This article cover a detailed description of Ivy League Schools’ history, ranking plus admission process, and a list of Easiest Ivy League Schools to Get Into.
As you plan for your future you might be wondering “What is the easiest Ivy League school to get into?” Graduating from any of these prestigious colleges can give you a competitive edge in the job market and establish your reputation as an accomplished scholar.
The eight schools of the Ivy League are some of the most hallowed institutions in the United States, counting presidents, Nobel Prize winners, founders, and CEOs among their alumni. Because of this, the best and brightest minds from around the world compete for admission into the Ivy League.
What are Ivy League Schools?
The eight colleges of the Ivy League were originally gathered together as an athletic conference and are noted for including some of the United States’ oldest, most well-known, and well-respected universities in the northeast.
Despite the fact that these schools have histories extending back hundreds of years, the Ivy League was founded in 1954.
Despite its sporting roots, the Ivy League is now known for its scholars rather than its athletes, as the entrance to these universities is extremely competitive.
Seven of the eight schools existed prior to George Washington’s presidency, though the term “Ivy League” was not coined until 1954 when the NCAA athletic conference for Division I was formed.
Ivy League schools are considered “the most sought-after institutions of higher learning in the country and around the world” because of their academics, social prestige, and ultra-selective admissions process. – According to U.S. News & World Report.
The League has eight member colleges: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.
Getting an acceptance letter from any of these schools is truly a great achievement.
List of Ivy League Schools and Their Acceptance Rates 2022
The Ivy League schools are listed below, along with some basic information about each.
| School Name | Location | Acceptance Rate | Undergraduate Enrollment |
| Cornell University | Ithaca, New York | 10.6% | 15,043 |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover, New Hampshire | 7.9% | 4,417 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 7.7% | 6,311 |
| Brown University | Providence, Rhode Island | 6.6% | 6,752 |
| Yale University | New Haven, Connecticut | 6.3% | 5,964 |
| Princeton University | Princeton, New Jersey | 5.7% | 5,267 |
| Columbia University | New York, New York | 5.2% | 9,001 |
| Harvard University | Cambridge, Massachusetts | 5.1% | 6,699 |
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How was the Ivy League formed?
Despite being known for their high caliber of academics and tough admission standards, the Ivy League category is technically a collegiate athletic conference to which these eight private schools belong.
The term “Ivy League” came about in 1954, when the NCAA athletic conference for Division I was formed.
At the time, the elitism of these schools was really due to their prestige in the realm of sports like basketball.
Although the term “Ivy League” was not created until the 1950s, many of these schools have existed for a very long time.
For instance, as far back as 1636, John Harvard became the first benefactor of Harvard University. This school is located in the Boston, Massachusetts, area.
Yale University on the other hand was formed in 1702 by a benefactor by the name of Elihu Yale. Yale is located in the state of Connecticut in the town of New Haven.
In 1746, the New Jersey School of Princeton was founded and was originally simply named the College of New Jersey.
The fourth-oldest university in America is the University of Pennsylvania.
It was founded in 1740 by famous founding father Benjamin Franklin.
Brown University, founded in 1746, is located in Providence, Rhode Island.
The smallest Ivy League school, Dartmouth, was established in 1769 in Hanover, New Hampshire.
It received a large endowment of several billion dollars.
In 1754, Columbia University began thanks to King George II of England.
It is located in New York City.
And finally, Cornell University got its start in 1865 thanks to two benefactors named Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White.
This school is located in Ithaca, New York.
How Ivy League schools are ranked
Academic standings
Every school has different criteria for what makes them the best Ivy League schools, so it’s important to look at the rankings of each one.
These rankings are made by looking at how well they do on standardized tests and if their students graduate or not.
The Ivies who have high scores in both categories will be better ranked than those who only excel in one or the other.
Career earnings
These rankings are also based on how much money students make after graduation, specifically what field they go into and whether their employers think these graduates will be successful.
This is often used as a measure of whether the school has been preparing its students well enough to enter the job market with skills essential to a successful career.
What makes Ivy League Schools great?
The best Ivy League schools have the most competitive admission rates and the highest ranking in terms of academics.
They have students who go on to be very successful, earn six-figure salaries post-graduation for their chosen field, and they send graduates into positions that would allow them to make the best money possible.
What is unique about Ivy League schools?
The best Ivy League schools are those that have a different curriculum for each student.
They’re able to focus on what’s going to work better for the individual by offering courses tailored to their strengths and weaknesses rather than making everyone take the same classes.
What kind of students do Ivy League schools want to admit and why?
The Ivy League is known for being very selective in its admission process.
As a result, not every high school student can graduate to gain admission into the Ivy League.
Typically, applicants who have been admitted to Ivy League colleges boast excellent grades in academics (with a focus on certain subjects).
In addition, they have a track record of meaningful involvement in extracurricular activities, leadership skills, and well-crafted essays.
So, the kind of students Ivy League wants to admit are;
- Students who are going to accomplish world-changing things.
- Students who are going to contribute positively to their communities while in college and help other students accomplish great things as well.
Therefore, for every student who enters one of the Ivy League, the school hopes that he or she will go on to change the world.
But changing the world can mean a lot of different things.
For instance, a student might go on to start the next huge company.
Or probably join a nonprofit and manage a large global health initiative.
It could also mean writing a novel that wins the Pulitzer Prize.
Or might even “just” become a great parent to children who will then also go on to do great things.
The goal is to make the world a better place for everyone through meaningful human contributions.
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Ivy League School’s Admission Process
More than a keen interest in an extracurricular activity is required to gain admission to an Ivy League school.
Selection committees analyze thousands of student applicants with perfect SAT scores, high GPAs, and several AP courses.
You must set yourself apart from the crowd. Take a holistic strategy to your Ivy League application, emphasizing your skills throughout to demonstrate that you are not one-dimensional.
Your grades, exam scores, letters of recommendation, and essays should be used to supplement your current and future professional goals.
Ivy League admissions committees, for example, look at your high school courses to see if they challenged, inspired, or encouraged you to learn more.
They might even prefer a B in a difficult subject over an A in a simple one.
They like your decision to pursue leadership positions, as well as the fact that your professors recognized your intelligent and unique viewpoint in their classes.
Strong test scores are still vital, but so are your essays and extracurricular activities. The selection committee wants to see you come alive on paper.
When you approach your college application holistically, you show that you are a relatable person who is ambitious, has faced and conquered challenges, and is eager to leave a positive impression on the world.
The Best Ivy League Schools Rankings 2021-2022
1. Harvard University
The first school on the list is Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this Ivy League school has a lot to offer its students.
It’s ranked number one for academic standing and ranks second out of all schools regarding career earnings potential.
Harvard’s endowment size is $38.0 billion, which makes it the wealthiest school on this list by far. They also have an undergraduate enrollment of 6655 students (the second largest on our list).
Harvard does a great job at making sure that its faculty and student populations are diverse- they’ve even expressed interest in increasing diversity among its students in the future.
Despite all of those positives, Harvard is not without its flaws. The cost of attending this prestigious school can be upwards of $70,000 a year (when you factor in costs like room and board).
That means that roughly 84% of students have to take out student loans to cover their tuition expenses- which could mean that they end up paying upwards of $50,000 over the course of their four years at school before they even find a job.
Harvard also has an undergraduate enrollment that is quite small- less than 6700 students, which can make it difficult for students to find the community they were expecting.
2. Yale University
The second school on our list is Yale University. Located in New Haven, Connecticut, this Ivy League School has a lot to offer its students.
Like Harvard, they are ranked number one for academic standing and rank third out of all schools in terms of career earnings potential (not far behind from the top spot).
This prestigious Ivy League university also has a sizeable endowment size of $29.0 billion, which ranks them as the second wealthiest school on our list.
Yale has an undergraduate enrollment of around 6092 students- making it one of the largest schools in this prestigious ranking (behind Harvard).
Despite all of these positives, Yale does have their weaknesses too. They are ranked number two out of all schools in terms of the cost to attend- which can be upwards of $68,000 a year.
That means roughly 77% of students have to take out student loans to cover their tuition expenses.
Yale also has a lower acceptance rate than many other top schools- with less than 6.1% of applicants being accepted into this school.
In conclusion, Yale University is an Ivy League school with a lot to offer its students, but it also comes at a high cost for those who want to attend.
It should be noted that there are some scholarships available for those who want to attend this prestigious Ivy League school.
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3. Princeton University
The third school on our list is Princeton University. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, this Ivy League School has a lot to offer its students. They are ranked number one for academic standing and rank fourth out of all schools in terms of career earnings potential (just behind Yale).
This prestigious Ivy League university also has an endowment size that ranks at $25.9 billion, which ranks them as the third wealthiest school on our list- not far behind from number two.
Princeton has an undergraduate enrollment of around 5422 students (which makes it one of the smaller schools in this prestigious ranking).
However, it should be noted that Princeton strives to make sure that they have a diverse student population, which includes faculty and students.
Princeton has a lower acceptance rate than many of the other top schools, with around 5.8% of applicants being accepted into this school. It should also be noted that there are some scholarships available for those who want to attend this prestigious Ivy League school.
The only real downside to this Ivy League school is that it has a higher cost of attendance than many other schools.
They are ranked number three out of all schools in terms of the cost to attend- which can be upwards of $73,000 a year with room and board included (which means there’s no need for student loans).
That means that roughly 81% of students have to take out student loans to cover their tuition expenses- which could mean that they end up paying upwards of $60,000 over the course of their four years at school before they even find a job.
Princeton does offer some scholarships for those who want to attend this prestigious Ivy League school (but it should be noted that they are not as plentiful or as large in comparison to scholarships at other schools we have looked at on this list).
In conclusion, Princeton University is an Ivy League school with a lot to offer its students, but it also comes with the highest cost of attendance.
So if you’re looking for an Ivy League school, then make sure you factor in the expense of attending Princeton before you make your decision.
4. Brown University
Brown University is the fourth school on our list. It’s located in Providence, Rhode Island.
This school is ranked number one for academic reputation and ranks sixth out of all schools in career earnings potential. Brown also has an endowment size that ranks at $3.8 Billion.
Brown’s undergraduate enrollment is around 7160 students- making it one of the smaller schools in this ranking.
It should be noted, however, that Brown strives to make sure they have a diverse student population- with faculty and students making up their
Brown also has an acceptance rate of around 16%, which is lower than many other top Ivy League schools (although still quite high).
When it comes to scholarships for Brown, it should be noted that they have some but not as many or as large in comparison to the other schools we have looked at.
In conclusion, Brown is an Ivy League school with a lot to offer its students, but they are not as well known for having the best career opportunities.
So if you’re looking for an Ivy League school that will give you some of the best chances in terms of your future success, then make sure you factor this into your decision- especially when it comes to the scholarship opportunities.
5. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is the fifth school on our list. It’s located in Philadelphia, PA, and it has an undergraduate enrollment that ranks at about 10,019 students- making it one of the larger schools in this ranking.
Penn also has a lower acceptance rate than many if not all top Ivy League schools (with only 7.7% being accepted into this school).
Penn also has a higher cost of attendance, just like other Ivy League schools. Scholarships are available for those who want to attend this prestigious school- but it should be noted that they are not as plentiful or as large in comparison to the other schools we looked at on this list (especially when you compare them with Princeton).
Penn is the only Ivy League school on this list to offer a Pre-Law major (which means they also have one of the best law schools in America).
In conclusion, Penn is an Ivy League school with a lot to offer its students, but it has fewer scholarship opportunities than many other top Ivy League schools.
So if you’re looking for an Ivy League school that offers the best chances of getting scholarships, then make sure you factor this into your decision- especially when it comes to comparing them with Princeton.
6. Columbia University
Columbia University is the sixth school on our list. It’s located in New York City, NY, and it has an undergraduate enrollment of around 6245 students- making it one of the smaller schools ranked here.
Columbia also has a higher cost of attendance- but they are known for having more large scholarships available to their students.
The cost of attendance may go up to $60,000 a year for tuition- but the average student’s cost will be around $37,500.
Columbia also has an endowment size that ranks at around $10.9 Billion. The endowment is the sum of gifts, grants, and other donations that schools use to fund a variety of programs, including financial aid for low-income families and research projects.
The larger the endowment, the more money there is to support these programs.
As one of the top Ivy League schools in America and also as far as Ivy League Schools go- Columbia has a diverse student population among both faculty and students with opportunities for minority groups and women in STEM fields, which they rank number one school for female undergraduates in STEM.
Columbia University is a good choice for students who are looking to pursue a STEM field at one of the best Ivy League schools in America.
7. Dartmouth College
Seventh on the list is Dartmouth College, which has an undergraduate enrollment of about 4459 students. Dartmouth is one of the smaller schools in this ranking, and it also has a lower acceptance rate (with only 12% being accepted into).
Dartmouth’s tuition for students who live on campus runs at around $53,000- but that does not include room and board costs. The average cost of attendance is about $58,000.
Dartmouth does provide need-based scholarships for those who qualify, and they have a variety of other scholarship opportunities as well that are available to students.
The only downside with Dartmouth College is that there aren’t many career opportunities for their students.
The opportunities there aren’t nearly as diverse compared to some of the Ivy League schools ranked above them on this list (especially when it comes to job placement rates).
Dartmouth ranks at number eight for undergraduate enrollment, which means you have a higher chance of getting accepted if your grades and test scores fall within the average for the school.
The endowment size is around $5.5 billion- which is much smaller than many of the other Ivy League schools on this list.
8. Cornell University
The eighth school on our list is Cornell University. Undergraduate enrollment at this Ivy League school is around 15,043 students- making it one of the larger schools ranked here.
Cornell also has an acceptance rate of about 10%, being among the easiest Ivy school to be accepted into.
The tuition for in-state undergraduate students living on campus runs at about $49,000- but that does not include room and board costs. The average cost of attendance is about $56,500, which might be more.
Cornell provides need-based scholarships for those who qualify, and they have a variety of other scholarship opportunities as well that are available to students.
They also rank number two in terms of the best schools with on-campus jobs (they provide about one out of every six on-campus jobs).
The school has an endowment size of around $7.2 billion- which is about average for all of the Ivy League schools on this list.
Cornell University also has a diverse student population among both faculty and students with opportunities for minority groups.
This Ivy League school also offers need-based scholarships for those who qualify, and they have a variety of other scholarship opportunities.
One of Cornell’s advantages is that it’s one of the cheaper Ivy League schools to get into, so tuition is one less thing to worry about.
One of the disadvantages Cornell has in comparison to other Ivy League schools on this list is that it doesn’t have a large alumni network- which means there aren’t as many opportunities for networking and connections when you graduate from here.
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Easiest Ivy League Schools to Get Into
1) Cornell University
- Acceptance rate (2020): 10.7%
- Number of students who applied in 2022: 51,328
- Average SAT scores: reading and writing 680-750, math 720-790
Cornell was founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White. It’s a public research university located in Ithaca, New York.
Cornell is the easiest Ivy League school to get into, with an acceptance rate of 10.7%. 51,328 students applied to join in 2022, which means that a little over 5.000 were accepted.
2) Dartmouth College
- Acceptance rate (2020): 9.2%
- Number of students who applied in 2022: 22,033 students
- Average SAT scores: reading and writing 710-770, math 730-790
Dartmouth College was founded in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock. It is a private liberal arts college located in Hanover, New Hampshire.
It has a respectable acceptance rate of 9.2%, which means that of 22,033 students who applied, around 2.000 got accepted. That’s a pretty respectable number, but it should be noted that the SAT averages are quite high.
One of Dartmouth’s biggest advantages is its size. With only around 4000 undergraduate students, it’s a much more personal school than some of the other Ivies.
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3) University of Pennsylvania
- Acceptance rate (2020): 9%
- Number of students who applied in 2022: 44,482 students
- Average SAT scores: reading and writing 710-770, math 750-800
UPenn was founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin. It is a private research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
With such an illustrious founder, you’d expect it to rank at the bottom of this list. But luckily, that is not the case. It has a respectable acceptance rate of 9% which is only .2% lower than Dartmouth’s and is a way bigger university. Roughly 4.000 new students will attend UPenn in 2022.
UPenn’s biggest appeal is its location in Philadelphia. The city is home to some of the best hospitals, law schools, and business schools in the country. UPenn also has a great engineering school, with programs in chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.
But with such high competition (the math SAT averages are 750-800), you’ll need high grades and SAT scores to get in.
If you’re looking for a top-notch university located in a great city, UPenn is your best choice.
Strategies to Increase Your Chances of Getting In
Now let’s consider some of the strategies you can implement to strengthen your application and increase your chances of getting into an Ivy League program.
Apply to Early Action/Early Decision Programs
It is easy to say “plan ahead”, but there is a lot of advantage in knowing what school and program you would like to attend in the future. If you are certain about which school you want to enroll in, it might be wise to apply through the Early Action/Early Decision program.
This way, your deadline for application is earlier, but so is your response date. To utilize this opportunity, you must research your school of choice and determine whether you are a good fit for the program to which you’re applying.
Early Action programs give you an early answer as to where you stand in the admissions process.
According to the most recent data, Cornell’s acceptance rate for their early decision program is 22.7%! UPenn’s early decision program admitted 18% of early applicants! Other Ivy League members show similar trends.
The catch is that early decision programs restrict your applications to other universities, i.e. you’re allowed to apply through the early decision program to one school only.
Early decision applicants are contractually bound to attend the school if offered admission.
This is to ensure that you make a commitment to a first-choice school and if admitted, you will definitely enroll and withdraw all the other applications that you submitted.
Get Your Grades Up
Your high school coursework is the biggest evidence of your academic abilities. The single most important document in your application is your high school transcript.
Not only does it tell the admissions committee what kind of grades you received throughout the years, it also demonstrates your drive, dedication, and improvement over time.
Impress the adcoms with a broad range of challenging courses, that you enjoy and find interesting. Try to take courses in different disciplines, including sciences, arts, humanities, and languages.
To increase your chances of success, take courses in disciplines you typically ace but do not forget to complete the necessary requirements for graduation. If you’re struggling with discipline, try to get some help.
You can find a study partner, ask your teacher for help, get a tutor, or design a study plan that would increase your understanding of the content.
Prepare for Standardized Tests
Regarding your test scores, try to plan ahead. Typically, you will write your SAT or ACT tests in the second half of your junior year, i.e. grade 11. Before you begin studying, decide which test you would like to take, the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Testing (ACT).
Although they are accepted by most schools interchangeably, the two exams are different. For example, both exams test your knowledge of high-level high school math, but the ACT has a lot more geometry and trigonometry problems, as well as a larger number of mathematical questions.
The SAT provides students writing the exam with mathematical formulas, while students who write the ACT must memorize the formulas.
The ACT allows calculator use for the entire math section, while the SAT does not allow calculator use for the math section.
SAT does not have a science section, while the ACT does. The best way to learn which test is right for you is to take SAT and ACT practice tests.
Once you take the practice tests, you can decide which test you would actually like to write and start planning your study strategy. Be careful, if you start studying too early, you might forget everything you learn and start to burn out.
However, do not leave studying to the last minute, you need ample time to prepare. You must train your critical reading and thinking skills, grammar, math, and in the case of the ACT exam, scientific knowledge.
The summer before your junior year of high school should be dedicated to rigorous SAT or ACT study.
This is when you should start pushing hard to prepare. Set score targets and work to achieve and surmount them, if possible.
Take practice tests that are available online for free by searching for thon in Google.
Extracurriculars
Without exception, all Ivy League schools emphasize the importance of extracurricular activities, interests, and hobbies in their admissions process. While grades and scores are really the yardstick by which you will be initially measured, your extracurriculars will bring your application to life.
What you do outside of high school walls can help admissions committees understand what kind of person you are.
Your interests and talents must answer this one important question: why would an Ivy League school want you to be a part of its student and campus life?
For example, are you an accomplished athlete or musician? Have you won numerous Spelling Bees or won multiple chemistry Olympiads? Have you participated in plays put on by your school?
Keep in mind that you don’t have to win multiple awards and solve world hunger to fit in at an Ivy League school. Think about what makes you special, what you can bring to the table and what you can offer that others cannot?
What are the activities you love and feel passionate about? These are the activities that help you learn, grow, and make you unique because no one else has the exact same background as you.
These are also the activities through which you impact others, because you love doing them.
Ivy Leagues look for passion and perseverance in whatever extracurricular activity you choose. Beware that adcoms can tell if you picked up an activity in your junior or senior year just to build up your applications.
It takes a long time to cultivate skill and reach great heights, and your dedication will make you stand out in your application.
Being involved in activities outside of high school speaks volumes of your ability to take on responsibility and manage your time effectively.
Your experiences in the wider world help you develop problem-solving skills and communication skills.
College Admissions Essay
Grades, test scores, and extracurriculars create the initial impression of the candidate.
However, you may have guessed that the majority of Ivy League school applicants have outstanding grades, and test scores, and are often involved in similar extracurricular activities – after all, like you they want the chance to attend one of the most prestigious schools in the world.
The admissions essay is often the weak link in the student’s application. Because essay topics are often open to interpretation, many students tend to focus on the same topics, i.e. a challenging test, a sports victory, a memorable trip to our nation’s capital, etc. Imagine reading hundreds of essays that speak of the same experiences?
Rather than playing it safe, take your chance to be unique and unforgettable. Your essay is your chance to be personable and real.
Ivy League admissions websites tell their applicants to write honestly and with heart – take this advice. Seize this opportunity to stand out by avoiding clichés.
Under no circumstances should you turn your admissions essay into a research paper.
The essay is meant to reflect your worldview and how your chosen Ivy League school can help you grow and develop as a human being.
The essay prompts are typically very open-ended, so your essay can be about anything, including climate change, the war in Syria, or your preferred genre of music.
Most importantly, the essay must convey your deep self-reflection and awareness. Do not forget to include a gripping first sentence and a strong introduction to capture the reader’s attention.
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Recommendation letters
Ivy League admissions are aided by strong letters of recommendation.
Recommendation letters aid in the development of your overall application by allowing people in your life to provide their personal and professional perspectives on your academic performance, character, and motivation.
Establish good relationships with teachers, important employees, and leaders of your extracurricular activities if you want to earn positive and convincing references.
Create a convincing application by obtaining strong letters of recommendation from third parties and writing an outstanding essay about your particular extracurricular passion.
Related FAQs
1. Is Cornell the easiest Ivy League school to get into?
While the overall acceptance rate at Cornell makes it the easiest Ivy League school to get into, the acceptance rates vary quite a bit by college. For example, below are the acceptance rates for the eight undergraduate colleges in 2021
2. How can I get into an Ivy League school?
How Can I Increase My Chances of Getting Into an Ivy League School? 1 Take Rigorous Classes and Get Strong Grades#N#It should come as no surprise that a common characteristic shared by… 2 Pursue Quality Extracurriculars#N#In addition to fantastic grades and challenging coursework, you’ll also need… 3 Write Engaging Essays
3. What is the easiest Ivy to get into?
The easiest Ivy to get into based on acceptance rate, Cornell offers over 4,000 courses through its seven undergraduate schools, meaning that students are sure to find a subject of interest to study. Cornell was the first university to offer a degree in journalism and the first to teach modern Far Eastern languages.
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