To gain acceptance into an Ivy League school, students should submit well-rounded applications that exhibit excellence both in academics and extracurricular activities. Most Ivy League schools evaluate students on their Academic Index, a numerical formula that includes a student's GPA, class rank and SAT or ACT scores. The higher your AI, the better your acceptance chances into the Ivies. Other factors include your personal statement and extracurricular activities.
Academic Excellence
Arming yourself with a 3.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale is one key to gaining acceptance into Princeton, for example. Additionally, you should rank in the top 10 to 15 percent of your graduating class and excel in academically challenging classes to get into Harvard. Finally, if you score less than a 2200 on the SAT, you may reduce your chances of gaining acceptance into an Ivy League school.
Exceptional Essays and Extracurricular Activities
Ivy League admission counselors look for qualities that make a student stand out, so when writing your personal statement, seek ways to show you are exceptional. Since most Ivy League applicants are members of the Beta Club or the National Honor Society, focusing solely on such activities will not impress admissions counselors. Instead, discuss activities that you are both passionate about and committed to. Further, provide specific examples to show your consistent dedication to those activities, not just perfunctory participation. For example, spending one weekend building a home for Habitat for Humanity is not as impressive as spending one weekend each month throughout your high school career volunteering for a specific organization.
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Writer Bio
Janet Rutherford began her writing career in 2006. She served as an English teacher and education consultant for 15 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English education from Rust College and a Master of Education in educational leadership from the University of Mississippi.