Northwestern's Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029

2024-12-26•8 minute read
Northwestern's Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029

Northwestern admitted the first round of applicants to their Class of 2029 through early action. Early applicants make up about half of the admitted cohort, and Northwestern's early acceptance rate is around 20% this year.

Keep reading to get the latest on Northwestern's admissions data and trends from the COO at Crimson Education Arkesh Patel as the Class of 2029 begins to take shape.


Class of 2029 Acceptance Results Overview

While the overall acceptance rate hasn't been announced yet, Northwestern announced its Early Decision acceptance rate this year. The regular decision acceptance rate would likely be released in March 2025.

  • ED Acceptance Rate: ~20%
  • RD Acceptance Rate: TBA
  • Acceptance Rate: TBA

Northwestern Early Decision Acceptance Results

  • Total Applications: ~6,000
  • Accepted Students: ~1,200
  • Acceptance Rate: ~20%

Northwestern's ED acceptance rate continues to be consistent with previous years at around 20%.

The number of applicants this year has increased to one of the largest in recent years, climbing to around 6,000.

In line with previous years, early applicants will make up about half of the cohorts size, this year making up about 55% of the admitted cohort.

ED Acceptance Rate (Last 3 Years)
Class of ED ApplicantsED AdmittedAcceptance Rate
2029~6,000~1,200~20%
20285,200~1,000~19%
20275,220~1,000~20%

Note: Numbers are estimates based on the Northwestern's released acceptance rates.

Why Apply Early Action?

What To Expect for Regular Action Results

The Regular Decision results for Northwestern's Class of 2029 haven't been announced yet — it's usually released in March 2025.

Getting into Northwestern is not easy. Based on recent trends, we expect another competitive year, with an acceptance rate below 10%. The acceptance rate at Northwestern hasn't exceeded 10% since Class of 2020, 9 years ago.

Regular Decision Figures from Last Year (Class of 2028):

  • Applications Received: ~50,000
  • Students Accepted: ~3,750
  • Acceptance Rate: 7.5%
  • Consistent Acceptance Rate: The acceptance rate at Northwestern hovered around 7% for the past 4 years, only rising to 7.5% last year. This also applies to the ED acceptance rate which hovered around 20% over recent years.
  • Holistic Admissions Approach: Northwestern evaluates applicants beyond academic metrics, considering essays, extracurriculars, leadership roles, and recommendations.
Northwestern Acceptance Rate Throughout the Years
Class ofAcceptance Rate
20287.5%
20277%
20267.2%
20257%
20249.3%
20239.1%
20228.5%
20219.2%
202010.7%

How To Stand Out in Northwestern 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 Northwestern's reported range.

What’s Next for Applicants?

For those admitted early, congratulations on joining Northwestern's prestigious Class of 2029! Regular Decision applicants should continue preparing strong supplemental materials and essays to maximize their chances.

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