The Ultimate Guide to Ivy League Schools
by Trent Baumbach
The Ultimate Guide to Ivy League Schools
Introduction
Many international school students in Japan have their sights set on the elite Ivy League schools. The Ivy League refers to a group of eight private colleges and universities in the Northeastern United States. While the name “Ivy League” originally pertained to an athletic conference, over time it has come to represent overall academic excellence, selective admissions, historic traditions, and social prestige.
The institutions within the Ivy League are:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania (Penn)
- Princeton University
- Yale University
In this blog, we’ll give a brief overview of each Ivy League school and summarize some key statistic most relevant to international students.
Do you want to improve your chances of getting into a top-tier university? Schedule your consultation with Tokyo Academics today!
The Ivy League Schools: What to Know
While these schools share the Ivy League designation and stand out for their high academic standards, each possesses unique qualities, cultures, and locations for prospective students to consider when making their decisions.
Brown University
- Location: Providence, Rhode Island
- Founded: 1764
Known for its open curriculum, which allows students to design their own academic path, Brown promotes a learning environment where students explore and engage in diverse interests. Its diverse community, undergraduate research opportunities, and collaborations are some highlights.
Columbia University
- Location: New York City, New York
- Founded: 1754
Situated in the heart of Manhattan, Columbia offers rigorous academic programs and a core curriculum that ensures a broad-based education. Its location gives students unparalleled access to internships, cultural experiences, and more.
Cornell University
- Location: Ithaca, New York
- Founded: 1865
Located in upstate New York, Cornell combines rigorous academic programs with a commitment to public engagement. It boasts relatively more diverse academic programs than other Ivy League schools, from hotel administration to various engineering disciplines.
Dartmouth College
- Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
- Founded: 1769
The smallest in the Ivy League, Dartmouth is known for its tight-knit community and emphasis on undergraduate education. The D-Plan, a unique quarter system (versus the standard semester system), offers students greater flexibility in their studies.
Harvard University
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Founded: 1636
The oldest institution of higher education in the U.S., Harvard is renowned globally for its influence, rigorous academic programs, extensive library system, and emphasis on research. It is arguably the most well-renowned university worldwide.
University of Pennsylvania (Penn)
- Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Founded: 1740
Founded by Benjamin Franklin, Penn is recognized for integrating liberal arts and professional education. The Wharton School, Penn’s business school, is particularly renowned and often ranks as the highest-rated undergraduate business school in the United States.
Princeton University
- Location: Princeton, New Jersey
- Founded: 1746
Princeton is known for its commitment to undergraduate education, a strong emphasis on independent research, and a generous financial aid program. Students engage in independent projects, culminating in a senior thesis.
Yale University
- Location: New Haven, Connecticut
- Founded: 1701
With its vast library system, diverse academic programs, and focus on research and global initiatives, Yale is committed to enriching the intellectual lives of its students. The residential college system fosters a strong sense of community.
Non-Ivy League Schools
Of course, other non-Ivy schools like MIT, Duke, and Stanford are equally reputable to the schools listed above and absolutely worth your consideration. While the Ivy League schools carry a strong brand name, students should ultimately pick the school best aligned with their goals and interests.
Comparing the Ivy League Schools
While the overall acceptance rate of the Ivy League schools is extremely low, it’s worth noting that international students are accepted at a higher rate. These schools all value having a diverse student body, meaning your unique experiences as an international school student can stand out.
Below we’ve outlined the Ivy League rankings, share of international students, and more.
| Ivy League School | General Acceptance Rate | International Student Acceptance Rate | Share of International Students | Ranking (U.S. News & World Report) | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Brown |
5% |
15% |
13% |
13
|
$68,230
|
|
Columbia |
4% |
Unlisted
|
15%
|
7 |
$64,700 |
|
Cornell |
10%
|
Unlisted
|
10%
|
17
|
$66,014 |
|
Dartmouth |
6%
|
18%
|
13%
|
12
|
$65,739 |
|
Harvard |
4%
|
15%
|
16%
|
3 (tie)
|
$54,269 |
|
Princeton |
4%
|
14%
|
15%
|
1
|
$59,710 |
|
UPenn |
6%
|
16%
|
15%
|
18
|
$66,104 |
|
Yale |
4%
|
22%
|
12%
|
3 (tie)
|
$65,524 |
| Ivy League School | General Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
|
Brown |
5% |
|
Columbia |
4% |
|
Cornell |
10%
|
|
Dartmouth |
6%
|
|
Harvard |
4%
|
|
Princeton |
4%
|
|
UPenn |
6%
|
|
Yale |
4%
|
| Ivy League School | International Student Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
|
Brown |
15% |
|
Columbia |
Unlisted
|
|
Cornell |
Unlisted
|
|
Dartmouth |
18%
|
|
Harvard |
15%
|
|
Princeton |
14%
|
|
UPenn |
16%
|
|
Yale |
22%
|
| Ivy League School | Share of International Students |
|---|---|
|
Brown |
13% |
|
Columbia |
15%
|
|
Cornell |
10%
|
|
Dartmouth |
13%
|
|
Harvard |
16%
|
|
Princeton |
15%
|
|
UPenn |
15%
|
|
Yale |
12%
|
| Ivy League School | Ranking (U.S. News & World Report) |
|---|---|
|
Brown |
13
|
|
Columbia |
7 |
|
Cornell |
17
|
|
Dartmouth |
12
|
|
Harvard |
3 (tie)
|
|
Princeton |
15%
|
|
UPenn |
18
|
|
Yale |
3 (tie)
|
| Ivy League School | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|
|
Brown |
$68,230
|
|
Columbia |
$64,700 |
|
Cornell |
$66,014 |
|
Dartmouth |
$65,739 |
|
Harvard |
$54,269 |
|
Princeton |
$59,710 |
|
UPenn |
$66,104 |
|
Yale |
$65,524 |
What factors should Ivy League applicants keep in mind?
With such low acceptance rates, students can often feel stuck when planning what steps to take in high school to get into the Ivy League schools. In general, keep in mind the following factors considered by college admissions officers:
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Course selection
- Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP [Advanced Placement], IB [International Baccalaureate], etc.)
- Summer school / demonstrated interest
- Research projects, publications, presentations
- Teacher, counselor, or mentor recommendations
- Extracurriculars, leadership, service
- Essays and interviews
For further details, we recommend connecting with one of Tokyo Academics’ college admissions consultants who can work with you to plan your admissions journey.
What should international school students do next?
While the Ivy League schools provide unparalleled educational opportunities and resources, getting in is tough. With private tutors who have attended these schools themselves, Tokyo Academics is equipped and ready to help you with your academic needs, from reaching a high score in SAT Math to securing your IB Diploma, getting research opportunities, and more.