I came across the term 'Little Ivies' recently. Could someone provide me with a list of these universities, and maybe a bit about why they're referred to as such? I'm curious if they would be a good fit for me. Thanks in advance!
The term "Little Ivies" refers to a selection of highly regarded, smaller colleges in the Northeastern United States. This group includes both liberal arts colleges and a few small universities. Here they are:
1. Amherst College
2. Swarthmore College
3. Middlebury College
4. Williams College
5. Wesleyan University
6. Vassar College
7. Haverford College
8. Bowdoin College
9. Bates College
10. Colby College
11. Hamilton College
12. Smith College
13. Trinity College
14. Tufts University
15. Vassar College
16. Bucknell University
17. Connecticut College
18. Colgate University
19. Lafayette College
20. Union College
21. Connecticut College
These institutions are often called "Little Ivies" because they're considered academically prestigious like their "Ivy League" counterparts, but with significantly smaller undergraduate student bodies. In general, these colleges offer small class sizes with a considerable amount of faculty interaction and mentorship, alongside a strong emphasis on undergraduate teaching. The setting of these institutions is usually rural or suburban. These institutions also often have a significant endowment, which allows many of them to practice needs-blind admissions and/or meet 100% of demonstrated need.
Each school has its unique attributes, so it's essential to research individually to see if they match what you're looking for in a college. Some factors to consider can be academic programs of interest, the student culture, available resources, financial aid policies, and opportunities for research or internships.
Just as with the Ivy League, competition is stiff, and successful applicants typically demonstrate high academic achievement, involvement in extracurricular activities, impactful essays, and strong letters of recommendation.
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