Differences between Ivy League schools in the USA?

I'm a junior looking into the Ivy League schools, but I don't know a lot about the differences between them. Can anyone give me a better understanding of what sets these universities apart, such as location, campus life, or special programs?

Sure, I'd be happy to provide you with an overview of some differences between the Ivy League schools!

1. Brown University: Known for its Open Curriculum, Brown allows students to take any courses they'd like without strict core requirements. The campus has an artsy and laid-back vibe. It’s located in Providence, Rhode Island, which is a mid-sized city with a lively art scene.

2. Columbia University: Perhaps Columbia’s biggest draw is its location in New York City, as having world-class cultural and professional opportunities at your doorstep leads to remarkable growth for many students. Beyond NYC, Columbia is also well-known for its Core Curriculum, which exposes all students to various subjects in the arts, humanities, and sciences. It's also strong in more focused fields like journalism, engineering, and film studies.

3. Cornell University: Located in the much more rural Ithaca, New York, Cornell has a sprawling campus which features a range of gorges and is often called one of the most beautiful in the country. It's divided into seven undergraduate colleges, each with distinct programs and resources. It's particularly strong in engineering, hotel administration, and agriculture.

4. Dartmouth College: Known for its close-knit community, strong school spirit, and incredibly loyal alums (Dartmouth is regularly one of the top-ranked schools in the country for alumni loyalty), Dartmouth is located in Hanover, New Hampshire, a small college town in a rural setting. Dartmouth puts a strong focus on undergraduate teaching, global experiences, and academic flexibility, with the famous D-plan calendar allowing you to take off terms during the typical academic year to complete internships or research projects.

5. Harvard University: Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts (just outside of Boston), Harvard is renowned for its vast resources, research opportunities, and prestigious faculty. It's strong across a broad array of disciplines and has a wide range of top-ranked graduate schools, especially for law, business, and medicine.

6. University of Pennsylvania: Penn is in Philadelphia, an urban environment with a rich history. It's the home of the Wharton School, a top institution for business and finance, and is known for having a more pre professional atmosphere than some of the other Ivies.

7. Princeton University: Being in Princeton, New Jersey means you get to have a small-town college experience while also being just a quick train ride from New York City. Known for its strong emphasis on undergraduate research, Princeton is one of the few institutions that still requires all undergraduates to complete a senior thesis.

8. Yale University: Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale boasts a rich history, vibrant arts scene, and strong programs in many disciplines. Students live in one of the 14 residential colleges during their time at Yale, and often form close bonds with their fellow residents.

Keep in mind that these are just general characteristics, and each school has many more specific programs, strengths, and unique qualities that make them distinct. I recommend exploring their websites and visiting the campuses if possible to get a better understanding of each school's atmosphere, resources, and opportunities. You can also check out CollegeVine’s blog post breaking down which Ivy is right for you to get a better initial sense of what sets these excellent institutions apart from each other: https://blog.collegevine.com/which-ivy-league-is-right-for-you.

Best of luck with your college research!