Is it common for Princeton to reject early action applicants?

I'm looking into applying early action for Princeton, but I'm anxious about the possibility of getting rejected outright. Does anyone know how Princeton usually handles early action applications in terms of rejections?

Princeton University tends to defer a significant number of Early Action applicants rather than outright rejecting them. This means that while they don't admit you during the early round, they also don't outright reject you. Instead, they'll reconsider your application in the regular decision pool. In essence, you get a second chance.

However, this doesn't mean Princeton doesn't reject any Early Action applicants. They might indeed outright reject an applicant if they firmly believe the applicant does not fit their requirements, even when considering them in the regular decision pool. The exact numbers or percentages of deferred vs. rejected can vary from year to year, and the university doesn't publicly provide this data.

Ultimately, remember that even if you're deferred or rejected, it doesn't reflect on your worth or potential success in college or beyond. It's largely a factor of the intense competition at a top-tier school like Princeton. You're encouraged to apply to a balanced list of reach, target, and safety schools to ensure you'll have options come spring.