Easiest and hardest Ivy league schools - 21K School United States (2024)

Admission to Ivy League universities is famously competitive. These universities are highly selective, with an average acceptance rate of only 7%.

One has to choose to count themselves among the Ivy League alums, along with Jeff Bezos, Rashida Jones, and Warren Buffet. The Ivy League schools are among the most challenging to enter as students from across the world seek admission to different courses at these institutions.

The Easiest Ivy League schools to get into

1. Cornell University

Cornell is the easiest and youngest Ivy League school. It was established in 1865 and is situated in Ithaca, New York. Out of 49,114 candidates, Cornell accepted 5,330, for an admission percentage of around 10.9%. This acceptance rate is more than twice as high as the rates for our top two universities, Harvard and Columbia, and as a result, it offers prospective students the best chance of getting accepted.

2. Dartmouth University

The second most accessible Ivy League school to get into isDartmouth, established in 1769 and based in Hanover, New Hampshire. Dartmouth admitted 1,876 applicants out of 23,650, the lowest number among the eight Ivy League schools, for an acceptable percentage of 7.9%. If one chooses Dartmouth, the fewer candidates overall may give them an advantage.

3. Brown University

The third most accessible Ivy League school on the list is Brown, established in 1764 and situated in Providence, Rhode Island. With a 6.6%acceptance rate, Brown admits 2% more candidates than Harvard, which is the most challenging school to get into. Out of 38,674 applicants, that equates to around 2,552 admissions. Although Brown may accept more applicants than non-Ivy League schools, they maintain a rigorous standard.

4. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania, which Benjamin Franklin founded in 1740, expertly balances its long history with a spirit of innovation. It is the location of the oldest medical school in the US and the Wharton School, the first collegial business school in the world. 3,304 applicants were admitted by theUniversity of Pennsylvania, with a 6.0 % acceptance rate.

The Hardest Ivy League schools to get into

1. Harvard University

The most challenging Ivy League school to get into is Harvard, established in 1636 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According toHarvard Admissions, only 2,008 out of 43,330 candidates were accepted to the college. These figures translate into an acceptance rate of 4.6%. In addition, most admitted students received test scores between 1470 and 1570, corresponding to the 25th and 75th percentiles.

2. Columbia University

Columbia University is the second hardest university, established in 1754 and based in New York, New York. According toColumbia University Admissions, only 2,247 people were admitted to the college out of 42,569 applicants. That amounts to a 5.3% acceptance rate in actuality.

3. Princeton University

The next most challenging Ivy League school to get into was founded in 1746 and is located in Princeton, New Jersey. According to their admission records, only 1,896 of the 32,804 applicants were accepted to the college. This results in an acceptance rate of roughly 5.8%.

4. Yale University

Since its inception in 1701, Yale has been one of the top higher education institutions in the United States. With more than 800 scientific, math, and engineering facilities, Yale is a landmark for a diverse range of academics.Yale Universityadmitted6,494 students, with 4.6% of all applicants.

What can one do to increase their chances of attending an Ivy League School?

• Observe the minimum requirements: Students should consider meeting the minimum application requirements as it is one of the best ways to improve the chances of getting accepted. Students must outperform these minimum requirements in a perfect world and crush all other applications.

• Apply early: Students should consider applying to the early decision or action windows if they are focused on attending a specific Ivy League institution. Applying early demonstrates to institutions that students are sincere in their desire to attend college.

• Express your desire to attend the school: The Ivy Leagues and other highly selective universities want to know that applicants are more than merely backup plans. Therefore, it’s crucial to demonstrate sincere excitement and a willingness to join.

Conclusion

Choosing the right college for oneself is difficult enough. Even more difficult conditions arise if a student decides to attend an Ivy League university. For a position in these elite universities, one will be up against the best brains. The likelihood of admission to an Ivy League school of one’s dreams is tiny, but with the appropriate knowledge, students can increase their chances of getting admitted.