Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

The biggest college rivalries?

Hey, just out of curiosity. What are the most famous college rivalries? Whether in sports, academics, or anything else?

a year ago

College rivalries can have a long-standing history and oftentimes these rivalries stem from athletics but sometimes, they transcend into other areas including academics and campus culture. Here's a short list of some notable ones:

1. Harvard University vs. Yale University: Arguably one of the most famous rivalries, the competition between Harvard and Yale spans multiple realms but is most visible in their annual football game known as "The Game." These schools are also known to compete intensely in academics given their Ivy League statuses.

2. University of Michigan vs. Ohio State University: This rivalry is often attributed to their football teams, with their annual game (also known as "The Game") being one of the most-watched college football games each year. Their rivalry spills over into other sports and activities as well.

3. Stanford University vs. University of California, Berkeley: Known as the "Big Game," Stanford and Berkeley's rivalry extends into both athletics and academics, as they're both top-tier research institutions in northern California.

4. Duke University vs. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: This rivalry is most notable in basketball, with both schools having incredibly successful programs. The two campuses are just a few miles apart, which heightens the intensity of their competition.

5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) vs. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): This rivalry tends to be more academic than athletic, given both schools' focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

While rivalries can breed competition, they also foster a sense of community, tradition, and camaraderie amongst students and alumni. Many institutions host special events leading up to the big games, so that period is often an exciting time on campus.

Hope you find this information helpful!

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.