regular Decision results. The phrase "Ivy Day 2026 acceptance rates" now matters for every Indian student balancing deposits, I-20s and visa timing.

    Ivy Day 2026 acceptance rates: the top-line numbers

    Record application volumes pushed acceptance rates lower at several top schools. Below are the confirmed figures released by the universities and admissions offices.

    University Applicants Admitted Acceptance rate
    Harvard 54,008 ~ 1,944 3.6%
    Columbia 61,031 2,581 4.23%
    Yale 54,919 2,328 4.24%
    MIT 28,349 1,299 4.6%
    Brown 47,937 1,674 5.35%
    Cornell 5,776 admitted

    Penn, Princeton and Dartmouth published partial data or withheld full rates; Penn reinstated standardised testing this cycle. Columbia reported a 6.4% drop in Early Decision applications. Universities attribute tighter rates to record application pools.

    What Indian students must do after Ivy Day 2026 acceptance rates release

    You now have 31 days until the May 1 enrollment deposit deadline. For Indian students, timing is tighter because F‑1 STEM administrative processing (AP) for India averages 60–90 days after the visa interview.

    Treat April 1 as your personal May 1 if you are heading to a STEM programme. Accept your offer, request your I-20 and start DS-160 immediately.

    Visa and paperwork checklist

    • Request your I-20 as soon as you accept. Processing can take days to weeks.
    • Pay the SEVIS fee: USD 350 before your interview.
    • Complete the DS-160 online and book a visa slot—slots fill fast in peak season.

    Money and deposits

    Enrollment deposits typically run USD 500–1,000 . International undergraduate all-in fees generally fall between USD 60,000–80,000 per year ; estimate USD 70,000–85,000 for first-year funds for visa purposes.

    If administrative processing is triggered, visas can be delayed beyond August, so notify your university's international office immediately to discuss deferral or remote-start options.

    Key dates and figures

    • Ivy Day announcement: March 26, 2026
    • Enrollment deposit deadline: May 1, 2026
    • Recommended personal deadline for Indians: April 1, 2026
    • F-1 STEM AP typical delay: 60–90 days

    FAQs

    Q: When was Ivy Day 2026?
    A: March 26, 2026 .

    Q: How many days do Indian students have before the official deposit deadline?
    A: 31 days until May 1, 2026 .

    Q: How long do F‑1 STEM administrative processing holds typically last for Indian applicants?
    A: 60–90 days on average.

    Q: How much is the SEVIS fee?
    A: USD 350 .

    Q: What is the typical enrollment deposit?
    A: USD 500–1,000 .

    Q: Are the recent financial aid expansions covering international students?
    A: No. The expansions exclude international students.

    Q: Which schools reported notable acceptance rates?
    A: Harvard 3.6% , Columbia 4.23% , Yale 4.24% , MIT 4.6% , Brown 5.35% .

    Q: What should you do first after accepting an offer?
    A: Request your I-20, start DS-160, and check visa appointment availability immediately.

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