Ivy League Sister Schools?

Hey everyone, I heard about Ivy League 'sister schools' and I'm curious about how they're related to the Ivies. Can anyone give me more info on this concept? Thanks in advance!

Hey! The term "sister schools" typically refers to the Seven Sisters colleges, which are historically women's colleges in the northeastern United States. They were founded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to offer women a rigorous education comparable to that of their Ivy League counterparts, which were predominantly all-male at the time. The Seven Sisters colleges are:

1. Barnard College

2. Bryn Mawr College

3. Mount Holyoke College

4. Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University)

5. Smith College

6. Vassar College (now coeducational)

7. Wellesley College

These institutions have long-standing connections with nearby Ivy League schools. For example, Barnard College is affiliated with Columbia University in New York City, which grants Barnard students access to various resources, such as classes, libraries, and joint programs on a shared campus.

While all of the Seven Sisters colleges except for Radcliffe (merged with Harvard) have maintained their institutional independence, they continue to share close relationships like cross-registration programs with nearby Ivy League schools or other prestigious institutions. These colleges emphasize strong academics, close-knit communities, and often a commitment to women's education and empowerment.

So, in short, the concept of "sister schools" refers to a group of historically women's colleges that were founded to provide opportunities for women comparable to those available at all-male Ivy League schools. They are not formally part of the Ivy League but share similar academic rigor, prestige, and connections with those institutions.