News & Notes: Harvard early applications jump by 15 percent

Harvard received 4,856 applications to its single-choice early action program, a 15 percent increase over the last year, when it first reinstated an early admission option.

Princeton, which followed Harvard’s lead in instituting a single-choice early action program, also saw a significant spike in applicants. This year 3,791 students applied early to Princeton, representing a 10-percent increase over last year’s 3,443 applicants.

University Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye explained to The Daily Princetonian on Nov. 17 that the increase could have resulted from this year’s seniors learning about the early action program earlier in their high school careers.

“When you make announcements about early programs, you have a group that were juniors last year who perhaps had a little more time to think about it,” Rapelye said.

Harvard Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William Fitzsimmons gave a similar explanation to The Harvard Crimson, noting that he was not surprised by the significant increase.

Decisions are scheduled to be released Dec. 15, though that date might be delayed due to the flexible deadline, according to University Spokesperson Martin Mbugua. As of Nov. 17, the University was still accepting applications.