Stanford University recently accepted some waitlisted students, giving them a week to decide|@Stanford|X
Several Ivy League institutions are tapping into their admission waitlists at the last moment to fill in empty seats in the academic year amid the Trump administration’s immigration policies, tighter visa rules, and reduced international student arrivals.
- Stanford University recently accepted some waitlisted students, giving them a week to decide. It also announced plans to add 150 undergraduates.
- Duke University added about 50 more students to its incoming class.
- Rice University offered a $2,500 grant to late admits and welcomed its largest class ever, about 1,340 freshmen and transfers.
- Harvard University kept its waitlist open until August 7, which is unusually late. 41 students got in from the waiting list in 2024.
Data from the International Trade Administration shows international student arrivals fell 28% in July from a year earlier, with those from India down 46%.
The decline cuts into tuition revenue, leaving institutions worried about budget gaps.
First-time foreign student enrollment this fall is projected to decline 30%, translating to about $2.6 billion in lost tuition revenue, according to Shorelight.
For many students, late offers have created tough choices and logistical headaches, as several had already committed elsewhere. It also allows them to compare institutions and take up the best offer.