Secrets to the Ivies

Have you been thinking about attending an elite university just because they are considered prestigious in the academic community? Are you a little unclear about the Ivy Leagues’s standards and environment? If so, then this article is for you.

Academic “Requirements”

Every university in the United States, even the elite ones, considers their applicants holistically (the factors beyond academics and extracurriculars) and wealth is not required to be admitted or attend. Many ivy league applicants have a weighted GPA over 4.0, typically have straight A’s on their transcript, have an average SAT score is above 1500, and an ACT composite score of at least a 34. A common myth is that all Ivy League students must be intelligent and have these scores/numbers in order to be admitted. The truth is that there is no strict minimum nor formula for admission. Because Ivy League schools are so competitive and selective in terms of their acceptance rate, these numbers only demonstrate their readiness for college. There is no secret number that the applicant needs to hit or get close to in order to be considered. Academics is only one element that is considered on the application, not the only one.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurriculars are things that applicants do outside of their academics, such as clubs, sports, activities, etc. that demonstrate a person’s passion and how wisely they spend their time. Being in leadership roles, like cabinet positions, or leading people should definitely be expressed in the university application to stand out, especially for the ones that don’t have scores that are as competitive as the school’s average percentile. Admission officers will also consider whether the student does things related to their major. For instance, an aspiring doctor should join a medical club to have higher chances of admission because it shows the university that the person is passionate about one career and field and does not “bounce around”; being on track makes one competitive for the Ivy Leagues because there will rarely be people who get admitted as “undeclared”. Finally, if the student has high qualities in a club or skill(s), the admission officers will think that that student is best fit for the university’s club, and therefore, could be admitted to contribute. For instance, Harvard’s acceptance rate in general is 3 percent, while recruited athletes have an 86 percent acceptance rate.

Essays/Letters of Recommendation

Besides other factors that determine who you are based on your performance, your personal story also matters. Essays and or letters of recommendation provide an opportunity to explain further about who the applicant is as a person, sort of like questions in a job interview. For struggles or barriers to academics and extracurriculars, there is a section in the application to explain them. However, don’t take this as an opportunity to complain about an F on transcript due to a teacher you saw as being bad. Instead, show your love of learning and dedication to school because admission officers value people who do the best they can, not the ones who just go to school to “get grades”. Unlike UCs and CSUs where no letters of recommendation are required, each Ivy League school requires at least two (one from a counselor and one from a teacher); it’s also the students’ decision to determine which teacher to pick to write them the letter. With compelling letters of recommendation, admissions officers will also be attracted to the students’ qualities beyond their application essays. 

An Overview of the Ivy Leagues

What you’ll find below is data/statistics that can be helpful to students that are looking to attend an Ivy League school. This information is meant to educate and inform, not intimidate. 

In any case, do the best you can fellow Panthers, and it’s okay if you don’t get admitted; all that matters is that you applied and tried!