Northwestern's Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029
Arkesh P.
Chief Operating Officer
Summary
Northwestern University admitted just over 7% of applicants for the Class of 2029, with Early Decision (ED) acceptance at ~20% and Regular Decision (RD) at ~5.3%. ED applications increased by 15%, while RD acceptance declined by 14.5% compared to last year. Test-optional policies and a growing class size continue to shape applicant trends.
With a pool of over 53,000 applicants, Northwestern admitted about 3,710 students, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of just over 7%. Here's a detailed breakdown and insights to help prospective applicants better understand the evolving admissions landscape.
| Admission Round | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision | ~6,000 | ~1,200 | ~20% |
| Regular Decision | ~47,000 | ~2,510 | ~5.3% |
| Overall | ~53,000 | ~3,710 | 7% |
Key Trends and Insights
- Consistent Acceptance Rate: The overall acceptance rate at Northwestern hovered around 7% over the past 5 years. This also applies to the ED acceptance rate which hovered around 20% over recent years.
- Increase in ED Applicants: While the number of ED applicants increased by around 15%, the number of RD applicants decreased by 6%. Despite this, the RD acceptance rate did not increase, and in fact decreased to around 5.3% this year.
Broader Admissions Trends
- Test-Optional Policies Continue: Unlike most of the Ivy League, Northwestern remains test-optional for the foreseeable future, which contributed to a rise in overall applications throughout the years.
- Growing Class Size: Similar to last year, Northwestern expects an incoming class of 2,100 students again this year, a noticeable increase from previous class sizes. This reflects an estimated yield rate of ~57%.
Northwestern's Regular Decision Acceptance Rate
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | ~47,000 | ~44,818 | +4.9% |
| Applications Accepted | ~2,510 | ~2,801 | -10.4% |
| RD Acceptance Rate | ~5.3% | ~6.2% | -14.5% |
The RD acceptance rate continues to be fiercely competitive, and especially compared to Northwestern's ED acceptance rate.
Despite an increase in applicants, Northwestern admitted less students to Class of 2029 than the previous year, for an RD acceptance rate of just 5.3%.
This year's acceptance rate represents a noticeable decrease of 14.5% in the RD acceptance rate, which was around 6.2% last year.
Northwestern's Early Decision Acceptance Results
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | ~6,000 | 5,200 | +15.4% |
| Applications Accepted | ~1,200 | ~1,000 | +20.0% |
| ED Acceptance Rate | ~20% | ~19% | +5.3% |
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 cohort's size, this year making up about 55% of the admitted cohort.
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Decision applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Northwestern your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Historical Trends
The table below gives prospective applicants a 10-year snapshot of Northwestern's admissions trends.
Northwestern Acceptance Rate Throughout the Years
| Class of | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| 2029 | 7% |
| 2028 | 7.6% |
| 2027 | 7% |
| 2026 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 7% |
| 2024 | 9.3% |
| 2023 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 8.5% |
| 2021 | 9.2% |
| 2020 | 10.7% |
- 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.
Final Thoughts
If you're a prospective student thinking about Northwestern, be sure to check out our full guide on how to get into Northwestern!
Otherwise, congratulations to all students admitted to Northwestern's Class of 2029—your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence. For those considering applying to Northwestern in the future, the admissions landscape is increasingly competitive, making strategic preparation essential.
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