Columbia Accepts 4.28% of Applicants to Class of 2029
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Brown Acceptance Rate at 5.65% for Class of 2029
27/03/2025•13 minute read
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Key Trends
RD Acceptance Rate
ED Acceptance Rate
How to Stand Out
With Ivy Day rolling around, Brown has completed its admissions cycle for the Class of 2029. Out of 42,765 applicants, Brown only admitted 2,418 students, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 5.65%. Here's a detailed breakdown and insights to help prospective applicants better understand the evolving admissions landscape.
Class of 2029 Overview
| Admissions Round | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (ED) | 5,048 | 906 | 17.9% |
| Regular Decision (RD) | 37,717 | 1,512 | 4.01% |
| Overall | 42,765 | 2,418 | 5.65% |
Key Trends and Insights
- The Regular Decision acceptance rate increased slightly from 3.92% to 4.01%, reflecting a decrease in applications in the RD admission round.
- The Early Decision acceptance rate increased noticeably from 14.4% to 17.9%. This marks the highest ED acceptance rate since Class of 2023.
Broader Admissions Trends:
- Consistent Overall Acceptance Rate: Despite a major increase in the ED acceptance rate, the overall acceptance rate has remained relatively consistent throughout the years, hovering between 5-7%
- EA Advantage: The gap between the RD and ED acceptance rates has consistently widened over the years. This year marks the largest difference between the two acceptance rates since at least Class of 2023, with a difference of +13.89.
- Shift Back to Testing Requirements: Several Ivies, such as Yale, Brown, Dartmouth and Harvard reinstated testing requirements for the 2024-25 application cycle. This new testing mandate could have potentially led to the decrease in applicants.
Advice from our Crimson Strategists
Brown's admissions remain fiercely competitive, demanding not only exceptional academic performance but also evidence of meaningful engagement and genuine passion. Applicants should focus on standing out authentically rather than merely fitting into a perceived mold.
Brown's Regular Decision Acceptance Results
Regular Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 37,717 | 42,654 | -11.57% |
| Applications Accepted | 1,512 | 1,623 | -6.84% |
| RD Acceptance Rate | 4.01% | 3.92% | +2.30% |
Similar to the acceptance rates of other Ivy Leagues, Brown's acceptance rate continues to be exceptionally competitive. With that said, the RD acceptance rate has increased this year to 4.01%, from last year's 3.92%.
Both the total number of RD applicants and the number of admitted students decreased. However, the number of RD applicants decreased at a higher rate of 11.57%, which resulted in the overall increase in RD acceptance rate.
Despite the slight increase in acceptance rate, Brown continues to be one of the most competitive schools in the US.
Brown Early Decision Acceptance Results
Early Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 5,048 | 6,244 | -19.15% |
| Applications Accepted | 906 | 898 | +0.89% |
| ED Acceptance Rate | 17.9% | 14.4% | +24.31% |
The ED acceptance rate increasing noticeably from last year's 14.4% to this year's 17.9%. This is because the number of admitted students is similar to last year's, while the number of ED applicants to Brown decreased by 19.2%.
This makes it the second year in a row where the total number of ED applicants has gone down, and the lowest total number of applicants since Class of 2024.
Why Apply Early Decision?
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Decision applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Brown your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Historical Trends
Historical Acceptance Rates at Brown
| Class of | Total Applications | Total Accepted | Total Acceptance Rate | RD Acceptance Rate | ED Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | 42,765 | 2,418 | 5.65% | 4.01% | 17.9% |
| 2028 | 48,898 | 2,521 | 5.2% | 3.92% | 14.4% |
| 2027 | 51,302 | 2,609 | 5.1% | 3.9% | 13% |
| 2026 | 50,649 | 2,546 | 5% | 3.6% | 15% |
| 2025 | 46,685 | 2,537 | 5.5% | 4% | 16% |
| 2024 | 36,794 | 2,533 | 6.9% | 5.4% | 17.5% |
| 2023 | 38,674 | 2,551 | 6.6% | 5.2% | 18.2% |
How To Stand Out in Brown's Admissions Process
- Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades and a high GPA.
- Strong Essays: Use your essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
- Leadership and Extracurriculars: Demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
- Test Scores: If submitting, aim for high SAT or ACT scores within or above Brown's reported range.
Final Thoughts
If you're a prospective student thinking about Brown, be sure to check out our full guide on how to get into Brown!
Otherwise, congratulations to all students admitted to Brown's Class of 2029—your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence.
For those considering applying to Brown in the future, the admissions landscape is increasingly competitive, making strategic preparation essential.
Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, offering tailored guidance to build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.
If you're a student or parent interested in Brown or other top universities, speak with one of Crimson Education’s admissions advisors today and start charting your path to success.
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About the Author
Arkesh Patel
Arkesh Patel is the Chief Operating Officer of Crimson Education, the world's largest and most successful university admissions consulting firm. Crimson Education has helped thousands of students gain admission into the Ivy League and top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, MIT, and many others. Arkesh graduated from the University of Cambridge with a B.A in Chemistry (First Class Honors) and received his M.B.A with Distinction from Harvard Business School.
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