Dec 6, 2025
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By Justin Neiman, Former Ivy League Admissions Officer
Receiving a rejection from your Early Action or Early Decision school can be incredibly discouraging. If you find yourself in this situation, know that you’re not alone, and this post is here to guide you forward!
If you applied Restrictive Early Action to Yale this fall, there are three possible outcomes:
One of the most common questions we hear is whether it’s possible to appeal a rejection. Unfortunately, Yale does not allow students to appeal admissions decisions. A rejection is final. However, you can apply again next year if you choose to.
For the Class of 2029, Yale processed 6,729 Early Action applications and accepted 728, making the Early Action admit rate 10.8%. Among the remaining applicants, 17% were deferred to Regular Decision and 71% were denied.
As difficult as it may be, my best advice is to let go of your plan to attend Yale this year. While it may have been your dream school, there are countless other excellent colleges out there, and the admissions process is far from over. Now is the time to shift your focus entirely to Regular Decision or Early Decision II applications.
Most top schools have Regular Decision deadlines at the start of January, giving you time to make any necessary adjustments to your applications.
Although you can’t change your Yale application, you can refine and strengthen the applications you’re submitting elsewhere. Here are some ways to make the most of this time:
Setbacks like this are hard, but they’re also an opportunity for growth. Stay proactive, keep excelling academically, and use this moment to refine your strategy. Remember, many successful students use challenges as motivation for future success.
While it may have been ideal to secure admission to your dream school before the holidays, the reality is that most students will move through the Regular Decision process. There is still so much to accomplish—so stay focused and give it your all!
If you’d like support feel free to reach out.
This article was updated in December 2025 for the 2025-2026 Admissions Cycle.
Receiving a rejection from your Early Action or Early Decision school can be incredibly discouraging. If you find yourself in this situation, know that you’re not alone, and this post is here to guide you forward!
If you applied Restrictive Early Action to Yale this fall, there are three possible outcomes:
One of the most common questions we hear is whether it’s possible to appeal a rejection. Unfortunately, Yale does not allow students to appeal admissions decisions. A rejection is final. However, you can apply again next year if you choose to.
For the Class of 2029, Yale processed 6,729 Early Action applications and accepted 728, making the Early Action admit rate 10.8%. Among the remaining applicants, 17% were deferred to Regular Decision and 71% were denied.
As difficult as it may be, my best advice is to let go of your plan to attend Yale this year. While it may have been your dream school, there are countless other excellent colleges out there, and the admissions process is far from over. Now is the time to shift your focus entirely to Regular Decision or Early Decision II applications.
Most top schools have Regular Decision deadlines at the start of January, giving you time to make any necessary adjustments to your applications.
Although you can’t change your Yale application, you can refine and strengthen the applications you’re submitting elsewhere. Here are some ways to make the most of this time:
Setbacks like this are hard, but they’re also an opportunity for growth. Stay proactive, keep excelling academically, and use this moment to refine your strategy. Remember, many successful students use challenges as motivation for future success.
While it may have been ideal to secure admission to your dream school before the holidays, the reality is that most students will move through the Regular Decision process. There is still so much to accomplish—so stay focused and give it your all!
If you’d like support feel free to reach out.
This article was updated in December 2025 for the 2025-2026 Admissions Cycle.
Former Admissions Officer, Harvard University
Former Assistant Dean, Stanford University
As a College Counselor I help students navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to help students stand out and get accepted to their top-choice schools.
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