Hey everyone. Seeking some advice here! I'm really motivated to apply to Ivy Leagues colleges, but I'm not sure about the specifics of the academic requirements and extra-curricular expectations. Could anyone breakdown what standardized test scores, GPA, course rigor and experiences outside school they're typically looking for?
Sure, I'd be happy to clarify that for you! When it comes to Ivy League institutions, the admission requirements tend to be quite rigorous.
In terms of GPA, at most Ivies, the majority of incoming freshmen usually have unweighted GPAs of 3.9 or higher, placing them in the top few percentages of their high school class. However, keep in mind that your high school context matters too, so if your school doesn’t offer honors or AP classes, admissions officers will understand and mainly consider how well you performed given the resources available to you.
The Ivy Leagues also value course rigor highly and prefer students who are challenging themselves. Taking a rigorous course load reflects your academic curiosity, drive, and ability to handle challenging coursework. Ideally, you should be taking the most challenging course load available at your school.
As for standardized tests, for the 2024-2025 application cycle, some Ivy Leagues like Harvard, Dartmouth, Brown and Yale now require all applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. For these schools, most admitted students tend to fall in the top 1-5% of SAT or ACT test-takers, which translates roughly to an SAT score of 1510+ or an ACT composite score of 33+.
Remember that extracurricular involvement is another crucial factor. Most successful applicants have 8-10 total extracurriculars, but quality is more significant than quantity, and they’re highly involved in a few. Ivy Leagues consider activities that show exceptional achievement or leadership at the national or international level (Tier 1) very impactful, but also appreciate extensive involvement and achievements at school or local level. They want students with a highly developed specialty, or "spike," as it indicates potential for future success (which reflects positively on the college).
While these are general guidelines, all applicants are evaluated holistically, so keep in mind that there's no "guaranteed" profile for admission. A strong application will combine high academic achievement with impressive extracurriculars, an engaging personal essay and supportive letters of recommendation. Remember to express your unique identity and experiences in your application to set yourself apart!
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