When Do Columbia Decisions Come Out? Class of 2031 Notification Dates

Columbia decisions come out twice a year, once for each application route. Early Decision (ED) applicants find out in mid-December, and Regular Decision (RD) results land in late March on Ivy Day, when all eight Ivy League schools post their outcomes at once. Waitlisted and transfer applicants hear back later, on timelines that extend well into the summer.

Knowing when Columbia releases decisions and what each outcome means gives you a clearer picture of what to expect and what to do once you hear back. This guide breaks down every Columbia decision date for the 2026–2027 admissions cycle, walks through the possible outcomes in each round, and lays out your next steps for each one.

• When Does Columbia Release Decisions?
• When Do Columbia Waitlist Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Columbia Transfer Decisions Come Out?
• What to Do After Receiving Your Columbia Decision
• Waiting on Columbia’s Decision? Get Expert Guidance
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

When Does Columbia Release Decisions?

Columbia releases first-year admissions decisions on two separate dates each cycle:

Source: Columbia Undergraduate Admissions Office

In the most recent cycle, Columbia posted ED results for the Class of 2030 on December 18, 2025, and RD results on March 26, 2026. The specific dates shift slightly from year to year, but mid-December and the last week of March have stayed consistent.

Columbia publishes all decisions to the Applicant Portal in the evening, typically after 7:00 PM Eastern Time.

When do Columbia Early Decision results come out?

Columbia’s ED results come out in mid-December, usually between December 15 and 18.

The ED application deadline is November 1, 2026. Once your decision is ready, Columbia sends an email directing you to the Applicant Portal, where you log in to view your result. Admitted ED students must respond by mid-January.

Because ED is a binding agreement, getting admitted means you are committing to enroll. You must withdraw every other application you have pending. Columbia does provide an estimated financial aid package alongside the ED decision, so you will know what your costs look like before you finalize. If the aid package falls short of what your family can afford, you can request a release from the binding agreement.

Three outcomes are possible in the early round:

• An admit locks in your spot. You enroll at Columbia and pull all other applications.
• A defer moves your file into the RD pool. You will receive a final answer in late March alongside all regular applicants.
• A deny ends your application for the cycle.

When do Columbia Regular Decision results come out?

Columbia’s RD results come out in late March, historically on or near Ivy Day.

The RD application deadline is January 1, 2027, and decisions are posted to the Applicant Portal the same way as ED. Admitted students have until May 1, 2027 to respond.

Three outcomes are possible in the regular round:

• An admit gives you until May 1 to weigh your options, compare financial aid offers, and decide where to enroll.
• A waitlist keeps you in consideration if admitted students decline their spots. You will not hear anything further until May at the earliest.
• A deny closes your application for the cycle.

Haven’t applied yet? See every Columbia application deadline

Before thinking about when Columbia decisions come out, you need to make sure you hit the deadline. Our full guide to Columbia application deadlines covers every date for ED, RD, transfer, and financial aid.

When Do Columbia Waitlist Decisions Come Out?

Columbia does not release waitlist decisions on a single date. Offers go out on a rolling basis, typically from early May through late July. The admissions office tracks how many admitted students accept their spots and extends waitlist offers in waves as openings appear.

There is no set order to the process. Columbia fills gaps based on what the incoming class needs at that point, which can include academic interests, geographic balance, or other institutional priorities. If you receive a waitlist offer, expect a short turnaround window to respond.

When Do Columbia Transfer Decisions Come Out?

Columbia transfer decisions come out by June 1, 2027. The transfer application deadline is March 1, 2027, and the admissions office reviews all applications after that date before releasing results in a single batch.

Transfer admission at Columbia is for the fall semester only. There is no spring entry option and no way to defer your start date. Admitted transfer students need to confirm their enrollment soon after the decision arrives.

What to Do After Receiving Your Columbia Decision

Each outcome calls for a different response. Here is what to do depending on what you see when you open the Applicant Portal:

ED admits are bound by their agreement. Once you confirm, there is no going back unless your financial aid package makes attendance genuinely unaffordable. If that is the case, contact the financial aid office to discuss your options before walking away.

Waitlisted students who later receive an offer from Columbia can accept it and withdraw from the school where they already deposited. You will lose that deposit, which is almost always non-refundable. Because waitlist movement is unpredictable, your safest move is to commit fully to your backup school while you wait.

If Columbia denies your application and you still want to attend, you can reapply as a transfer student after finishing at least one full year at another college.

Waiting on Columbia’s Decision? Get Expert Guidance

The stretch between submitting your application and opening the Applicant Portal is longer than it sounds. For students still working on their materials, that time is better spent refining what you can control than refreshing your email.

AdmissionSight’s Standard College Counseling program connects you with an advisor who helps you build and polish every piece of your application, from your Columbia supplement essays to your activity list and school list strategy.

If you have already submitted and were deferred or waitlisted, our Ad Hoc Consulting option gives you targeted, single-session help. That might mean drafting a letter of continued interest, putting together a meaningful update for the admissions office, or rethinking your plan for the rest of the cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What time of day do Columbia decisions come out?

Columbia posts decisions to the Applicant Portal in the evening, typically after 7:00 PM Eastern Time. You will get an email letting you know your result is available, but you need to log in to the portal to see the actual decision.

2. When does Columbia release Early Decision results?

ED results go out in mid-December, usually between December 15 and 18. Columbia released ED decisions for the Class of 2030 on December 18, 2025. The exact date moves slightly each year, but mid-December has been the consistent window.

3. When does Columbia release Regular Decision results?

RD results go out in late March, typically on Ivy Day. Columbia released RD decisions for the Class of 2030 on March 26, 2026. All eight Ivy League schools tend to post results on the same day, usually around 7:00 PM ET.

4. Can I appeal if Columbia rejects my application?

Columbia does not have a formal appeals process for undergraduate admissions. A denial is final for that cycle. If you still want to attend Columbia after being denied, your options are to reapply as a first-year applicant the following year or to apply as a transfer student after completing at least one year at another institution.

5. How does Columbia notify applicants of their decision?

Columbia sends an email on the release date telling you that your decision is ready. The decision itself lives on the Applicant Portal. Make sure you have your login credentials set up and tested before the release date so a password issue does not hold you up.

Takeaways

• Columbia releases ED decisions in mid-December and RD results in late March on Ivy Day. Both are posted to the Applicant Portal after 7:00 PM ET.
• ED applicants receive one of three outcomes: admit, defer, or deny. An ED admit is binding, which means you enroll and withdraw all other applications. RD applicants receive an admit, waitlist, or deny.
• Waitlist offers roll out from early May through late July based on how many admitted students accept their spots.
• Transfer decisions arrive by late May or June. Columbia admits transfer students for fall enrollment only, with no deferral option.
• Whether you are still preparing your Columbia application or responding to a deferral or waitlist, working with a college admissions expert can help you put your strongest case forward.