Who Gets Admitted to an Ivy League College, and How

Students who hope to attend an Ivy League college face a major challenge. In fact, admission to the Ivies appears to be more competitive than ever before.

Ninety-five percent of the students admitted to Harvard graduated in the top ten percent of their classes. And, remember that a significant number of those students come from academically competitive schools public and private schools.

These students also scored highly on standardized tests, with the middle 50% earning SAT scores of 2080-2370 and/or ACT scores of 31-34. To earn a composite score of 31 on the ACT, by the way, you must answer about 90% of the questions correctly.

Clearly, students who want to wind up at an Ivy must beat out some very talented competitors. But...here's some worse news for applicants...they have to beat out lots of them. Harvard received 22,754 applications this year. Only 2,124 received the letter they wanted from the Office of Admissions.

The statistics at other Ivy League colleges are similarly grim. So, is it hopeless? No, just difficult.

Start by knowing two realities. One is that are no guarantees you will be admitted no matter how high your grades and test scores are. Ivy League admissions officers will be the first to tell you the sheer number of good applicants force them to turn away thousands of students who would be successful on their campuses.

Fact number two is that if you have any business considering an Ivy, you will be able to get into some great colleges. So, don't worry about what will happen if you don't get a "yes" from an Ivy...you'll be fine.

What can you do to improve your chances at the Ivies? You must demonstrate your interest in learning and your intellectual ability with not just good grades, but good grades in the most difficult courses available to you. If the possibilities at your high school are limited, consider enrolling in a few courses at a local college.

Take the ACT and SAT as early as possible; perhaps even as a high school freshman, to get the experience and receive a profile which lets you know how your scores stack up comparatively. Begin doing some test prep work (on your own or with a tutor or test prep organization) early in your junior year of high school.

Become engaged in clubs, activities, and at least one important public or community service organization or project. Lots of great, worthy organizations will welcome your participation. Three or four co-curricular areas in which you are a difference maker or leader are better than a dozen in which you are passively involved.

A good or bad essay can be an important "tip" factor for you. And, it's your best opportunity to tell the admissions committee who you are. Don't waste it.

If an early decision option is available, consider it seriously. It can improve your odds.

You will be asked for two or three references. Choose them carefully...very carefully. A single luke warm or negative comment on a recommendation may be damaging.

Anything in which you are involved that contributes to your personal growth and/or is charitable will make you a better person, and may help separate you from other applicants.

The Ivies' goal is to bring in a class of bright, academically accomplished, highly motivated students; students with the potential for academic and professional success. They also seek diversity, leadership, and students whose demonstrated special talents and abilities make them likely to be valuable members of the community.

Daniel Z. Kane has had a long career in education. His many educational websites deal with subjects such as degrees online , online and distance education , and adult education online.
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