What are Ivy League Schools?

In the 1950s, the Ivy League was first founded for university football. The presidents of those 8 universities signed the Ivy Green Agreements that set standards for college football teams. As time went by, the Ivy League became synonymous with top universities as it attracted more and more funds and attention.

The competition for a spot in any Ivy League school is tense, but Ivy League universities all have different criteria for prospective students. In general, to apply to an Ivy League school, you need to have:

• An excellent GPA and great SAT score

• Passion for extracurricular activities

• Volunteer experience

• Reference letter(s)

• After you submit your application, you might be invited for an interview

Most of the students applying for Ivy League have GPAs ranging from 3.85 to 4.18. However, academic performance is not the only element the admission board take into consideration. They also look at many other areas, such as extracurricular activities and the fulfilment of social responsibilities.

Ivy League schools are private universities . Both domestic and international students need to pay a higher tuition fee than those who attend public schools. Studying at an Ivy League school typically costs approximately 56,000 USD a year. The living cost, on the other hand, depends on the location of the school. The living costs in Boston and New York are relatively higher.

But Ivy League universities offer merit-based scholarships that can help you further your education at the best school. There are many different types of scholarships, and they all differ, depending on the school, the department and the degree type. To learn more about Ivy League scholarships, book a one-on-one session with our advisors.

Because of their history, impressive lists of alumni and reputation, many people think of the Ivy League schools as the best of the best universities in the US . In fact, they are not much different from other top American universities.

Many other universities in the US are performing exceptionally: Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, California Institute of Technology, MIT, etc.

When you are choosing which American university to go to, consider what you need instead of the reputation of the school. Take a look at our other blog articles on studying abroad in the US and the best American cities for international students. You can also book a one-on-one session with our advisors for free. Let us help you find the program that meets your needs.

The Ivy League universities represent the pinnacle of academic excellence and are synonymous with prestige and achievement. Comprising a group of eight renowned institutions, these universities have a rich history, rigorous academic programs, and a legacy of producing exceptional graduates. From the Ivy-covered walls of Harvard to the vibrant campus life at Yale, each Ivy League university offers a unique blend of intellectual rigour, research opportunities, and a vibrant community. With a commitment to shaping future leaders and fostering a culture of innovation, Ivy League universities continue to be at the forefront of education, attracting top-tier students from around the world. Here are the 8 Ivy League universities are:

• Brown University

• Columbia University

• Cornell University

• Dartmouth College

• Harvard University

• Princeton University

• University of Pennsylvania

• Yale University

1. Brown University

Brown University was first founded in 1764 in Rhode Island, one of the oldest research universities in the US. It is about a 1.5-hour drive from Harvard University.

Brown University has a liberal campus and encourages creativity and innovation. It allows students considerable freedom to take courses. Students can explore different areas of learning and decide on their majors with the help of school advisors and earn their degrees after acquiring enough credits.

2. Princeton University

Founded in 1746, Princeton University is one of the best research American universities and one of the most difficult to get into. In 2021, only 6.1% of the applicants were admitted to undergraduate programs at Princeton University. Princeton University, Harvard University, and Yale University are dubbed the Big Three, enjoying an unparalleled reputation.

At Princeton University, 98% of the students live in dorms on campus. Freshmen don’t need to choose a major but have to complete the required courses. Students decide their majors in their sophomore year. Princeton University provides extensive resources for individual students. There are only more than 1,000 students in each year. Every student receives plenty of attention from professors.

3. Columbia University

Columbia University was established in 1754 and is one of the five oldest American universities. It has produced many Nobel prize winners and politicians. Located in Manhattan, New York City, Columbia University is a top research university with the third largest library among universities in the US.

Columbia University allows students great flexibility. New students can choose to enrol in any of the three semesters of the school year. They can also pass exams for course exemptions instead of taking other electives.

4. Cornell University

Cornell University is the only school in the Ivy League that was founded after American Revolutionary War. It was established in 1865. Cornell University has three campuses: the main one in Ithaca, New York State and two satellite campuses in New York City and Qatar. Cornell University is home to the largest Southeast Asia Program in the US.

Cornell University also has one of the most diverse campuses with hundreds of student groups. To protect students, Cornell University campus police work 24/7 and have almost the same right as Ithaca Police Department.

5. Dartmouth College

Based in New Hampshire, Dartmouth College was established in 1769. The admission competition to undergraduate programs at Dartmouth College was more than intense. Only 10.4% of the applicants were accepted in 2021.

Like Brown University, Dartmouth College features small classes. Roughly one teacher accompanies seven students on their journeys to learn. Dartmouth College is a liberal arts institution; students typically excel in Politics and Economics.

6. Harvard University

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the oldest university in the US and one of the most renowned in the world. It is located in Boston and has the oldest library in America.

Apart from their majors, students also have to complete general education in eight different areas. When students graduate from Harvard University, they are given different distinctions depending on their academic performance: summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude.

7. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1740. The University of Pennsylvania is the fourth oldest university in the US. It is extremely difficult to enrol at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2022, only 8.39% of the applicants to undergraduate programs at the University of Pennsylvania were admitted. The admission competitions to the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, Perelman School of Medicine, and Wharton Business School are among the toughest.

The University of Pennsylvania is committed to developing students with cross-disciplinary skills and, thus, allows undergraduates to take courses from other departs and graduate courses.

8. Yale University

Established in 1701 in Connecticut, Yale University is the third oldest university in America. There is a collection of 12.5 million books in its library, the second largest in the US. Only Harvard has more books than Yale. Undergraduate programs at Yale had an acceptance rate of 4.46% in 2022, the lowest in recent years. Yale University takes up traditions from Oxford University and Cambridge University . In the freshman year, students enrol in general education courses at Yale University. They only decide their majors in the second year.

Over the past 30 years, we’ve helped countless students find the program that suited them best and plan their studying abroad journey. If you still have questions about American universities, whether it’s an Ivy League school or not, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Let our experienced international education experts be there with you every step of your plan to study in the US.

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