At Uni, Ivy Leagues divide the school into two camps. The first hate everything about them: they're elite, they're impossible to get into, they're for rich kids, people who go there are miserable. The second obsess over them: to them, it's Ivy Leagues or no future. Today, I want to take a stand and say BOTH mentalities are unhealthy for Uni kids. We know better than to look at anything as black and white. The world is painted with shades of gray, including the Ivy Leagues.
The "Original" Ivy League schools are consisted of:
Harvard University, Brown University, Yale University, Princeton University, Dartmouth University, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, and Columbia University.
Everyone knows those schools I just listed. It's easy to accuse those schools for pumping themselves up, but there are actually a multitude of reasons why those schools are famous:
1) They are OLD. Seven of the eight schools were founded during the colonial period of the United States. Yep, we're talking 1776, signing of the declaration here and all. So, unlike other schools, the Ivy Leagues have a very long and distinguished history, as well as time to create strong programs with exceptional teaching modules.
2) Because the schools are now well-oiled machines in the way, they attract some of the best professors and researchers.
3)Because they have been here for so long, they are entrenched into the American system. Potential employers will instantly recognize those schools as great institutions and thus feed the cycle.
Now, I want to take a moment and say that not all old things are great, there are great teachers/researchers at other schools, and employers don't hire exclusively Ivy League (most of America would be unemployed if that was true). Again, shades of gray.
A big misconception about the Ivy Leagues is that those schools are for rich kids. Aka, the common person can't afford to go. However, going to an Ivy League school can be cost effective. For example...
Princeton covers 100% of every student's demonstrated need. In 2001, they implemented a no-loan policy.
If your family's income is under $60,000, at Princeton their average grant is $48,600--that covers all of tuition, room, and board. All of it.
If your family makes between $120,000-140,000, the average grant is $34,700--that covers 95% of tuition.
So, these schools actually offer amazing aid. Many low income and middle class students are filling up the classes at these schools because of how much money an average student can get in financial aid.
Again, we want to keep these schools in perspective. The positives (financial aid, great opportunities, amazing education) are great, but there are negatives as well.
What does Harvard, Princeton, and Yale have in common besides being Ivy League? Their acceptance rates are all under 10%. So we begin exploring the issues of the Ivy League schools.
All of these schools are famous for stingy acceptance rates. Part of the problem is the number of applicants. For example, at Yale last year, 25, 869 students applied for the freshman class. 1, 334 were accepted. These acceptance rates are low because so may kids apply, and there is only so many spots. The results however, are thousands of students, staring down at impossibly thin envelopes, knowing they didn't get in. For some, this is crushing. The two main reasons for this are:
1) All rejection sucks. Because of the low acceptance rates, you can be like my friend Wally http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,969889-1,00.html and get six rejections, all from the Ivies. This can batter at your confidence
2) For some families, getting into an Ivy is a sign of success, a badge of honor. Most Uni parents like to brag about what their child has accomplished. Getting into an Ivy League is an ultimate brag for some parents, because the names will be instantly recognized and oohed over. Not getting is like failing at any hope for success.
Some kids, especially Uni kids, pin all their hopes on Ivy Leagues. It has been hard, watching friends pin their hopes on these schools, only to see them get waitlisted or even denied. I don't believe Uni kids will, or should, give up on applying to the Ivy Leagues. For example, four kids in the class of 2010 went to Princeton. Two went to Cornell. Uni students do get into Ivies, just not all of them, always.
If you decide to apply to an Ivy League school (or multiple) keep these tips in mind:
1) Don't apply to only Ivy League schools. There are plenty of schools in the nation where you can get an Ivy-level education with higher acceptance rates. Besides, you don't want to go 0 for 8 (worst case scenario) and have to deal with not getting anywhere
2) As you apply, think about YOUR strengths and weaknesses, what YOU like to learn, what volunteerism YOU have done, etc. Remember all the wonderful things about you as you work on the applications, thus allowing your best self to shine.
3) Figure out why you want to apply to an Ivy League school. If it's because it's an Ivy League, then you shouldn't be applying to the school. No matter WHERE you apply, you have to know why you want to go. Why would you be happy at Yale? There are a lot of great things about Yale, but if you don't know about them, then what's the use of applying? Ivy League doesn't automatically equal success or happiness.
I only have control over my own feelings and self. There will still be students applying to Ivy Leagues because their parents expect nothing less. There will still be students who apply because they expect nothing less. There will still be students who scoff at the Ivy Leagues for being elite crap. However, I hope this blog gives some of you perspective. Some people go to Ivy Leagues and hate it. Some go and love it. The difference lies in the individual students and the things they need and want to be happy.
Good luck with those Ivies, if you're interested!
Celinda :]
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