Chapter 1
Overview
For various reasons, the IVY League universities are likely to be the first to catch your interest when you start looking for undergraduate and graduate degrees.
In order to attract students who are educated, driven, and career-minded, just like you, they use a lot of resources. It should go without saying that great institutions give their students tremendous support as they pursue careers. The Ivy League universities are truly world-class in a wide range of fields, including commerce, engineering, law, and medicine. If you obtain a degree from one of these colleges, you will have numerous opportunities in the future.
In this article, you will everything about the IVY League process and the IVY League universities.
What are IVY League Universities?
The Ivy League Athletic Conference is made up of eight elite private colleges and universities in the Northeast. Ivy League universities have come to be associated with prestige over time.
The eight original Ivy League schools are
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- Princeton University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
Despite the fact that many prestigious universities in the United States are mistaken for Ivy League institutions.
Advantages and Disadvantages of IVY League Universities
Firstly, let’s talk about the advantages:
- World-class peers and faculty
- Lifelong Ivy League network
- Availability of resources
- Name recognition
Now let’s talk about the disadvantages,
- Very Expensive tuition fees
- Crazy Competitiveness
- A non-representative student body
- Low student to faculty ratios
Requirements to Study in IVY League Universities :
Simply said, there isn’t a single secret to applying to a top American university. Although approved students come from a variety of academic and cultural backgrounds, it is totally up to each admissions board to determine whether your objectives, academic performance, and experience are a good fit with what the university has to offer.
In general, the following requirements must be met in order to be qualified to apply to a graduate programme at an Ivy League institution:
- the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in the USA
- transcripts including GPAs, from all academic institutions you have attended
- proof of English proficiency i.e., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic
- Standardised test scores i.e., GRE, GMAT, LSAT
- 3 Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Resume or CV
- Non-refundable application fee
Okay, these specifications are essentially the same as those at many colleges all across the world. What makes applying to Ivy League universities so special? Well, they typically only accept kids with the best test and language scores. The average scores for those who were approved are as follows:
Average GPA | 3.71 on a 4.0 scale |
TOEFL | 100 or higher |
IELTS test | 7.5 or higher on the |
GRE | 155- 170 for all subjects |
LSAT: | 173 and higher |
MCAT | 36.6 and higher |
Chapter 2
IVY League Universities in the USA
1. Brown University
Brown University, situated in Providence, Rhode Island, is a research institution recognised for its demanding and flexible open curriculum, which allows students to design their own path of study. The college is extremely selective, with an admittance rate of only 8%, and the typical student has a SAT score between 1440 and 1520 or an ACT score between 32 and 35.
2. Columbia University
Columbia University is situated in New York City. According to Niche’s 2020 Best Colleges, Columbia University is placed first among American universities for philosophy, second among those for English, and second among those for performing arts. The university has more than 200 research centres and institutions and provides hundreds of study fields. With a 6% acceptance rate, Columbia University is even more competitive than Brown University. On average, its students have SAT scores in the 1450–1560 range or ACT scores in the 33–35 range.
3. Cornell University :
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University boasts a sizable undergraduate student body of more than 15,000 students. Business, computer science, and biology are some of its well-liked majors. It received rankings of #1 for Best Colleges for Agricultural Sciences in the USA and #3 for Best Colleges for Architecture in the USA. The acceptance rate is 11%, with SAT scores averaging between 1390 and 1540 and ACT scores between 32 and 34.
4. Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is situated in Hanover, New Hampshire, and is ranked as the best college in the state. With just over 4,000 undergraduate students, it is a relatively modest school when compared to the other Ivy League institutions. Dartmouth has an acceptance rate of under 9% and only accepts students with SAT scores between 1420 and 1560 and ACT scores between 31 and 35.
5. Harvard University :
Harvard University is undoubtedly the most well-known Ivy League institution. It is a medium-sized university with about 7,000 undergrad students and is situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard’s acceptance rate is under 5%, making it a relatively selective institution. The SAT scores and ACT scores of accepted students tend to range from 1460 to 1580 and 33 to 35 respectively.
6. Princeton University :
Princeton University is situated in the city of Princeton, New Jersey. The university was established in 1746, making it the 4th-oldest in the country. Similar to Harvard, it is a medium-sized college with about 5,000 undergraduate students and a 5-percent admittance rate due to intense competition. Its most sought-after degrees include economics, government policy analysis, and computer science. It is ranked as the second-best college in the nation for studying political science and public policy. The SAT ranges from 1440 to 1570, and the ACT ranges from 32 to 35.
7. University of Pennsylvania :
The University of Pennsylvania, usually known as “Penn,” is situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With 10,000 undergraduate students on average, it is a sizable institution that has a high admission rate of 8%. Nursing, economics, and finance are popular majors at Penn, which is ranked as the top business institution in the country. The typical ACT score range is 32–35 while the SAT score range is 1420–1550.
8. Yale University :
Yale University, situated in New Haven, Connecticut, is a research and liberal arts college. It is ranked first among American universities with the best teachers and first among those where history is offered as a major. It has an extremely low acceptance rate of just 6% and accepts students with average SAT scores in the 1460–1570 range and ACT scores in the 33–35 range.
Ivy League Universities List Ranking :
Ivy League Universities |
State |
QS World Rankings |
US News Ranking |
Forbes Ranking |
Niche Ranking |
Brown University |
Rhode Island |
56 |
14 |
8 |
9 |
Columbia University |
New York |
16 |
3 |
15 |
7 |
Cornell University |
New York |
14 |
16 |
13 |
21 |
Dartmouth College |
New Hampshire |
183 |
12 |
9 |
19 |
Harvard University |
Massachusetts |
3 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
Princeton University |
New Jersey |
13 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
University of Pennsylvania |
Pennsylvania |
19 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
Yale University |
Connecticut |
15 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
Acceptance Rate of The IVY League Institutions
Ivy League Universities |
Acceptance Rate |
Cornell University |
14% |
Dartmouth College |
11% |
Brown University |
9% |
Columbia University |
7% |
University of Pennsylvania |
9% |
Princeton University |
7% |
Yale University |
6% |
Harvard University |
5% |
Top Universities Commonly Mistaken for IVY League Universities
- Stanford University
Stanford University is probably the most frequently mistaken as an Ivy League university. It shares the sixth spot in the U.S. News national rankings with Penn. Its reputation may be due to its extremely low acceptance rate of only 4%.
2. MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also known as MIT, is a prestigious institution with a 7% acceptance rate. It is ranked #3 in the U.S. News National Rankings after Yale and Columbia.
3. Northwestern University
Considering Northwestern’s excellent rankings and discerning admissions process, many people mistake it for an Ivy League institution. It has an acceptance rate of just 8% and is placed #9 in the U.S. News National Rankings.
4. University of Chicago
In sixth place, University of Chicago is close behind Stanford and Penn. Its 7 percent acceptance rate puts it on an equal footing with several Ivy League schools.
How to Get into IVY League Universities?
Here are some key points to keep in mind to crack into an IVY League institute:
High Grades and Test Scores
The average graded GPA for accepted students at Ivy League schools is roughly 4.0, according to those who do provide the average GPAs of their accepted students. It appears from this that most students who enrol in Ivy League colleges earned A grades in high school, with the occasional A- or B+ tossed in for good measure.
It won’t be enough to have practically all As in high school to get into Ivies because most students who attend them have high GPAs. Nevertheless, as it will put you on an equal level with other high achievers, we still advise it as a first step in the application process for Ivy League universities.
Standardised Tests Preparation
Typically, you take the SAT or ACT test in the second half of your sophomore year. Before you begin studying, choose whether you intend to take the SAT or the ACT. The two tests do not go together, despite the fact that most institutions accept them indiscriminately. Both tests, for instance, gauge your proficiency in high school mathematics, but the ACT contains a disproportionately higher proportion of geometry and trigonometry problems in addition to more overall mathematical inquiries. The easiest approach to determine which test is ideal for you is to take practise SAT and ACT exams. After finishing the practise exams, you can select the test you want to take and begin organising your study strategy.
Apply Early
You can considerably increase your chances of being accepted to an Ivy League school by submitting your application early. However, keep in mind that you can only apply early decisions on one university, so make your selection carefully. Make sure that you only submit a pre-application if you are certain that the university is what you desire.
Create a Good Quality Essay
Memorable essays open with original and uncommon imagery that grabs the reader’s attention and entices them to read more. Dialogue, quotations, and sensory descriptions of the event are a few examples of effective essay hooks. A stuffy or official college essay is not what you want. Like you’re meeting a new supervisor for the first time and attempting to be genuine while putting your best foot forward, use a more refined version of your regular communication style.
Additionally, make an effort to tie tales to larger themes and highlight times of personal development, reflection, and discovery. Ivy League schools will see that you are the kind of student they would like in their community if you have self-awareness and a drive to get better. Additionally, be modest while writing with confidence. You want to join an Ivy League school because of this, after all. Your essay ought to demonstrate that you still have a lot more to learn and do better.
Make The Application Unique
Ivy League colleges frequently specialise in particular academic disciplines. For instance, the departments of music and foreign relations at Yale University are well-known, and Brown University is thought to be the most innovative. Knowing which Ivy League school’s specialisation is appropriate for you enables you to concentrate not only on the most important but also on the most practical aspects of your application.
Good Letter of Recommendation
Your letters of recommendation for Ivy League colleges demonstrate your development and your social skills. Positive recommendation letters demonstrate to prospective Ivy League schools your suitability as a member of their student body.
So that they can provide insights into your personality both inside and outside the class, you should approach instructors with someone you have had positive interactions. If you get along with your instructor, he or she will be able to talk about how you’ve grown personally in your letter of reference.
Extracurricular Activities are Important
It’s a frequent fallacy that you need to be an all-around scholar to get into an Ivy League university. The first few semesters of high school should be devoted to finding your hobbies by participating in a variety of pursuits until one sticks out. Any activity can become genuinely amazing if it is approached with enthusiasm and dedication. Be sure to highlight this talent, skill, or ability in your application. By utilising this skill, you can convince the admissions officer that you belong on the winning squad at the university.
Give a Good Interview
Be ready for an interview with a university alumnus if you’re applying there. Your interview will determine whether you are admitted or denied by the university you want to attend. Always be cordial and courteous when replying to inquiries. Ivy League interviews are often cordial conversations in which the interviewer wants to find out more about you.
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Conclusion :
Ivy League colleges are well-known for their academic prowess and status. Graduates typically obtain higher-paying employment than do those with degrees from public universities. However, it’s never simple to get accepted to an Ivy League university. You can still try your best to get into one of these prestigious institutions. Keep the above-mentioned points in your mind to go through the process in a seamless way.