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Unweighted GPA: 3.7
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Ivy League Recommended Reading List?

Hey all, I've always been curious about what admissions officers at Ivy League schools look for in terms of intellectual curiosity. Does anyone have a recommended reading list from any of these schools?

11 months ago

While there isn't an official Ivy League recommended reading list, specific schools or admissions officers may share their favorite books or those that they think demonstrate intellectual curiosity. Reading challenging books and exposing yourself to different genres or subjects can be a great way to show that you're engaged with diverse ideas and thoughts. Here's a list of some books that are often recommended or praised for their intellectual content:

1. "How to Read a Book" by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren - A guide to determining the author's intent and engaging with the text meaningfully.

2. "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - A classic American novel that explores themes of wealth, love, and the American Dream.

3. "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee - A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that addresses racial injustice and moral growth.

4. "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley - A dystopian novel that explores themes of technology, freedom, and control.

5. "1984" by George Orwell - A political novel that explores themes of totalitarianism and surveillance.

6. "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky - A psychological novel exploring the depths of a criminal mind and the nature of redemption.

7. "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen - A classic novel exploring issues of etiquette, class, and marriage in 18th-century England.

8. "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari - A non-fiction book discussing the broad context of human history, culture, and ideas.

9. "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond - A non-fiction book exploring the factors that have allowed some societies to prosper while others have failed.

10. "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho - A fable about following your dreams and listening to your heart.

While the above list is just a selection of engaging books, remember that intellectual curiosity can be demonstrated in many ways, and reading diversely – across different time periods, cultures, and subject matters – is a great place to start. As you read, it's important to not only consume the content but also to think critically about it and engage in conversations with others about the ideas explored within the books. Connecting with your own interests, rather than just following someone else’s, is what will ultimately demonstrate intellectual vitality in your applications and beyond.

11 months ago

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