Author
Pushpinder Bhatia
Alumni Said Business School, University of Oxford, UK
Ivy League Admissions Myth and Reality
If you've always wanted to attend one of the eight elite colleges that make up the Ivy League, you undoubtedly already know how difficult it is to get into these schools. So let's look at some well-known myths and realities about the Ivy League.
Myth 1: High scores and grades are sufficient
Students have been raised believing that a perfect test score is key to a good college. Still, because admission to these institutions is so hard, almost everyone displays these academic accomplishments.
Reality: Not only scores but projects also matter
In other words, concentrate on a student's talents and encourage an interest in honing them. However, a better strategy is to strive for excellent numbers and concentrate more on creating a distinctive and interesting subject. For example, suppose a student is interested in engineering rather than focusing on taking additional subjects like English. In that case, Students should devote their extra time and effort to an engineering project or a piece of engineering study.
Myth 2: Demonstrating your dedication towards the betterment of society through volunteer work
Admissions officers at Ivy League colleges appreciate applicants who genuinely care about making the world a better place and have a track record of volunteering in their communities.
Reality: Students are doing it for the sake of getting into college
The idea of community service has been so misused and abused that it is nearly impossible to distinguish between those who are "doing it to get into college" and those who are genuinely interested in community service. Most high schools have numerous chances for community service; for some, it is a requirement to graduate. It has lost its originality because many students list their community service involvement on their applications. The application may contain community service as long as the student is willing to devote several hours to doing so in a fashion that is pertinent to their theme. However, any volunteer work that aims only to serve as material for an application should be avoided.
Myth 3: Only Ivy Leagues Schools offer great benefits
Ivy schools are very well known for their amazing campuses, amazing faculty, and great opportunities, and all of it is true.
Reality: The Benefits of Ivy League Colleges are Also Available on Other Campuses
Beautiful campuses, excellent academic standards, robust alum networks, and other characteristics that make an Ivy League college desirable are not exclusive to Ivy League colleges. So consider what drew you to Yale in the first place. There's a strong chance you may locate it at a different university.
Myth 4: The most exclusive colleges in the country are Ivy League institutions
Getting into Ivy League is tough because of their low admission rates. Ivy League schools are said to be the best, but there are a lot of other schools as well.
Reality: Not only Ivies but other colleges are selective as well
The admission rate at MIT, Caltech, Stanford and Julliard is more selective than the other league members. Ivy schools are well known, but other schools are no less.
Myth 5: Admissions will be aided by participating in a summer programme at a dream school
Thousands of high school kids have attended classes and lectures and lived in dorms in schools across the country for the past few decades. They do these things exactly like college students would. Parents may spend thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars on these programmes, but they are considered worthwhile if it offers their child an advantage when applying to that school in a year or two. Yet, this is predicated on the idea that enrolling in these programmes will facilitate the student's admission. But in reality, they won't.
Reality: Attendance at any other school or programme does not affect a student's eligibility for admission to the stated school. This is due to several factors. First, many of the programmes offered at Ivy League institutions are farmed out to an outside company rather than provided by the Ivy League campus itself. In other words, although the class is offered in a Yale classroom, Yale is not connected to the instructors or the course content; therefore, Yale admissions examiners are unconcerned.
Most students would be better suited using their summer breaks (and all that money) to work on an internship, a research paper, a project, one of the camps mentioned above, or some other form of civic engagement. Almost anyone can visit an Ivy League campus and enrol in classes if they have enough money. Ivy League admissions officers particularly want to see summer interns contribute to their themes, but only some have the discipline and knowledge to do this.
We hope we can bust some myths and put a reality check on most of your Ivy League concerns. For more information and assistance on Ivy Leagues, you can get in touch with our experts at MapMyStudy!