What's the Deal with Public Ivys?

Hey there, was just wondering what is actually meant by the term 'Public Ivy' and which universities are considered 'Public Ivys'? Please enlighten me, future seniors!

Sure, I'll be glad to shed some light on this.

The term 'Public Ivy' is used to refer to public universities in the United States that are said to provide an Ivy League collegiate experience at a public school price. The term was first coined by Richard Moll in his 1985 book "Public Ivies: A Guide to America's Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities," where he outlined eight schools with the academic rigor and student atmosphere that are similar to those of the Ivy Leagues.

Universities often categorized as 'Public Ivies' include; University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill), University of Florida, University of Michigan (UMich), University of Virginia (UVA), Michigan State University, and The Ohio State University. Do note that the existence of criteria for the designation is a matter of debate. Some lists might also include University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), University of Wisconsin-Madison, or University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign, among others.

These universities have a reputation for academic excellence and rigor on par with the Ivy League, while also providing a diversity of students, programs, and opportunities that are characteristic of public universities. For instance, UC Berkeley is known for its strength in STEM, while UVA excels in liberal arts and humanities.

The term is more so a way to indicate that public universities can indeed provide a top-tier education, and one does not necessarily need to attend an Ivy League to obtain a quality education or achieve significant success in their respective field.