Attending an Ivy League college is an important aspiration for many students. That being said, thousands of qualified students apply to Ivy League colleges every year, but only a fraction of them are admitted, with most Ivy League acceptance rates averaging around 5%.
If you are wondering how to get into Harvard or other Ivy League colleges, read on for further insights into the Ivy League admission process. In this article, we will delve into Ivy League admission statistics, in addition to discussing important application strategies to keep in mind as you move forward with your applications.
An overview of the Ivy Leagues
Ivy League colleges are elite institutions located in the northeast known for their liberal arts curriculums and exclusive admissions rates. Earning a degree from an Ivy League school grants graduates a competitive edge in their field, regardless of the industry. In fact, it’s widely acknowledged that an Ivy League education will help you jumpstart your career — on account of the school’s reputation, prestige, and networking opportunities. For more information about Ivy League institutions, check out our article, Breaking Down The Ivy League.
How many Ivy Leagues are there?
There are nearly 4,000 universities in the United States, but there are only eight (8) Ivy League colleges:
There are lots of other highly-selective, elite schools in the US, many of which have reputations that rival those of Ivy Leagues. For example, Duke, MIT, and Stanford are often confused for being Ivy League institutions. While officially, this is not the case, these schools offer the same advantages as Ivy League schools.
There are lots of other elite colleges to choose from as well, including the 11 NESCAC schools:
What to know about each Ivy League college
Although all of the Ivy Leagues are top-tier schools, each school is unique and is known for different programs. If you are serious about attending an Ivy League college, research each school carefully and pinpoint which schools are most reflective of your interests and talents. Researching colleges will also help you tailor your college applications and write compelling “why this college” essays.
Below is a quick overview of each Ivy League college and what they are most known for:
Brown University
Brown University is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and has an undergraduate population of 7,639, with an acceptance rate of 5.08% for the class of 2027. It is best known for its English and History programs, as well as its medical school, The Warren Alpert Medical School.
Columbia University
Columbia University is located in New York City, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 8,832, with an overall acceptance rate of 3.93% for the class of 2027. It is best known for its School of Engineering, as well as its role in administering the Pulitzer Prizes.
Cornell University
Cornell University is located in Ithaca, New York, and has an undergraduate population of 15,735, with an overall acceptance rate of 7%. It is best known for its Colleges of Arts and Sciences, as well as for its Agriculture and Life Sciences programs.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, New Hampshire, and has an undergraduate population of 4,458, with an overall acceptance rate of 6.07% for the class of 2027. It is best known for its research and study abroad opportunities.
Harvard University
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has an undergraduate population of 7,240, with an overall acceptance rate of 3.41% for the class of 2027. It is best known for its business, law, government, and medicine programs. It also has the oldest collection of books in the US, as well as the largest private book collection in the world.
UPenn
The University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and has an undergraduate population of 9,760, with an overall acceptance rate of 7%. It is best known for its business school, The Wharton School.
Princeton University
Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and has an undergraduate population of 5,604, with an overall acceptance rate of 6. It is best known for its programs in international affairs and engineering.
Yale
Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, and has an undergraduate population of 5,604, with an acceptance rate of 4.35% for the class of 2027. It is best known for its drama and music programs.
Ivy League acceptance rates and admission statistics (2024)
Interested in learning more about Ivy League enrollment numbers, Ivy League ED acceptance rates, and Ivy League acceptance rates over time? The table below features key Ivy League undergraduate enrollment statistics for you to peruse:
| Name of School | Location | Undergraduate Population | Overall Acceptance Rate | Early Admissions Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | Providence, RI | 7,639 | 5.08% | 12.98% |
| Columbia University | New York City, NY | 8,832 | 3.93% | 11.3% |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | 15,735 | 7%* | 19%* |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | 4,458 | 6.07% | 19.21% |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 7,240 | 3.41% | 7.56% |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 9,760 | 7%* | 16%* |
| Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | 5,604 | 6%* | Not available |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 5,604 | 4.35% | 10.89% |
*Class of 2027 admission statistics have not been published; statistics are from previous year.
According to the table above, the Ivy League highest acceptance rate is tied between UPenn and Cornell! That being said, the differences in acceptance rates are so minimal that they shouldn’t affect any of your application decisions.
How to get into the Ivy League schools
Now that you know a bit more about each of the eight Ivy League colleges, let’s move onto how to get into an Ivy League. In the following sections, we will discuss various admission topics, such as Ivy League admissions essays and Ivy League GPA requirements.
Test scores and GPAs
Your GPA is also an important admissions factor. Admissions committees favor students who take the most challenging coursework available to them, while consistently receiving high grades. If you’re wondering what GPA you need to get into Harvard, 54% of Harvard’s admitted students received a 4.0 on their high school transcripts. While it is not impossible to attend an Ivy League institution without a 4.0 and impressive standardized test scores, academics are still a huge factor.
Are you wondering how hard is it to get into Harvard? Or what is a good weighted GPA for Ivy League? Or how to get into an Ivy League school in general? Realistically, in order to be considered a competitive applicant, you need an impressive GPA, a rigorous course load — with lots of AP, IB, and Honors classes — and outstanding SAT and ACT scores. In general, students admitted to Ivy League schools score no less than 1400 on the SAT or 30 on the ACT.
Your GPA is also an important admissions factor. Admissions committees favor students who take the most challenging coursework available to them, while consistently receiving high grades. If you’re wondering what GPA you need to get into Harvard, 54% of Harvard’s admitted students received a 4.0 on their high school transcripts. While it is not impossible to attend an Ivy League institution without a 4.0 and impressive standardized test scores, academics are still a huge factor.
Extracurricular activities
Ivy League colleges are less interested in admitting well-rounded students than they are interested in admitting well-rounded student bodies. Your extracurricular activities are an important factor in your college applications. Admissions committees are interested in students who have meaningful, unique, and well-integrated extracurricular activities. Ideally, your extracurricular activities should tell a story. Ivy League colleges want to admit students who stand out and have interesting narratives.
For example, a student who has starred in several community plays, has completed an internship with a notable playwright, is passionate about teaching at-risk youth theater, and produces a monthly podcast about the history of intersectional feminism in theater, demonstrates passion, commitment, and innovation. This student will stand out more than a student with more typical extracurriculars — such as a student who plays soccer, works at their local coffee shop, takes flute lessons, and volunteers at the food pantry.
Oftentimes, college admissions officers want to admit students who’ve completed a high school passion project and/or have attended a pre-college summer program.
Social connections
That said, colleges also recognize the difficulties of minority students and value cultural diversity. Depending on how you present your personal background — particularly in your college essays — you can use your life experiences to your advantage when considering how to stand out to Ivy League colleges.
Being well-connected will grant your application a more competitive edge, especially when considering how to get into Harvard university or other esteemed universities. Ivy League institutions are known for admitting legacy applicants, students recommended by wealthy donors, students who are famous in their own right, as well as children of powerful public figures, such as world leaders or celebrities.
That said, colleges also recognize the difficulties of minority students and value cultural diversity. Depending on how you present your personal background — particularly in your college essays — you can use your life experiences to your advantage when considering how to stand out to Ivy League colleges.
Additional admission factors
Not all students will have high academic achievements and engaging extracurriculars, in addition to being well-connected. Admissions counselors, however, are looking for students who present an interesting combination of these three factors.
In order to strengthen your chances of admissions, tailor your college applications, apply for Early Action or Early Decision, schedule college interviews, and make sure to keep track of Ivy League application deadlines as well as any other Ivy League requirements such as supplemental essays or a portfolio.
It’s also important to do your best to write an exceptional college application essay that is authentic, personable, and addresses something that does not appear in the rest of your application. Your college application essay is your best chance to win over admissions counselors, so approach this aspect of your application with care and make sure you read several winning college essay examples from top schools as you prepare.
For more insight into crafting successful Ivy League admissions essays, check out our articles: How to Write a Personal Statement with An Example That Worked and Helping Your Child Navigate The Personal Statement.
Key takeaways and moving forward
Ivy League schools present students with valuable resources and opportunities. Many qualified students from all over the world apply to these schools every year, but only a small fraction of them receive an Ivy League acceptance letter. If you have your heart set on attending an Ivy League, consider hiring a college counselor or reaching out to learn more about our services. Ivy league admissions consulting is a valuable resource, one that may help you get the edge you need to go to your dream school! This may be especially helpful if You’ve Been Waitlisted on Ivy Day.
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