Differences Between Ivy League Schools Explained

Q: What are Ivy League schools known for?

All Ivy League schools share the same characteristics: academic excellence, historical prestige, and selective admissions. Besides that, each school has its own strengths and culture.

ElevatEd
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November 7, 2024

The Ivy League is an elite set of eight private colleges in the northeastern United States, which represents the most excellent academic performance, prestigious past, and selective admissions. Though all these schools share certain common features, each has its specific strengths and culture. So, let's take a look at what makes them different.

IVY League School Comparison

1. History and Prestige

All Ivy League schools were founded between the 17th and 18th centuries, although Harvard is the oldest, dating back to 1636, while Cornell is the newest in 1865. Each of these institutions presents a high level of historical prestige and a strong tradition contributing to their elite status, while Harvard and Princeton more often head the rankings because they have longer histories and have shaped world education.

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2. Academics and Specializations

Each Ivy League school has particular academic strengths and areas that set them apart.

Harvard is famous for its law, business, and medical programs.

Princeton really stands out as a major player in the humanities, the social sciences, and engineering.

Yale, for hundreds of years, has been known for its arts and law schools.

Columbia is known for strong programs in journalism and political science.

UPenn is most often cited for its business school or Wharton.

Dartmouth especially shines with respect to undergraduate teaching and a liberal arts approach.

Brown is known for a pretty loose curriculum but for allowing tremendous independence in what it requires of students.

Cornell is the most diverse in terms of academic offerings, with specialties in agriculture, engineering, and hotel management.

3. Campus and Student Life

Both Harvard and Yale have more of an urban campus experience in Cambridge and New Haven, as you're immersed in city life while still delivering academically.

Princeton and Dartmouth enjoy a more traditional college town, where campus goes into close-knit communities.

Columbia is sandwiched in the middle of New York City that could make a student feel immersed in the energetic, urban way of life.

Cornell offers an expansive rural campus; this contributes to scenery in upstate New York.

Brown revels in a laid-back and lenient ambiance in Providence, yet it fosters creativity and independence.

4. Class Size and Teaching Style

Class size varies among Ivy League colleges.

Dartmouth College is known for its small class sizes and personal interaction with students and faculty.

Brown also offers a more personalized academic experience.

Larger classes are all but guaranteed in large institutions such as Harvard and Columbia.

5. Admission and Selectivity

All Ivy League colleges boast very low acceptance rates; however, some schools are less competitive than others. Acceptance rates are lowest at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Cornell and Brown have slightly higher acceptance rates but are still very competitive by any measure.

6. Tuition and Financial Aid

Although Ivy League schools are obscenely expensive, the financial aid packages they provide on the basis of need are substantial. Princeton, however, stands out with its no-loan policy, where all the student's financial aid money comes in the form of grants, not loans.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. What are Ivy League schools known for?

Ans: All-Ivy League schools share the same characteristics: academic excellence, historical prestige, and selective admissions. Besides that, each school has its own strengths and culture.

Q2. Which Ivy League is the easiest?

Ans: Not really, but Cornell generally holds the highest acceptance rate of any Ivy League school, which still is extremely competitive.

Q3. Which of the Ivy Leagues offers the best financial aid?

Ans: Well, all of the Ivy Leagues offer pretty good financial aid, but Princeton especially gets kudos for its no-loan policy, which gives you all of your need aid.

Q4. What are the best Ivy League schools for business?

Ans: The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is a close first, followed by strong programs at Harvard and Columbia.

Q5. Do Ivy League schools have diverse campus environments?

Ans: Yes, the campus environments vary widely: from cities - such as Columbia and Harvard - to college towns or rural settings - including Cornell, Princeton, and Dartmouth.