What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

What exactly makes a school an Ivy League institution?

I see a lot of people talking about Ivy League schools, but what exactly makes a school an Ivy League? Are there specific criteria they have to meet, or is it just a group of prestigious universities that people put together? Any information would be really helpful!

11 months ago

Hello! The term 'Ivy League' actually has historical roots and specific criteria for the included schools. The Ivy League consists of eight private universities located in the Northeastern United States. These schools are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

The term originated in the 1940s and initially only referred to the athletic conference to which these schools belonged. Over time, it evolved into a colloquial term that is now synonymous with academic excellence, selective admission processes, and prestigious reputations. These universities boast many notable alumni, abundant resources, and an abundance of research opportunities for students.

It's important to note that while the Ivy League schools are highly-ranked and prestigious, there are many other excellent institutions across the country. When searching for colleges, the focus should be on finding the right fit academically, socially, and financially. Don't be limited by the idea of attending an Ivy League school. There are plenty of amazing options out there! Good luck with your college search!

11 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.