Ivy League schools are some of the most prestigious and exclusive colleges in the United States. Every year, tens of thousands of students apply to each one and only a few thousand receive acceptance letters. So what does it really take to get into an Ivy League college?
In this complete guide to Ivy League eligibility, we’ll discuss everything from basic Ivy League admissions requirements to what makes a student stand out so you can learn exactly how to get into an Ivy League school.
What Is the Ivy League?
The term “Ivy League” is often used as a catch all for top US universities, but it actually refers to a specific set of eight schools in the northeast that make up a collegiate athletic conference:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- Princeton University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
All eight of the Ivy League colleges are great schools, but they aren’t necessarily the best in the US. They’re grouped together based not on their quality but on their shared history and geographic proximity.
Ivy League colleges are known for their world-class academic courses, exceptional faculty, and desirable internship and networking opportunities. Because of this legacy of excellence, Ivy League colleges abide by notoriously rigorous admissions standards. We’ll cover what Ivy League schools are looking for in admissions next.
Knowing what Ivy League schools like Harvard look for in incoming students can help you create a great application!
Ivy League Admissions: What Are They Looking For?
Despite being frequently referred to as a collective, Ivy League schools don’t make decisions as a group — each one is its own entity. As such, there’s no one set of criteria that defines Ivy League eligibility.
That being said, Ivy League admissions do follow the same trends as other top US universities. These schools are all looking for exceptional applicants, people they believe will succeed not just on campus but after they graduate.
Ivy League schools will decide if you’re the right fit for their school based on one thing: your college application materials. Your application is your one chance to show Ivy League admissions that you have what it takes to make valuable contributions to their school and the world.
In general, Ivy League schools are looking for students who have made a deep impact, including showing leadership, in an area they’re passionate about. That means exhibiting a pattern of consistent involvement in a particular activity, subject, or issue, like orchestra, advanced math, or climate activism.
But Ivies want to see more than just consistent involvement in an activity. They want to see that you’ve pushed yourself to become the absolute best you can be in that area. That could mean competing in and winning every orchestra competition your school is invited to, leading your team to a math olympiad championship, or creating your school’s first climate activism club.
In addition to being excellent in every way, your application needs to show Ivy League admissions that you’re prepared to contribute to the culture of their community. Your essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars should reflect the core values of the Ivy you’re applying to. This shows the admissions team that you will support and contribute to your school community, not just your personal goals and dreams.
At the end of the day, Ivies want to admit students who will go on to do great things. They’ll decide if you’re that kind of person based on the great things you’ve already done, which you’ll share with them in your college application.
If you want to know how to get into Ivy League colleges, keep reading. We’ll cover the requirements for admission to the Ivies next. 
Ivy League Requirements
There are no major differences between what you need to get into an Ivy League school and what you need to get into another top college like Stanford or MIT, though there is some variation between specific schools and programs.
For example, the requirements for UPenn’s nursing program are going to be more similar to those of another top nursing program like Duke’s than to the requirements of a liberal arts focused Ivy like Dartmouth.
Overall, however, all top schools, including the Ivies, are looking for the same general qualities and achievements in applicants. Let’s go over the different parts of your application and what schools look for in each.
Stellar Grades in Challenging Courses
Thousands of students with perfect or near-perfect grades apply to Ivy League schools every year. To boost your chances of getting in, you need amazing grades in the most challenging classes your high school offers.
Whether your school offers AP courses, International Baccalaureate (IB), or other advanced coursework programs, these are the kinds of courses Ivy League schools want to see you taking and excelling in. Classes at the Ivies are academically rigorous. If you excel in challenging high school classes, you’ll show Ivy Leagues schools that you know how to work hard and succeed in the kinds of classes you’ll take at their school.
Stand-Out Test Scores
Ivy League students have top test scores on the SAT and ACT. Most students who are accepted into these schools score at or near the 99th percentile on their exams.
The SAT and ACT are difficult, tricky exams. Earning top scores on these tests proves that you mastered the core topics covered in high school course work. Acing the SAT or ACT also shows that you put in the time and effort required to prepare a successful exam strategy, which is an important quality for an Ivy League student to have.
Great letters of recommendation can make a big difference!
Letters of Recommendation from People Who Really Know You
Letters of recommendation are your chance to let your teachers and mentors speak directly about your potential. Getting recommendation letters that highlight your specific strengths and achievements are a key part of how to get into an Ivy League school.
In order to get letters that enhance your applications, you’ll want to ask recommenders who know you well and are firsthand witnesses to your biggest strengths as a student. Ask a teacher, coach, or advisor for a class or activity that you’ve dedicated your best time and effort to.
When you ask them to write your letters, communicate clearly about your college goals and how your performance in their class or activity relates to that. This will help them write letters that bring your potential to life and show admissions teams that you’ve made a positive impact on your school community.
Meaningful Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars–the activities that you do outside of class–play a big role in showcasing your Ivy League eligibility to admissions officers. Unlike academic classes, extracurriculars are optional, which means the ones you choose tell Ivy League schools a lot about what you’re passionate about and what you value.
What’s important when it comes to extracurricular is committing to something and staying committed. Colleges don’t want to see you starting then quitting several different activities. They want to see you sticking with activities you truly care about and growing your skills and leadership in those areas over time. This shows that you’ll bring the same dedication and commitment to the activities you choose to participate in during college.
Essays That Show Who You Are
Every Ivy League school requires applicants to write one or more admissions essays. These essays are your one big opportunity to fill in details about who you are and what you have to offer that aren’t included anywhere else in your application.
When you prepare to write your admissions essays, plan to tell a meaningful story about an experience, achievement, idea, or goal that makes you unique. Include specific, engaging details that draw the admissions team into your story and make them want to learn more about you.
At the end of the day, your essays are the part of your application where you get to persuade the admissions team that you’re the perfect fit for their school. That’s why you want to plan ahead, write multiple drafts, and make every word count!
These tips can help make your application a slam dunk.
4 Top Tips to Make Your Application Stand Out
When it comes to how to get into an Ivy League school, there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of getting accepted. Check out four tips for meeting Ivy League eligibility requirements in your college applications below.
Tip 1: Develop a Spike
A mistake that many students make when thinking about how to get into an Ivy League school is believing they need to be well-rounded. That’s actually the opposite of what the Ivies are looking for. Instead, Ivy League schools want you to give your all in one main area, which is called a spike approach.
A spike approach is when you go deep in one main area that interests you and work as hard as you can to excel. The good news is that your spike approach is your choice. It doesn’t have to be quantum mechanics or advanced calculus! If you want to be a programmer, create your own app. If you want to be a concert pianist, write your own music. There isn’t a limit to what your spike approach can be as long as you’re willing to push yourself and try big things.
Now, that doesn’t mean you should skip out on an activity that you’re passionate about just because you aren’t sure how it fits into your spike approach. Instead, dedicate time to figuring out ways to connect the things you’re passionate about. This shows Ivy League schools that you’re creative, open-minded, and determined to solve problems in unique ways—all things that people who make a difference in the world are capable of.
Tip 2: Show Impact
To demonstrate your Ivy League eligibility, you also need to make an impact in your spike approach area. That means going above and beyond just participating to achieve top performance or leadership status–or both!
The good news is that you can show impact in any activity you participate in. If you participate in mathletes, aim to become team captain and lead your team to a national championship. If you’re in student council, run for president and work to get an unjust school policy changed. In your Ivy League applications, these major achievements will be the stories that make you stand out from other applicants who didn’t go the extra mile.
Tip 3: Be Genuine
Every aspect of your Ivy League applications should be totally genuine.
As you write your essays, don’t make easy-to-avoid mistakes like grandiosity, false humility, or outright dishonesty about your achievements and goals. Instead, focus on being truthful and transparent about what you value, what you aim to achieve, and how you hope to contribute to an Ivy League community. Admissions committees can tell the difference between authenticity and tactics applicants may use to make themselves seem more appealing. As a bonus, when you’re genuine in your application, you improve your chances of getting accepted to a school where you’re most likely to thrive.
Tip 4: Make the Most of Your Opportunities
You get four years of high school to explore your interests and make an impact. That means you need to take advantage of every opportunity you get to excel.
Making the most of your opportunities takes planning and hard work. It means studying hard before every exam, practicing before every competition, and going out for leadership positions in your extracurricular activities. Opportunities are built into the high school experience. They’re just waiting for you to take initiative and reap the rewards!
Wondering which Ivy League schools are best? Check out our complete list of Ivy League rankingks.
Not sure how to create a great spike? Our rundown of how to get into Harvard (from a Harvard alum!) will get you started.
If you want to get into an Ivy League school, you'll need great test scores. Here's a breakdown of the scores you'll need for your favorite Ivy League.
