What actually makes a school part of the Ivy League?

I know the Ivy League is a group of prestigious schools, but I'm confused as to how one actually becomes an Ivy League. Is there a specific criteria, or is it just a historical association? Can other prestigious schools become part of the Ivy League too?

Hi there! Great question. The Ivy League is actually a historical athletic conference that consists of eight colleges and universities in the northeastern United States. The schools that are part of the Ivy League are: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

The term 'Ivy League' originally referred to their athletic programs, but the reputation of these schools for their academics and prestige has grown over time. It's important to note that membership in the Ivy League is not based on academic criteria, but rather the athletic conference. Due to this historical background, it's highly unlikely for any new schools to be added to the league, even if they have similar prestige and academic standards.

Remember, though, that the Ivy League label is not an indicator of the best education available; there are many amazing non-Ivy institutions out there offering top-notch education too.