International Student: What You Need To Know When Applying for an Ivy League University

Uniting students from all over the world

Every year, upwards of 20,000 applicants apply to Ivy League schools. Their highly
selective process, however, results in a 6-12% admission rate.  During the admission
process, the Ivy League seeks diversity and aims to become a global learning institution.
What this means is that the student body of the Ivy League Schools is about 10-15%
international students.

To increase your chances of getting in, here are a few things that you should know before
applying as an international student:


Admission Process

International students who apply to Ivy League schools go through the same admission
process as American freshmen applicants. First-year students must have finished 12 to 13
years of primary and secondary education that would make them eligible to enter a
university. You should have strong academic records with high grades and test scores.

Though the application process is holistic, your scholastic record must show a strong GPA
on all subjects. Besides your school transcripts, letters of recommendation must be written


Required Standardized Tests

ALL standardized tests must be accomplished before the admission deadline. Ivy League
requires either SAT or ACT but there is no official cut off. However, the average ACT score
for the Ivy League is 29-35 while the average SAT score is 1980-2390.


English Language Proficiency

In addition to the required SAT or ACT, international students applying to the Ivy League
must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English
Language Testing System (IELTS) to gauge their proficiency in written and verbal English.
A minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL and 7 for IELTS is strongly recommended.
In addition to the TOEFL and IELTS, English language proficiency is also determined
through interviews. Though most Ivy League schools don’t require an interview, Harvard,
Columbia and Yale encourage international applicants to choose to interview. Not only will
it demonstrate your verbal communication skills, but it will also show the admissions
officers your dedication and interest.

Useful Tips for Writing a Winning College Admissions Essay

Write that essay!

In addition to high school grades and standardized test scores, a stellar college admissions essay is a
ticket into your top choice college.  The essay, being such a valuable piece of the puzzle, can be
daunting.

While there is no specific formula for writing a perfect essay, you must set your eyes on the main goal – to persuade the admissions committee of your worthiness. You want to prove to them that you are more than your standardized test scores or GPA.  You are a person, and by the end of the essay, they need to like you.

Summer is a great time to prepare and to start implementing the following tips:

Focus on the essay question. Most colleges provide questions so it’s important never to lose sight of
your subject matter. Stick to the topic and answer the questions straight to the point.
In your first draft, write freely. Write whatever comes to mind.  Writing involves an endless process of thinking, taking notes, and editing. This first step, however, will surely lead you to a well-written essay.


Write a strong and convincing introduction. Due to piles of college essays awaiting them, most
admissions officers have very limited time to go through an entire application. They may only read the first part of your essay. So, you need to capture their attention in the first paragraph of your essay,
maybe even the first sentence! You should include interesting details and pieces of information that will keep them engrossed in your writing.


Reveal your voice. The point of the admissions essay is for the admissions committee to get to know
you, personally. This essay gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself, show them what you are
made of, and what you can offer to their institution. Be creative in doing so, but also have a sense of
restriction not to overwrite.


Make time for revisions. As mentioned earlier, a successful essay involves the rigorous process of
writing and rewriting. Revisit your essay multiple times to see if you have further additions that will
improve your writing. Check your essay for typographical and grammatical errors, because sometimes these simple mistakes may ruin the totality of your final output.


Finally, have other people read and edit your essay. You may ask friends or family members to go over your written work, as they may have additional input that could contribute to the betterment of your essay. Do not fear criticism, as it will definitely help you produce a winning college admissions essay.

College Interview: How to Approach

Ace your interview!

College interviews will not get you into a school. They are used as more of a vetting service
than to actually admit or reject students. For some schools, interviews are required, while at
other schools, they are optional. For international students, it’s absolutely crucial, that you
schedule an interview whenever possible. You need to show the admissions office that your
English is good enough to participate in the college classroom. Interviews are additional
opportunities for candidates to maximize the potential of their application.


Tell me something about yourself

Although it is easy to say that you are a good student, hard worker, or good at your
extracurricular activities, this is not what the interviewer is looking for. Instead, focus on some
traits that make you unique as an individual. Do you have any unique hobbies? Do you collect
volcanic rocks? Expound on this here. Remember that the aim is to show the interviewer that
you are different from all the other applicants.


Why do you want to attend this school?

Make sure that you have done your research about the school you wish to attend. This question
is aimed at making sure you are truly interested in the school and also to see if the school is a
good fit for you and vice versa. Highlight specific classes, professors, research opportunities,
student groups, cultural initiatives that speak to you. Exhibit how particular programs provided in
the school are in line with your academic, professional, and personal pursuits.


What can you contribute to the school?

This question is aimed at learning your true interests and seeing how you would function in the
school community. The interviewer wants to know how you can add diversity to the campus. If
you intend to be part of the student council or create a club that focuses on your interests, share
them here. Having goals for the school community provides the interviewer a clear picture of
how well you will enhance the college experience for your fellow students. Colleges want
students who will add value to the classroom, campus, and eventually, the alumni community.


What do you do in your spare time?

Answer this by enumerating your passions outside of the classroom. It isn’t necessarily meant to
be connected to your academic goals. Share that you love astronomy, that you work as a
lifeguard every summer, or that you work in your family’s shop every weekend. Any
extracurricular activity or hobby that deeply interests you is a perfect answer for this question.


Do you have any questions?

Always say yes. Asking questions shows your interest in the school and that you were paying
attention during the interview. If you have done your research properly, you will definitely have
questions for the interviewer. Ask about the level of engagement a freshman can expect in the
various research facilities they provide. Or ask about how the school interacts with the
community surrounding it. Questions that relate to your capacity in joining school functions will
leave a positive impression.

Is an Ivy League Degree Really Worth It?

Is it really worth it?

It is no doubt that education is an important investment to one’s future. However, to be able to succeed  in both your personal and professional life, do you have to receive an Ivy League degree? Should true success be defined by an Ivy League degree?

Yes, education comes with a cost, but is an Ivy League degree worth the cost of admission?


Cost of Attending Ivy League Schools vs. Other Schools

The cost of tuition is one of the biggest factors being considered by parents when sending their children to college. While Ivy League schools guarantee quality education and academic excellence to its students, the high cost of attending these prestigious institutions can really discourage interested applicants.

Below is a table that shows the cost of tuition and other expenses when attending Ivy League schools.

• Brown University 
• Tuition: $ 44,608 
• Fees: $ 1,004 
• Books: $ 1,404 
• TOTAL: $ 47,016

• Columbia University  
• Tuition: $ 46,846
• Fees:  $ 2,292
• Books: $ 1,170
• TOTAL: $ 50,308

• Cornell University  
• Tuition: $ 45,130
• Fees:  $ 228
• Books:  $ 850
• TOTAL: $ 46,208

• Dartmouth College  
• Tuition: $ 45,444
• Fees:  $ 1,308
• Books:  $ 1,101
• TOTAL: $ 47,853

• Harvard University    
• Tuition: $ 38,891
• Fees: $ 3,401
• Books: $ 1,000
• TOTAL: $ 43,292

• Princeton University   
• Tuition: $ 40,170
• Fees:  $ 0
• Books: $ 1,200
• TOTAL: $ 41,370

• University of Pennsylvania   
• Tuition: $ 40,594
• Fees: $ 5,296 
• Books: $ 1,190
• TOTAL: $ 47,080

• Yale University   
• Tuition:  $ 44,000
• Fees: $ 0
• Books: $ 3,400
• TOTAL: $ 47,400

The list above shows the cost of tuition and other expenses when attending Ivy League schools based from this blog.


Quality of Education

The high cost of attending Ivy League schools is often attributed to the quality of education and
enriching culture it provides its students, which includes abundant and readily available resources, small class sizes, low student-professor ratio, personalized instructions, and training and other extra-curricular activities among other contributing factors.

However, some metrics suggest that Ivy League schools don't always have the upper hand. For example, the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index, a widely recognized ranking system, shows that while Ivy League schools top certain academic departments, so do non-Ivy League colleges, including schools like Penn State for anthropology, Indiana University  for French, New York University for mathematics, and Washington University in St. Louis for political science. This shows that there are other colleges that can also provide quality education at a much lower cost.


Career Prospects after Graduation and Future Earnings

Aside from the apparent excellent quality of education they provide, the other justification for the cost of an Ivy League education is the guarantee of good career prospects, solid employment, and high earnings after graduation. Many people believe that if you earn a degree from an Ivy League school, you will find yourself overwhelmed with countless numbers of job offers from major companies around the world. For many employers who are given two resumes - one from an Ivy League school and the other from a non-Ivy League college - there is a significantly higher chance of them hiring the Ivy League graduate.

According to some employers, however, this is not always the case. While some employers may seek the Ivy League stamp of approval, others focus on other factors such as technical skills and personal
behavior regardless of alma mater. Michael Martin, a senior project manager at ThoughtWorks, an
information technology consulting company in Chicago, shares, “I don't see any disadvantage in having a degree from any accredited college. At Thoughtworks, we don't necessarily look for potential employees with Ivy League degrees.”


Is an Ivy League Education Really Worth It?

It really depends on you and your circumstances. If you are considering applying to an Ivy League school, you should carefully consider your financial capability, your personality, job prospects after graduation, your career path, and the overall quality of the educational experience you want to receive.



Remember that earning an Ivy League degree is not an automatic path to success. It is still up to you to create your own opportunities no matter where you attend college.

Why You Need To Take The SAT Subject Tests

Testing is fun!

We understand how occupied you are with your current academic responsibilities ‐ from academic
requirements, to participation in organizations, to extracurricular activities. Preparing and studying for the SATs may add to your already hectic schedule. Though some schools are starting to make the SAT IIs an optional part of the application process, for now, we will still encourage you to take these tests.


Here are the reasons why:

1. SAT IIs or SAT Subject Tests evaluate your aptitude and level of knowledge in certain academic
subjects including Math, Chemistry, Physics, Literature, US History, and Language among others.
This gives the college admissions committee a good idea of how ready you are to take a certain
subject or major in college. Thus, it is important that you choose the subjects in which you are
most confident and can assertively demonstrate your knowledge and interest.


2. If you look at the broader picture, taking the SAT IIs can be considered an academic investment
because it can help you gain college credits for certain courses once you get admitted to college.
If you get a really good SAT II score, it could save you from having to attend certain introductory
classes or even get you into a more advanced class.


3. We recommend that you take three SAT subject tests, rather than the recommended two
subjects only to give yourself a cushion. You may want to submit the two highest scores that you got in case you did not do well on the other one.

Studying for the SAT IIs may be a dreadful idea for now, but you will be surprised with the impact it will bring you further down the line. So, it’s important that you take time to prepare for it and aim to get an excellent score. Make sure that you study for the test and take practice exams to help prepare you for topics that will be covered.

How to Get Into Ivy League Schools

The Eight Ivy League Schools

The Ivy League is a group of eight private colleges and universities in the East Coast known for providing high-quality education and exceptional learning experience. These universities were among the earliest academic institutions founded in the United States and have contributed significantly throughout history.

The prestigious colleges and universities that make up the Ivy League are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth University, Harvard University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. Although the term Ivy League was originally associated with an athletic conference in which the sports teams of the eight colleges competed, it has developed to connote academic excellence, high standard admission process, and social elitism.


Ivy League Admissions Process

Every year, a myriad of outstanding and average applicants knock at the admission doors of the eight
schools belonging to the Ivy League. However, with the exceedingly competitive nature of each college, getting into an Ivy League school can be very tough. All eight universities are highly selective and set the bar extremely high, as acceptance rates are normally below 10. Moreover, getting into and attending an Ivy League school can be very expensive, costing an average of $35,000 a year.

Different colleges have different admission processes and look for different types of candidates.

• Princeton University looks for students with intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments. In addition to exceptional academic records and exam scores, Princeton will ask you to write two to three essays as part of the application process. 

• At Harvard University, the factors that are weighted the most are academic accomplishments, strong personal qualities, special talents, and unique personal circumstances. Prerequisites for Harvard college admission include the application and supplemental essays, SAT or ACT scores, high school transcripts, teacher evaluations, and application fees. 

• Similarly, Yale University prioritizes an applicant’s academic strength, which can be derived from grades, standardized test scores, and evaluations from teachers and counselors. In addition, the school’s admissions committee evaluates the motivation, leadership skills, and distinctive talents of each applicant. 

How to Get into a Good College

Having a good education can significantly help you achieve your personal and professional goals in life. If you are ambitious about your future and want a job that you love and that pays well, there is no better preparation than getting a high-quality education from a good college. Getting into a good college starts by showcasing your skills and talents, fulfilling the school’s requirements, and completing the college admissions process.

Some Tips for International Students Applying to US Colleges

With the prestige they bring and quality education they offer, US colleges and universities attract not
only local students, but international applicants, as well. In fact, US colleges strongly encourage
everyone – no matter which country they come from – to apply to any of the programs they offer and
experience the academic culture they are known for.

US colleges and universities ensure that interested applicants from foreign countries are given equal
opportunities as local students. Moreover, some universities even provide special considerations to
international applicants in terms of application deadlines, admissions requirements, and financial aid.


College Application Process for International Applicants

Most US colleges and universities require their candidates to apply using the Common Application,
including international applicants. This means that the application process for American students is the same as that of international applicants – no easier approach and no short cuts. The college admissions requirements are mostly the same, including GPA, standardized test results (SAT, SAT II, and ACT), college application essay, and letters of recommendation, except for the interview process and required the proof of english proficiency test.

While most universities offer an optional college interview to local applicants (and others do not offer at all), they recommend international candidates to still schedule a Skype interview with the admissions office in order to know and evaluate whether the student would be a good fit to the school. For international students, it is important to opt in to these interviews to show off their English and prove to the admissions office that they can succeed in an American college.



Proof of English Proficiency

To ensure that international applicants can keep up with the mode and language of teaching in US
college and universities, a proof of English proficiency test is required, specifically for students whose first language is not English or those who haven’t received at least two years of secondary education in an English-medium curriculum. This can be reflected through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).