How to Get into Ivy League Colleges from India?

Studying abroad in a premium university is a dream of every student wishing to pursue higher education in a foreign land. And when shuffling through the list of the best colleges abroad, the top spots are already occupied by Ivy League schools. Now, many Indian students intend to ignore the top colleges in the States because obviously, self-doubt is always there. But what if we tell you, you can get into an Ivy League college? Indeed, the chances might be slim, but they aren’t impossible, because who knows you might be the one with the next big idea to change the picture of the world. So, if you are wondering how to get into Ivy League colleges from India, we are here to help you carve your own path to success.

What is the Ivy League?

Before we explore how you can gain admission to an Ivy League college, let’s first understand what an Ivy League college is. Thousands of universities across the globe offer quality education with excellent research facilities. However, not every university provides the opportunity to connect with a large alumni network that can genuinely help you become a prominent name in the world. An Ivy League college degree can grant you global recognition simply by stating the institution from which you graduated.

Ivy League colleges were established in 1933, but it was in 1954 that the Northeastern colleges in the United States formed a collegiate athletic conference, subsequently becoming known as Ivy League colleges. With their rich traditions and academic rigor, Ivy League universities have become the most prestigious institutions in the world.

Below are the eight colleges that come under the Ivy League universities:

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• University of Pennsylvania
• Princeton University

Now that you know what the Ivy League is and you wish to study in any of these premium colleges, then let’s walk you through the process of getting into an Ivy League school.

Action Plan to Get into an Ivy League College

The thought of studying in a supreme college with a legacy of more than 70 years sounds like a dream to many. However, when it comes to accomplishing this dream, not everyone’s life turns out to be what they show in movies and shows. The great fascination you get after seeing the protagonist studying at Harvard or Yale and then dropping out of college to make a name of their own. The thought of doing the same might feel exciting, but to do that in real life you at least must get into an Ivy League college. To help you get admitted to Ivy League universities, here’s the action plan you must follow to accomplish your goal.

Academic Excellence

To get into an Ivy League college in India, you must excel in your academic records. In order to secure admission to any of the prestigious colleges in the United States, where every student is serious about their career aspirations, you must perform exceptionally well in your academics. As Indian schools follow the CBSE or ICSE curriculum, it is crucial for you to excel in your classes, particularly in subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Literature. This will help you meet the acceptance criteria of Ivy League colleges. These institutions often require a minimum GPA of 4.0, and if you fall short of that, your chances of gaining admission to an Ivy League college from India may diminish.

Standardised Tests

The next step of your action plan is clearing a standardised test to get into your dream Ivy League college. A standardised test is mostly given by students in high school for college admission. The purpose of such exams is to analyse the readiness of students for college curriculum. Some of the common college entrance exams are SAT or ACT. The SAT score should be 1400 out of 1600 and the ACT score should range between 32-35 out of 36 for a successful admission at any Ivy school. As an Indian student, when you are planning to take standardised tests, you must give extra attention to subjects like Math, Science, and Literature. Besides the standardised tests, being an Indian student, it becomes crucial for you to take English proficiency exams to prove your English language skills.

Extracurricular Activities

When you are planning to study in an Ivy League college, one thing that becomes of major benefit besides your academic results is the section covering your extracurricular activities. Foreign colleges, especially the Supreme Eight colleges, pay close attention to the extracurricular activities of every applicant. These colleges have become some of the finest by giving admission to students who are not only exceptional in their academic careers but also have leadership qualities, so you better have a list of extracurricular activities too. Now, one more trick here for students is that they don’t have to participate in various activities a little each but should be a part of a few and must be involved in them completely. Whether it is dance, sports, music, drama, or community service, being the president of a club or captain of a sports team will increase your chances.

Impactful Statement of Purpose

The next stage of your action plan is to write an impactful Statement of Purpose. Now you may wonder what is so different about a Statement of Purpose for an Ivy League college or any other university abroad. Well, the main difference here is on the one hand any other college may focus on your academic achievements and future goals. But it is only the Ivy colleges that focus on experience, learning, leadership qualities, pursuit of long-term goals, and academic precision. So, when you are writing a statement of purpose for an Ivy League school, do remember to keep it customised and authentic along with doing storytelling in a professional tone. Do not forget to mention your experiences, challenges, and aspirations along with your academic achievements. Once done writing your SOP, make ensure to triple-check it and get feedback from experts before submitting the same.

Letters of Recommendation

No matter how many good words you have woven for yourself in your SOP, until and unless your peer is dropping some good words for you, it is a little difficult for you to get admitted to Ivy League colleges. One more thing you should know is that the Ivy League universities ask for two LORs, hence, when you are looking for someone to write you a Letter of Recommendation, do ensure that they were a close witness of your academic journey throughout your school life. This will help them in writing the truth about your academic experience and excellence. Moreover, as you need two LORs, ensure one of them is either from your Science or Math teacher and the other one is from your humanities professor. When expecting a quality LOR, don’t forget to clearly brief your recommenders and do provide them with a list of your accomplishments to personalise their letters.

Make your Ivy League Dream Come True with MetaApply

As the blog comes to an end, one thing we would like to highlight here is, that you cannot start planning for an Ivy League college one year before completing your high school. If you are aiming to pursue higher education in an esteemed college in the States, then it is a must for you to start preparing for it from class 9. One of the major purposes of the Ivy League universities is to prepare tomorrow’s leaders and for that, you have to be a multi-tasker and an exceptional student. Now, seeing the level of academic excellence required to gain admission to Ivy League universities might make some students feel overwhelmed. However, when you have aimed to achieve something exceptional then let MetaApply be your guiding light to accomplish your dream. Connect with our professionals today, so that we can start building a stronger future together.