By Justin Neiman, Former Ivy League Admissions Officer

Rejected from UPenn Early Decision

Receiving a rejection from your 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!

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Can You Appeal if You Were Rejected?

One of the most common questions we hear is whether it’s possible to appeal a rejection. Unfortunately, UPenn does not allow students to appeal admissions decisions. A rejection is final. However, you can apply again next year if you choose to.

From the UPenn Admissions Office:

“After careful deliberation, all decisions are final, and there is no appeals process.”

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Can You Transfer to UPenn or Reapply Next Year?

Yes, both of these are options, but our advice right now is to focus on Regular Decision applications. You very well may land at your ideal school through the admissions process this spring. Thinking about reapplying next year or transferring should be considered in the future after you have completed the admission cycle this year.

UPenn Admissions Statistics

UPenn has stopped releasing specific admission stats regarding Early Decision acceptances. Last year, over 8,500 students applied to Penn Early Decision, but the university did not reveal the number of acceptances, deferrals, and rejections. For the Class of 2026, Penn accepted 15.6% of Early Decision applicants, which is the last data they have released. Penn’s overall admissions rate for the Class of 2028 was 5.4%. Out of 65,235 applicants, 3,508 students were admitted. So that means that over 96% of students were ultimately rejected.

What to Do Next

As difficult as it may be, my best advice is to let go of your plan to attend UPenn 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.

Focus on Remaining Applications

Although you can’t change your UPenn application, you can refine and strengthen the applications you’re submitting elsewhere. Here are some ways to make the most of this time:

• Review your essays:
  • Is your Common App essay as compelling as it can be?
  • Does it showcase the most important aspects of your candidacy?
  • Are your supplemental essays tailored to each school, using specific and detailed examples?
• Revisit your college list:
  • Is your list balanced, with a range of target, reach, and safety schools?
• Make strategic updates:
  • Can you add anything to your applications to make them more competitive, such as awards, achievements, or stronger writing?

Stay Positive and Focused

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!

Need Help or Advice?

If you have questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you through every step of the process!

About the Author

Justin Neiman served as an undergraduate admissions officer at Harvard University and as an Assistant Dean at Stanford University. With over a decade of experience working at two of the nation’s most competitive universities, Justin brings a unique understanding of the selective admissions process.

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