Ivy Day: A Time-Honored Tradition of Academic Excellence

Happy New Year! 

For all of us at Opus College Prep and our wonderful high school seniors, it’s that amazing moment in the year when college applications are wrapped up, and top universities are busy making their decisions. 

And mark your calendars because Ivy Day is coming in March this year!

What’s Ivy Day All About?

Ivy Day is named after the prestigious Ivy League schools—think UPenn, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, and Yale. These elite universities are known for their rigorous admissions and rich histories. On Ivy Day, all eight schools drop their admissions decisions at the same time, creating a nail-biting moment for students eagerly waiting to see if they made the cut!

Picture this: You’re strolling through a picturesque college campus, the air thick with anticipation and nostalgia. Suddenly, you spot something curious – a small stone plaque nestled among the ivy-covered walls. Welcome to the world of Ivy Day, folks!

Ivy Day is like the Oscars of the academic world, but with more greenery and fewer celebrity meltdowns. It’s an annual shindig where students place an ivy stone on a campus building to celebrate their academic awesomeness28. Think of it as leaving your mark on the college – literally!

This tradition lives in among Northeastern schools—Ivies and Little Ivies. It’s like a secret handshake for some of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in the country.

The Ivy Stone: More Than Just a Pretty Face

Ivy stones are usually about one-by-two feet and made of workable stone. These aren’t your average garden variety rocks. They’re decked out with the graduation year and some snazzy symbols representing the college or the graduating class. It’s like a yearbook, but way more permanent and way less awkward.

A Blast from the Past

Ivy Day first sprouted (pun intended) at Bowdoin College back in 1865. Since then, it’s grown faster than, well, ivy! Princeton jumped on the bandwagon in 1866, and soon other colleges were green with envy and started their own traditions.

More Than Just Stone-Cold Tradition

Ivy Day isn’t just about slapping a rock on a wall. Some schools use it to announce their Phi Beta Kappa members and other academic superstars. It’s also a chance for students to get creative, sometimes featuring engravings of notable alumni or even their classmates. Talk about leaving your mark!

The Grand Finale

Picture this: a procession of soon-to-be graduates, marching proudly to place their stone on the hallowed walls of their alma mater. Speeches are given, memories are shared, and maybe a few tears are shed (we won’t tell). It’s the perfect way to wrap up years of hard work and late-night study sessions.

When’s the Big Day?

Circle the last week of March and first week of April on your calendar! While the exact timing can vary a bit, expect those heart-pounding emails or portal updates to roll out between 5-7 p.m. EST. This tradition has evolved over the years and has become a rite of passage for Ivy hopefuls.

When is Ivy Day?

Ivy Day is the day when most Ivy League schools release their admissions decisions simultaneously. 

Here are some other Ivy Day dates from recent years: 

  • 2025: TBD
  • 2024: Friday, March 28
  • 2023: Thursday, March 30
  • 2022: Thursday, March 31
  • 2021: Tuesday, April 6

Why Does Ivy Day Matter?

For students who applied through Regular Decision, this day is monumental—it’s when they find out if they’re in or not! The excitement is palpable as thousands of students worldwide log in to check their results together. But even if you didn’t apply to an Ivy League school, don’t fret! Many other colleges also release their decisions around this time, so it’s a big day for everyone in the college application game.

Getting Ready for Ivy Day

As the countdown begins, remember to breathe! While it’s natural to feel anxious about your application status, getting accepted or rejected doesn’t define who you are. On the big day, just log into your school portals to check your results. No matter what happens, take a moment to celebrate your hard work with friends and family. Remember, many successful people have faced rejection before finding their path!

What Comes After Ivy Day?

Once Ivy Day wraps up, whether you’re celebrating an acceptance or figuring out your next steps, there’s still plenty to do! If you got into your dream school—awesome! But there’s always more you can do to set yourself up for success in college. And if you’re still in the application process, now’s the time to start prepping! Opus College Prep offers programs designed to help you shine as an applicant long before senior year rolls around.

So get ready for Ivy Day—it’s going to be an unforgettable experience!