Best Ivy League

Searching for the Best Ivy League?

It is well known that the best of the best university are the Ivy League schools. They continually rank at the top of all of the national publication rankings year after year. However, have you ever wondered what the best Ivy League school is? Listed below are the US News & World Report Ivy League rankings for 2012.

Ivy League Rankings

1.   Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)
1.   Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)
3.   Yale University (New Haven, CT)
4.   Columbia University (New York, NY)
5.   University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
11. Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)
15. Brown University (Providence, RI)
15. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

How are the schools the best?

The above list is pretty impressive with all Ivy League schools placing within the top 15. What does this mean, however? How are the rankings determined? The publishers at US News & World Report realize that it is difficult to put the entire collegiate experience into percentages and numbers. They have determined the relative quality of an institution based on widely accepted indicators of excellence. These include freshman retention, graduation rates, and faculty strength, just to name a few.

How do I get in?

The Ivy League schools are some of the oldest in the nation and have traditions dating back to before the Revolutionary War. They are known for their academic excellence and elitism. What does that mean for you, the potential student? If you decide that you are going to pursue an Ivy League education, it is best to start your preparations early. Take the ACT or SAT as early as possible and do well on your first try. Be involved in student government, sports, and other clubs all during high school. What these schools are looking for are all around academics. Not only those students with good grades, but those students that are leaders as well.