What do you need to do to get into an Ivy League college?

Answer 1

Grades and test scores aren't the only things colleges are looking at anymore. Schools are much more concerned with students being well rounded in order to offer diverity into the school.

Many Ivy League Colleges will take a person who has a Minimum test score of 1300 or 1400 on the SAT and and that has held an officer position in a club, played sport, and volunteered over someone that didn't have any outside influences but amazing test scores and grades.

Now, don't get me wrong. If you going to take shot at the big time Ivy League colleges and hoping for lots of financial aid you better have practically a 4.0 as well as showing you can be a president or v.p. of a club, volunteer, and play sports.

Being able to handle all these factors early is life shows that when you are in college you're going be able to handle the life stressors.

My best advice? Starting from the first day of your freshman year in high school, turn off the t.v. and concentrate on your studies. Join two or three clubs that you enjoy as well as a sport (a school team or a club). As you get older, work your way up in the clubs, gaining an officer position, and use the sport as a stress reliever.

Don't stress yourself out though, Ivy League colleges aren't always the best choice for everyone. Don't disregard state private schools.

Choose subjects and activities that you are passionate about! I can't stress this enough. Also, don't be afraid to go out of your comfort zone: try new experiences, expose yourself to different cultures. And if there isn't a certain club or programme in your community, don't sit around complaining about it, start your own! If you see a need for something in your community, then find a way to fulfill that need. And I would say don't focus too much on getting into an Ivy League college. Try to enjoy your time in high school.

Grades and test scores only reveal part of yourself, and I've seen people with 4.0 GPAs and 2400 SAT scores get rejected from the top colleges, simply because they have nothing else to show on their application.

You want to show that you are dedicated and really want to study at the university. Joining clubs and sports helps, but the "stereotypical" student seems to join a few clubs without any sort of commitment or leadership, even though he/she has high grades and test scores. I personally know people who have been accepted to schools like Caltech, Harvard, and MIT because they hold national or international titles (ISEF, IMO winners) or have published original research while in high school.