You frantically type your credentials into the student portal, palms sweaty and eyes glued to the screen, a whirlwind of thoughts about the fate of your application floods your mind. The words “view status” flash on the screen– you click, and there it is. You got in. Getting into an Ivy League school is a dream for many students, and can be one of the most rewarding experiences for those fortunate enough to be chosen. The Ivy League consists of eight private institutions with acceptance rates ranging from 3.59- 9.73%. These schools are renowned for their rigorous academics and distinguished alumni. While gaining admission is challenging, it is achievable with dedication and effort.
“The people who have the best chances of getting into these schools just have defining traits or special areas that they’ve really shown commitment to,” senior Hudson Haley said. “Commit yourself to one or as many possible things–something really special, in my case, it was running.”
Haley’s involvement in track and field was one of the defining factors to his application, however upholding a busy academic schedule, getting involved in unique extracurriculars and contacting these esteemed universities are all steps students should take in order to earn a spot within the Ivy League.
“I spent a lot of time training for running and trying to keep up with school as best as I could, so I knew I wanted to go big, otherwise it would all be for nothing,” Haley said, “I tried to get into [Princeton’s] radar as soon as possible and talk to the coaches.”
At Princeton, Haley hopes to immerse himself in a community of ambitious and like-minded individuals to build meaningful connections.
“I mainly want to meet a lot of people and hopefully establish some solid connections,” Haley said. “I know there’s a lot of really driven people– people that are special in their own way, if I could just meet a few of them then I think it’ll be worth it.”
The student athlete route is not the only way one can gain an acceptance letter. Nipun Nagendra, who will be attending Cornell University, thinks his research and dedication to astrophysics made him stand out on his application.
“The big thing that stood out for me was my research,” Nagendra said.
Nagendra has been involved in a global research project and is one of the first high school students to be a part of the initiative. For Nagendra, having a specific interest is what makes an application stand out, “Rather than doing multiple things across various fields, I went very specifically into astrophysics.”
Ivy League schools receive thousands of applications each year, but only a select few are granted the opportunity to attend. Nagendra emphasizes the importance of standing out and making your voice heard in your application.
“For top schools it’s hard because so many people apply [to them], no matter what you write, someone else has written or done the same thing,” Nagendra said. “The big thing is to really tell your story in a way that applies to you.”
During his time at Cornell, Nagendra wishes to further his research endeavors and take full advantage of the numerous opportunities the university provides.
“One thing that hooked me on Cornell was the research opportunities. [I want to] get involved with all the work that’s being done and to make the most of that while I’m there,” Nagendra said.
Each ivy offers something unique to its students, and for senior Jerome Lee, Brown University’s open curriculum was a driving factor in his decision to attend.
“A unique thing about Brown is that they have an open curriculum, so I can explore different topics before I fully choose what I want to do for the rest of my life,” Lee said.
Many students may envision a highly competitive environment when it comes to Ivy League schools, however for Lee, Brown University offered a comforting environment.
“I visited schools on the East Coast, and I thought Brown really stood out to me,” Lee said. “The students were all very supportive and not [aggressive] like other Ivy Leagues that you might think of.”
Lee’s involvement in the marching band and his passion for music were key factors that helped his application stand out. Reflecting on the application process, Lee also emphasized the importance of highlighting unique qualities when applying to these competitive universities.
“Make your voice really shine through and emphasize what makes you special,” Lee said. “Don’t be so basic as to be a drop in an ocean of applicants [these schools] get.”
While the acceptance rate of Ivy League schools may be intimidating, it is entirely possible for students to get accepted into their dream schools. The factor present for each student accepted is a unique aspect that these students dedicate themselves to. With the college admissions process becoming more competitive each year, it becomes increasingly important to show the admissions officers the traits that make you who you are.
