Vanderbilt Acceptance Rate Drops to 4.6% For Class of 2029
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Rice University’s Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029
09/04/2025•14 minute read
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Key Trends
RD Acceptance Rate
ED Acceptance Rate
Historical Trends
How to Stand Out
Rice University has completed the admissions cycle for the Class of 2029 accepting 2,852 students out of 36,777 applicants, resulting in a 7.8% acceptance rate — only a fraction higher than last year's record-low 7.5%. Here's a breakdown of Rice's acceptance results, along with insights to help prospective applicants better understand Rice's evolving admissions landscape.
Class of 2029 Overview
| Admission Round | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | 2,970 | 391 | 13.2% |
| Early Decision II | 2,513 | 151 | 6% |
| Regular Decision | 31,294 | 2,310 | 7.3% |
| Overall | 36,777 | 2,852 | 7.8% |
Key Trends & Insights
- Overall Acceptance Rate: The overall acceptance rate ended a multi-year downward trend, rising slightly to 7.8%, compared to 7.5% last year and 8.6% the year before last.
- Noticeable Increase in Applicants: This year marks a sharp increase in overall applicants, up to 36,777, vs. 32,473 total applicants last year, a 13% increase, including increasing numbers of ED applicants.
- ED Admissions More Prominent: ED admissions results are taking on greater prominence, with the introduction of Rice's first ED II round this year, and a rising number of ED 1 applicants two years in a row, before accounting for the additional tally of ED II applicants added to this year's early round applicant totals.
Broader Admissions Trends:
- Consistently Competitive Admissions Landscape: Rice's overall acceptance rates have remained near or below 9% for the past four years, providing applicants limited opportunities to stand out and gain admission.
- ED/ED I Advantage: Applicants who apply ED to Rice have enjoyed a significant statistical advantage for admissions, with ED acceptance rates roughly double the RD and overall rates for the past several years. The ED II round, however, which Rice introduced for the first time this year, resulted in a lower acceptance rate (6%).
- Fluctuations Influenced by External Factors: Acceptance rates and application totals can vary due to external influences such as policy changes, global events (e.g., COVID-19), or targeted recruitment efforts. Beginning this admissions cycle, for example, Rice introduced its first-ever ED II application round, offering additional flexibility but also making application strategy more complex for prospective students.
Advice From our Crimson Strategists
Rice University's admissions remain highly 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.
Rice's Regular Decision Acceptance Results
Regular Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 31,294 | 29,573 | +5.8% |
| Applications Accepted | 2,310 | 1,997 | +15.6% |
| RD Acceptance Rate | 7.3% | 6.8% | +7.3% |
The RD acceptance rate continues to be significantly lower than the ED I acceptance rate.
Similar to previous years, the RD cycle at Vanderbilt is highly competitive. However, this year, a 15.8% increase in the number of admitted students contributed to a slightly higher RD acceptance rate than last year, despite a 5.8% increase in RD applications.
Rice's RD acceptance results reveal an admissions environment that is consistently competitive, but with signs the 5-year acceptance rate downward trend may be levelling off.
Rice's Early Decision Acceptance Results
Early Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 (ED I Only) | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 2,970 | 2,886 | +2.9% |
| Applications Accepted | 391 | 442 | -11.5% |
| ED Acceptance Rate | 13.2% | 15.3% | -13.7% |
The number of ED 1 applicants climbed compared to the number of ED applicants last year, increasing in number by roughly 3%.
The increased number of applicants contributed to a decline in the ED 1 acceptance rate for the Class of 2029, compared to last year's ED rate, down to 13.2% this year vs. 15.3% last year.
The ED II round — new this year — saw 2,513 applicants, but only 151 admitted, resulting in a ED II acceptance rate of 6%, lower than both the RD rate (7.3%) and the overall acceptance rate (7.8%).
Why Apply Early Decision?
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Decision applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Rice your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Historical Trends
The table below gives prospective applicants a 5-year snapshot of Rice's admissions trends.
Historical Acceptance Rates at Rice University
| Class Year | Total Applications | Total Accepted | Overall Rate | RD Rate | ED Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | 36,777 | 2,852 | 7.8% | 7.3% | 13.2% |
| 2028 | 32,459 | 2,439 | 7.5% | 6.8% | 15.2% |
| 2027 | 31,049 | 2,399 | 7.7% | 7% | 15.3% |
| 2026 | 31,424 | 2,691 | 8.6% | 8% | 19% |
| 2025 | 29,523 | 2,749 | 9.3% | 8.4% | 18% |
These historical data demonstrate Rice University's incremental increases in selectivity over the past five years. This year the overall acceptance rate remains below 8% for the third year in a row, but the downward trend may be levelling off, a sliver of good news for prospective applicants.
How To Stand Out in Rice’s Admissions Process
- Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades in rigorous courses and a high GPA .
- Strong Essays: Present well-crafted essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
- Leadership and Extracurriculars: Strive to demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
- Test Scores: If submitting, aim for high SAT or ACT scores within or above Rice's reported range.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations to all students admitted to Rice's Class of 2029 — your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence. For those considering applying to Rice 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 Rice 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 Contributor
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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