A Guide to Study in Ireland for Indian Students
Tips and Requirements for Students to Get in Ivy League Colleges
Have you ever wondered how amazing it would be if just the name of your college is enough to take you places? Like an institution whose name so powerful that it comes with a huge aura and makes you an important asset wherever you go. This is exactly what you get when you graduate from Ivy League colleges.
Imagine saying you are a Harvard Business School graduate and simply getting into one of the top organisations in the world. Sems like a dream, isn’t it? But you know what? You can make this a reality, and you can study in an Ivy college from India. Wondering what all you need to do? Nothing much, just follow the tips.
In this blog we are going to answer how to get into Ivy League colleges from India, so, without further ado, let’s get to the crucial information.
What are Ivy League Colleges?
Before we start with the requirements and tips to get into Ivy League colleges from India, let’s know what Ivy colleges are.
In simple words, where social networking and extracurricular activities are as crucial as academic excellence, is what an Ivy League school is.
The term Ivy League was given to eight private research universities in the Northeastern United States in 1954. The formation of this league happened in 1933 when the eight institutions participated in an American collegiate athletic conference. A football championship between the eight colleges lead to give them the title of Ivy League colleges and in today’s time, these eight institutes are globally renowned as elite colleges. The combination of high academic excellence, social elitism, and extracurricular activities is the key to get into an Ivy League college.
The eight premium schools that comes under the Ivy League umbrella are;
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Princeton University
- Yale University
Requirements to Get into Ivy League Colleges
It is known to humanity that getting in an abroad university from India is a challenging task. When the chances of getting into a prestigious university abroad is low for Indian students, then the chances of getting into an Ivy League college might be slimmer. However, this is all a myth. If you are excellent in studies and showcase exceptional academic record, then it is not big of a deal for you to get into Ivy colleges from India.
All you need to get into Ivy League colleges from India is to fulfil the below mentioned requirements and boom, you might be the next big name in the world.
- Academic excellence
- English proficiency
- Extracurricular activities and achievements
- Personal essay and statements
- Letter of recommendation
- Successful interviews
- Good financial background
- Demonstrate interest
Tips to Get into Ivy League Colleges
In order to get into an Ivy League school, you simply have to meet the requirements. But as this is something new for you and you are completely clueless about how to get into Ivy League colleges, then here are some helpful tips for you.
Strong Academic Record
As the first requirement is ‘academic excellence’ it is crucial you maintain a strong academic record throughout your education career. The Ivy League schools give chance to students who have the potential to excel in every department and showcase excellent academic results. So, to get into an Ivy school, you must have great grades in rigorous courses. It is crucial for you to aim for high GPA in courses that are academically challenging. Some of these subjects are advanced math, science, chemistry, physics, economics, or literature.
Refine English-language Skills
The next requirement is strong command in English. As all the Ivy colleges are in America, a country with English as its only primary language, to easily communicate there, you need to have great English-language skills. These English language skills are proved through English proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, etc. Furthermore, to showcase your academic readiness to be a part of such elite institution, you also have to take standardised tests like SAT, ACT, or LSAT. Here’s a tip for you to successfully get into an Ivy school. Do your research and know the accepted score in these university. And then with MetaApply test prep you can crack these tests.
Extracurricular Activities and Achievements
The next requirement in the list is ‘extracurricular activities and achievements.’ This is because, the Ivy League colleges look for leadership qualities in students who wants to study in the prestigious institutions. So, as you are aiming to study in an Ivy school, you must have an impressive resume that highlights your extraordinary social life. Your chances of getting into an Ivy school increases if you have national or international level recognition through some sports, debate, volunteering, or arts performance. To represent yourself as a great candidate for an Ivy school, you can also showcase leadership roles such as leading a club, organise a project, or start an impactful initiative. This will really help you impress the admission committee of Ivy League colleges.
Write a Flawless Personal Statement
The next thing you must keep in check is a flawless personal statement. As this is one of the most crucial requirements to get into Ivy League colleges, you cannot take this step for granted. With your admission application, you are required to submit a personal essay. In this essay, you must state who you are, your goals, any challenges you overcome, and why you are interested in studying in an Ivy League school. These essays give you a chance to present yourself in a professional and serious manner in front of the admission committee. Also, if you are planning to apply to every Ivy school, then you must tailor each essay. Customising your essay for each school will reflect your genuine interest in being a part of a college that aligns with your dream.
Have Nice Letters of Recommendation
One of the most common mistakes students make unintentionally is forgetting about letters of recommendation. As this isn’t popularly required in India, this leads for Indian students to overlook the requirement. However, for an Ivy school, a nice letter of recommendation from your teacher will give your application a better push. Ensure the teacher that you select to write you a letter of recommendation know you well and can speak on your intellectual abilities, character, and work ethics. A well-written letter of recommendation from a teacher or from your school counsellor can help the admission committee to understand your academic journey in India a little better.
Prepare for Interview
In the list of admission criteria, one of them is giving a great interview. Many universities abroad take admission interviews of students they believe has capabilities of studying in a rigorous academic environment. Similarly, the prestigious and elite universities, we call Ivy League colleges take interviews of students they think are perfect with for their institutions. The interview can be online or in person, so you might have to travel to the college too. When you give the admission interview, ensure to be confident and authentic. Showcase your dreams and communicate in a professional manner. During the interview, it is best if you be honest, thoughtful, and enthusiastic about the school. One thing you must keep in mind is to practice for the interview a several times to speak flawlessly.
Additional Tips:
Start Early: To get into an Ivy school, you must start preparing early in your high school years. Whether it is academic preparations, research of what you want to study, planning for your admission application, or even preparing for your interview, it is better to start early so that you have ample time to be prepared.
Identify your strengths: For a successful admission in an Ivy college, it is crucial for you to know where you interest lies and what are your strengths. You must know whether you are exceptional in academics, sports, arts, or social causes, this gives you an extra advantage to represent yourself in a better manner.
Visit the schools: If it is possible, then you must visit the Ivy League colleges. This will help you understand the campuses, culture, and which of the Ivy colleges is a better fit for you, aligning with your aims.
Plan for your Ivy League College Admission with MetaApply
The Ivy Leage colleges are the most prestigious and elite academic institutions and graduating from one such school means the foundation of your future is the strongest it can ever be. However, the path to get into an Ivy school is not an easy one. There are challenges at every step and one of them is to get an admission in an Ivy League college. As you must start preparing for such elite institutions from the starting of your educational career, a delay now might take your dream away.
So, if you have made up your mind that you want to study in Ivy League colleges, then you must start preparing today. From academic preparations to monetary arrangements, there is a lot for you to take care of. In this journey, our team of dedicated professionals at MetaApply are there to help you at every step. From offering college and course shortlisting options to English proficiency or standardised TestPrep or even helping you with financial aid, we cater to it all.
Your dream of studying in an Ivy League school will surely come true if you will stay dedicated. So, connect with our professionals today and find your path to Ivy League colleges with MetaApply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though many schools are test-optional, but a strong SAT/ACT score (1400+) can strength your application to get into the Ivy League colleges.
Students who get accepted into Ivy League colleges; they might get a chance to sit for a personal interview. This is because the admission committee wants to ensure they are making the right choice when selecting you.
To get into Ivy League colleges from India one must excel academically, have strong English-language skills, excellent extracurricular achievements, a compelling personal essay, recommendation letters, and sufficient financial aid.