Early Planning, Early Results: Our Students’ Early Decision & Early Action Acceptances
Elite Prep’s Early Results at a Glance
151 early offers of admission
42 colleges and universities
20 acceptances to Texas A&M University
18 combined acceptances to University of Michigan–Ann Arbor and UT Austin
18 Ivy League & Ivy-plus institutions represented
Public + Private universities across multiple admissions models
Results reflect Early Decision and Early Action rounds so far.
Each year, families ask whether applying early—through Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA)—can make a meaningful difference in college admissions. This year’s results show that, when done thoughtfully, it can.
In the Early Decision and Early Action rounds, our students received 151 offers of admission across 42 colleges and universities. These acceptances span competitive public flagships, highly selective private research universities, and Ivy League institutions, reflecting both academic readiness and strong alignment between students and schools.
Public University Early Action Highlights
Early Action is especially impactful at large public universities, where many seats are filled before regular decision. This year’s results include:
Texas A&M University — 20
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor — 9
University of Texas at Austin — 9
University of Pittsburgh — 7
Pennsylvania State University — 5
Georgia Tech, Indiana University, Ohio State University, Purdue University, University of Washington — multiple
These outcomes underscore how early preparation, realistic targeting, and timely execution matter at competitive public institutions.
Selective Private & Ivy-Plus Acceptances
Students also earned early offers from universities with demanding academic standards and highly competitive early pools:
Carnegie Mellon University, Emory University, New York University, University of Pennsylvania — 5 each
Cornell University, Northwestern University, Stanford University — 4 each
USC — 7
University of Chicago — 3
Early offers also included Ivy League and Ivy-Plus institutions such as Yale University, Princeton University, Brown University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, and Rice University, along with elite STEM universities like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Johns Hopkins University.
Here’s the complete list of where our students have been admitted through Early Decision and Early Action so far:
What These Results Reflect
Students admitted to highly selective schools shared three characteristics:
Authentic intellectual engagement. They pursued genuine interests with depth rather than padding resumes. The MIT admit had spent two years developing a passion project in their field and could discuss current research with sophistication.
Cohesive narratives. Their activities, essays, and recommendations told consistent stories about clear interests and demonstrated impact.
Program-specific fit. Generic "why us" essays don't work. Students who got into Northwestern could name specific programs and professors aligned with their demonstrated interests. Specificity signals genuine interest—and institutions care about yield.
Key Insights for Prospective Families
Start with authentic interest, not prestige. Students who got into elite universities didn't set out to "get into an elite university." They pursued genuine interests with depth, then found schools where those interests aligned with available resources.
Build strategically. A balanced list means finding 8-12 schools where the student could genuinely thrive, then applying to all with equal enthusiasm. If students can't get excited about their "safety," it doesn't belong on their list.
Invest in depth, not breadth. One deeply developed interest will always outperform ten shallow activities. Our most successful applicants could discuss their primary pursuits with sophistication because they'd spent years exploring them authentically.
Don't underestimate public universities. Elite flagships offer world-class education, and for many students, represent better value and fit than expensive private alternatives.
Looking Ahead
We share these early results as one milestone in a longer admissions journey. Many students are still awaiting regular decision outcomes, and many strong colleges remain ahead. Still, this year’s early acceptances reinforce a consistent message: students who plan early and apply thoughtfully are well-positioned for success.
These 151 acceptances represent students who found genuine fits, prepared strategically, and built balanced lists thoughtfully. The college process isn't about collecting acceptances—it's about finding the right environment for individual growth. That's what these students did, and we couldn't be prouder.
Elite Prep provides comprehensive college consulting and test preparation. Contact us to discuss your student's goals and timeline.