Updated at: 10-04-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

In 1954, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, and Princeton came together to form an intercollegiate athletic conference known as the Ivy League. These are among the most competitive and prestigious colleges in the country. Each institution is one of the best in the country.

Despite its reputation as a bastion of academic excellence, the Ivy League’s original purpose was to boost athletic competition among its member institutions. Over time, however, the Ivies have earned a reputation for excellence in the classroom as well.

It’s a tough road to an Ivy League education. The eight Ivy League universities are widely considered to be the best in the United States. Students who meet the academic and testing requirements and who write compelling application essays often find themselves accepted.

So, let’s not waste any more time and get down to business.

Easiest Ivy League Schools To Get Into

Easiest ivy league schools to get into

Cornell University

Cornell University

Cornell University’s founding motto, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study,” was spoken by cofounder Ezra Cornell in 1865 and remains just as relevant today. Cornell, the Ivy with the highest acceptance rate, is also the most diverse in its curriculum, with more than 4,000 courses spread across its seven undergraduate schools. When it comes to modern Far Eastern languages and journalism degrees, Cornell was first to the punch. Cornell has much more to offer than just academics; to get started, check out the 161 Things Every Cornellian Should Do. The Finger Lakes region of New York provides a stunning backdrop for the 2,300-acre campus.

Students must apply to one of Cornell’s eight undergraduate colleges specifically. Cornell has the highest acceptance rate of any Ivy League school, but there is a wide range between individual colleges.

University of Pennsylvania 

The University of Pennsylvania, established in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, successfully combines its historic significance with the pioneering spirit on which it was built. Franklin thought that universities should provide students with a foundation in the arts and humanities as well as the skills they’ll need to find gainful employment and improve society. The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania was the first college-level business school in the world, and Penn Medicine is the oldest medical school in the United States. Franklin Field, the oldest football stadium in the United States, is located on campus, so students can easily attend a game there.

Instead of applying to Penn as a whole, prospective students choose one of the university’s four schools (the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Nursing, Penn Engineering, or the Wharton School of Business) to which they will concentrate their studies. To enroll in a dual-degree program, you must first be accepted to each of the participating institutions. While we don’t have data on specific schools’ acceptance rates, we can assume that specialty programs will have a lower rate of acceptance than the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dartmouth College

Eleazar Wheelock established Dartmouth College in 1769. Hanover College is a private liberal arts institution in New Hampshire’s capital city of Hanover.

The acceptance rate is 9.2 percent, which is above average. This means that out of a total of 22,033 applicants, roughly 2,000 were selected. That’s an admirable sum, though it should be noted that SAT norms are extremely high.

Dartmouth’s size is a major strength. With only about 4000 first-year students, it’s easier to get to know everyone there.

The college may be small, but it provides over 2,000 different courses in liberal arts disciplines such as art history, economics, and languages. One of the oldest MD programs in the country, it has a solid reputation.

Dartmouth is a fantastic option if you’re interested in attending a smaller Ivy League school but are put off by the high SAT averages typically seen there.

Brown University

Brown University

Applying to this university is a desirable option for many high school seniors.

This is especially true for those who know the school provides what it calls an open curriculum.

The students are given the freedom to design their own courses. This is entirely up to their own whims and preferences. At the outset, they can pick from among a hundred different courses of study. They can choose to specialize later on if they so choose.

Students who want to have a say in shaping their college experience will find Brown University’s policies to their liking. You’ll need to enroll in the institution yourself if you want a similar experience.

Brown University’s minimum GPA requirement is a closely guarded secret. However, there are those who argue that it needs to be at least 4.0.

It just means you’ll have to work a little bit harder to finish first in your high school class. You’ll need above-average SAT/ACT scores to get past the initial screening.

That’s correct, but it’s only half the fight. Brown University’s admissions officers will look over the remaining requirements after a candidate has passed the initial screening.

Recommendation letters, extracurriculars, and application essays all fall under this category. Even in these areas, they should be impressed by you. That’s because Brown University is looking for students who can make an impact in the world, not just smart ones.

Harvard University 

You will have a lot of leeway in deciding what to study as an undergraduate at Harvard College because the school offers more than 3,700 courses across 50 different concentrations. Different fields of study are organized into distinct headings, such as “Arts & Humanities,” “Engineering & Applied Sciences,” “Science,” “Social Sciences,” and so on. Recent data shows that only 3.43 percent of applicants to Harvard University were accepted. The total cost of attending Harvard each year is around $54,768.

Yale University 

Yale-University

Over 80 different undergraduate majors are available at Yale College, leading to either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. In order to graduate with the skills and knowledge necessary for success, students must also fulfill “distributional requirements.” The acceptance rate in Yale’s most recent admissions cycle was 6.6%, which is about the same as the average acceptance rate among all Ivy League schools. The total cost of a year at Yale, including tuition and fees, is around $62,250. Yale is not on the list of the easiest Ivies to get into in 2023.

Princeton University

As one of the United States’ oldest and most prestigious universities, Princeton was established in 1746 as the College of New Jersey and changed its name in 1896. Almost all undergraduates choose to live on campus, making for a close-knit and active community, and the school is well-known for its beautiful ivy-covered 500-acre campus located in the picturesque town of Princeton. Princeton has plenty of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and cultural attractions, but if you want to visit a larger city, such as New York or Philadelphia, the “Dinky” train will get you there in about an hour.

Columbia University

Columbia University

The acceptance rate for the Class of 2020 at Columbia University is a low 6.0%. Because of this, it is the second most challenging school to enter among the Ivy League. Many high school graduates nonetheless apply, despite the fact that the selection process is notoriously competitive.

Reason being, the institution is located in arguably the best city in the United States and arguably the best city in the world. It’s the one and only New York City, also known as the Big Apple!

This particular Ivy was established in 1754, making its age nearly three centuries. It’s the state’s oldest university and the fifth-oldest in the country. King’s College was the original name for the institution. The American Revolution saw its transformation into present-day Columbia University.

Do you wish to improve your odds of acceptance to Columbia University? So, get ready to wow everyone with your stellar academic performance. Experts in SAT and ACT prep estimate that you’ll need an SAT score of around 1,580 to get in.

On the other hand, an ACT composite score of 34 is recommended. They also recommend that you have a 4.13 GPA.

But, as is the case with many other elite universities, Columbia University’s admissions officers can be difficult to impress. In addition to grades and test scores, they consider a wide range of other factors.

Therefore, you will need to excel in other areas as well if you aspire to become a bona fide Columbian someday.

FAQs

What is the Ivy League?

The eight schools that make up the Ivy League are collectively known as some of the oldest, most prestigious educational institutions in the northeastern United States. While many of these colleges have been around for hundreds of years, the Ivy League didn’t come into existence until 1954. Despite its history in sports, the Ivy League is now more well-known for its academics than its athletes due to the intense competition for admission.

Will attending an ivy league increase my chances of getting into graduate schools?

If you graduate from an Ivy League institution and maintain a high GPA while there, you will receive glowing recommendations from your professors and classmates. Having a degree from one of these institutions on your transcript shows that you are committed to academic excellence and prestige. Do not assume, however, that your attendance at an Ivy League university will guarantee your acceptance into a graduate degree program such as an MD or MBA; rather, your accomplishments, experiences, suitability, and personality will be the deciding factors.

What is so great about ivy league schools?

Ivy League institutions contribute significantly to their own prestige. While it’s true that their courses are of a high standard and that their teachers are among the best in the field, it’s also true that there are many other excellent educational options available. Be aware that students at Ivy League universities tend to be “cliquey.” There are many students currently enrolled at each Ivy League school who are direct offspring of alumni. If you have a strong application, it shouldn’t hurt your chances, but it does raise questions about nepotism in the Ivy League. It is important to pick a school and major that you will enjoy. Don’t be shy about applying to an Ivy if its curriculum sounds like something you’d be interested in.

What is the hardest ivy to get into?

In terms of competitiveness, Harvard University is currently number one. With an all-time low acceptance rate of 3.19 percent for the class of 2026. This acceptance rate is for Harvard College, the undergraduate division of the prestigious Harvard University.

What is the cheapest Ivy League school?

The average financial aid package at Yale University is $58,000. Yale has the lowest average net cost among Ivy League schools, at under $18,000 per year, thanks to its generous financial aid packages.

Conclusion

These may be the more accessible Ivy League schools, but admission is still competitive. You need good grades and SAT scores if you want to get into one of these schools.

But that shouldn’t put you off. The academic programs at these institutions are among the best in the country, and they are situated in fantastic metropolitan areas. You can get a good job anywhere you want if you get into one of these schools and finish the program. Getting your education at a prestigious institution is a terrific springboard for a successful professional life.

Don’t follow the crowd just because it’s what your parents or friends recommend. Choosing a college that is a good fit for you academically and personally is essential. Don’t be hesitant to research your options; there are many excellent universities available.

Apply to one of these institutions if you think you can handle the pressure and see where it takes you.