Here's how many students applied early this year to get into the Ivy League

The Ivy League classes of 2020 are one step closer to getting into the school, or schools, of their dreams.

Almost every Ivy League school reported the number of students who have applied early this year, giving a glimpse into the college choices of tens of thousands of students.

Early applications come with some stipulations. Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, and University of Pennsylvania are all early decision schools, which means students must go there if they get accepted.

Harvard University, Princeton University, and Yale University are early action schools, meaning they have until May to decide if they want to accept. Students can only apply to one school early action or early decision.

Princeton University saw the biggest increase in application numbers so far. It received 4,164 applications for its freshman class, an increase of 9.4% over last year. That large bump may be due to Princeton's decision this year not to require SAT II scores as part of its application.

UPenn had 5,629 students apply, its highest number ever and a 4.4% increase.

Columbia University also had a 4.4% increase, with 3,520 early decision applications.

Dartmouth College saw an increase of 2% for the Class of 2020. It did not report an exact number of applicants, but our calculations show about 1,896 students applied this fall.

Harvard's early applications jumped 4.3% this year to 6,173. Brown University saw a jump of less than 1% with 669 applications.

Yale University saw a slight dip in applications this year. It received 4,662 early applications for the class of 2020, a .6% decrease from the 4,693 early applications received last year.

A spokesperson for Cornell University did not have this year's numbers readily available. Last year, Cornell received 4,850 early action applications.

Check out the number of early applications to each Ivy League school this year below, plus the percent change from last year:

1. Princeton University - 4,174, up 9.4%

2. Columbia University - 3,520, up 4.4%

2. University of Pennsylvania - 5,629, up 4.4%

4. Harvard University - 6,173, up 4.3%

5. Dartmouth College - 1,896, up 2%

6. Brown University - 669, up <1%

7. Yale University - 4,662, down <1%

8. Cornell University - N/A

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