The early results are in.
The tension and build-up of the early application season have given way to celebration as early results roll in. For our students who applied early, which was a majority of the Class of 2026, these results are proof that early preparation, strategic planning, and the help of a college counselor can improve admission chances. So far, 95% of our early applicants have already accepted an offer letter. Imagine the relief of knowing that you have guaranteed admission to a top college by December, eliminating months of uncertainty and allowing you to finish the rest of your senior year with less stress.
Why apply early?
Early application has become a key lever that students use when applying. Applying early not only demonstrates commitment to prospective colleges but also substantially increases admission chances. Early applicants typically face less competitive pools and benefit from higher acceptance rates, making early application a strategic advantage in a selective admission process.
The Common App’s numbers tell the story: this cycle saw 962,284 first-year applicants submit 4,716,352 early applications. That’s more students applying early than last year. At many private institutions, 40-60% of the incoming class is filled during early rounds, often with higher acceptance rates than regular decision. Students who wait are competing for fewer seats against a larger pool.
Early application trends at competitive colleges
This year’s application volume remained similar to the last couple of years across most top schools. Schools such as Yale, Brown, and Notre Dame only slightly increased their ED admit numbers. Yale reported an increase of 5.7% after last year’s decrease in early application. Brown and Notre Dame’s ED applications also increased by 7.1% and 6.1%, respectively. However, not all schools saw growth. UPenn experienced a decrease by almost 18% from 9,500 in 2025 to 7,800 this year. At Columbia, applications decreased by 6.4% this year, totaling 5,497. Duke’s ED application pool also decreased by 7.1%.
Admit rates tell an equally nuanced story. Yale’s admit rate saw a slight increase from 10.8% to 10.9%, while Duke experienced the largest jump, rising from 13.0% to 13.8%. Conversely, Brown’s rate fell from 17.9% to 16.5% and Notre Dame’s rate decreased from 12.9% to 11.8%. Columbia and UPenn did not release further information regarding the number of accepted students.
Our students’ success by the numbers
This year’s early admissions cycle revealed interesting trends across top universities. To date, our students secured acceptances to all eight Ivy League institutions, and most Top 25 as well as several public colleges.
| Result | |
| Acceptances to Top 25 | 90 |
| Ivy League | 30 |
| Number of students receiving scholarships | 65 |
Top 25 colleges
Most students who applied early targeted Top 25 institutions, nearly all of which were private colleges with the exception of the University of Michigan, which introduced a binding early decision program this year. Cornell University was the leading Ivy League destination for our students, an indication that they were a strong fit with the institution’s diverse academic programs and collaborative culture.
Public colleges expand early admits
This year saw the expansion of early admissions programs at several public flagship colleges. Schools like Ohio State and UNC-Chapel Hill continued to use early action to secure top in-state and high-stat students early in the cycle. Early admission emphasizes certainty, access, and affordability. Those colleges that introduced new early admissions options this year included:
- University of Michigan: Early Decision
- Oberlin College: Early Action
- Brandeis University: Early Action
- University of Arizona: Early Action
- University of San Diego: Early Action and Early Decision
- University of Southern California (Marshall School of Business): Early Decision
For our applicants targeting public colleges, early action has also provided an advantage, especially for in-state residents looking to secure a spot and qualify for merit-based scholarships. Our students were also admitted in large numbers to some top public colleges and received a large proportion of scholarships at public institutions.
Scholarship success
Our students were also recognized for their academic performance with significant financial support. To date, Empowerly students have received over $2 million in annual scholarship funding with 66 students receiving 98 scholarships. These scholarships represent more than just financial relief for families, though with rising tuition costs and increased financial pressures on families, it’s a welcome support. They are a validation that our students are also being actively sought after by institutions that recognize their potential to make meaningful contributions to their campus community.
These results are proof that expert guidance and strategic planning throughout the admissions process can really make a difference, helping you to get applications in early in a manageable and organized way. If you’re eager to take charge of your college application journey, now is the perfect time to get started!
