What’s So Special About the Ivy League Anyway?
What’s So Special About the Ivy League Anyway?
Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Penn, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell. Each of these Ivy League institutions has a long history of excellence and an almost mythical reputation that precedes them.
But did you know that they originally came together and formed the Ivy League as a collegiate athletic conference capable of keeping their sports contests from becoming professional entertainment? The schools were keen on ensuring academics came first for all students, so they dissolved athletic merit scholarships completely.
The institutions in this league are among America’s oldest (Harvard, founded in 1636 lays claim to being the 1st university) and most sought after, growing annually in prestige and wealth—individually and collectively—drawing thousands of high-achieving domestic and international scholars every year. On these campuses, you are likely to run into valedictorians of America’s best performing schools, children of high-level politicians, and winners of international science competitions.
In many ways, it seems the Ivy League offers students a secret sauce for lifelong success. Yet, the substance of their education, some argue, is no more spectacular than that of other top universities in the United States like Washington University in St. Louis or UC Berkeley, or liberal arts colleges like Amherst or Williams.
So, is the Ivy League right for you? Let’s take a closer look at some commonly held beliefs about these schools so you can decide for yourself.
Belief #1: Ivy League schools are the best of the best.
The Ivy League certainly ranks among the most competitive universities in the world. For the Class of 2023, the acceptance rates for all Ivy schools fell below 11%. Colleges received approximately 20,000-40,000 applications and accepted between 1,800-5,000 candidates.
Cornell’s undergraduate class is the largest among the Ivies, with around 3,000 freshmen matriculating annually, and Dartmouth is the smallest, with each class being made up of about 1,100 students. In 2016, Cornell had an acceptance rate of 14%, but this fell to 10.8% during the 2019 admissions cycle; Columbia welcomed 5.1% of its applicants, and Harvard accepted 4.5%.
However, this trend in increased selectivity applies to universities across the United States, as more and more students are applying to college, within America and internationally. The Common App has also made it easier for students to submit applications, thus increasing the overall volume of applications but not necessarily applicants. Some schools have doubled their recruitment efforts to retain a lower acceptance rate, maintaining their place in rankings like U.S. News & Report. The Ivy League is highly sought after, but this does not necessarily translate into a better education and likelihood of success for all students, which leads us to the next belief.
Belief #2: All Ivy graduates are extremely successful.
It is true that an Ivy education sets up many students to excel in their fields. More than one-third of U.S. presidents earned degrees from an Ivy League university, and Harvard alone graduated 12 of Fortune 500 CEOs. With global brand recognition, incredible alumni networks, and world-class academic resources, the Ivy League offers students rich opportunities to achieve their highest potential.
Still, these schools may not be the best fit for everyone. Most Ivy League campuses foster a competitive, highly-driven environment. While some students will thrive from this energy, others will experience insecurity and feel ill-equipped to do their best work.
Many students struggle with imposter syndrome, the feeling they did not measure up to the caliber of the Harvard brand. One student told me she felt people expected her to do something amazing with her life—a poignant source of anxiety that haunts a number of her peers.
Of course, not all struggle with this pressure, and the sense of purpose that Ivy League students hold propels many to accomplish great things. But success comes in all shapes and sizes and finding a campus that suits your needs is more conducive to reaching your goals.
In fact, the University of Wisconsin graduated more Fortune 500 CEOs than Harvard, so while Ivy League schools are indeed an amazing gateway to success, attending does not guarantee success.
One of the most important factors in determining your future success is your happiness in college – whether or not you feel supported, safe, and appropriately challenged. Knowing the environments you learn best in will ultimately matter more for you than the prestige of whichever specific institution you attend.
Belief #3: Only students with straight As and perfect scores are accepted.
Straight As and perfect test scores are not required for acceptance to Ivies, but you do need a strong academic profile. Ideally, your grades and scores should match the averages of admitted students. Admissions officers will also consider your school context:
- Are you among the top in your class?
- Have you taken rigorous courses throughout high school?
- Did you make full use of the opportunities and resources that were available to you?
But it’s not all about numbers. Colleges also care about how students serve their community and engage their intellectual interests. If you had extenuating circumstances that caused a dip in your grades, admissions committees will take that into consideration too.
Find a strong reason to excel through high school and beyond. Base your goals on what kind of impact you want to make in the world—whether it’s starting a company or innovating new technology.
Take full advantage of the education that you have today: develop strong work ethic, challenge yourself daily, and engage with diverse people. Solve problems in your community and meet the needs of those around you. Let these goals be your North Star, and a compelling academic and personal profile will unfold that sets you apart from other candidates.
It must also be said that the Ivy League rejects far more students who are qualified and would thrive on their campuses than they have space to admit. Many straight A students, valedictorians, class presidents, Eagle Scouts, and Gold Award recipients are denied admission. This is not a reflection on you as a person or even on your accomplishments.
By focusing on what makes you special and dedicating time to cultivating that to the fullest extent possible, you position yourself to do well in the admissions process (and life, more importantly) for the Ivy League and beyond.
So, is the Ivy League that special?
Ultimately, where you attend college will only be a piece of the larger puzzle of who you are. How you attend college is the key.
Invest your time in meaningful research, service, and passion projects. Build your network and don’t be afraid to ask for help or clarification when needed. Wherever you ultimately matriculate will be special if you take advantage of its resources and reflect on the impact you hope to make in the world.
The expert admissions consultants at Wise World Prep have helped hundreds of students maximize their potential of being admitted to their top choice colleges and universities. Over 20 years, we have successfully guided students through each stage of the application process – from choosing competitive high school courses to building an appropriate college list to drafting winning essays to writing persuasive update and appeals letters. We would be happy to answer your questions and partner with you to create a successful admissions roadmap.
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