8 answers
Saif
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
1
Question
Updated
4240 views
How do I get accepted into Ivy Leagues?
The major that I want is comp sci.
6 answers
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1091
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Saif,
First of all, "the ivies" are 8 universities in the Northeast of the US (initially a football conference) that are known for academic excellence, also known to be highly selective and highly expensive. While they are certainly excellent schools and can do something for you in terms of reputation and connections, keep in mind that:
(1) no one school is "the best" in everything,
(2) ivies are not necessarily all highly ranked in the field you are looking for,
(3) many schools that are highly ranked in STEM are not ivies (e.g. MIT, CalTech, Georgia Tech, U Florida etc),
(4) there are many schools where you can get an excellent STEM education that are not ivies or even top-10 schools,
(5) STEM people are not nearly as obsessed about ivies as people in some other fields,
(6) you need to look for a good overall fit in terms of goals and interests, but also social factors, of the school you attend.
Having said that, you can certainly aim for an ivy or a top-10 school. Keep your grades up so you have as high a GPA as possible. Since you are going into a STEM field, focus on math and physics, also chemistry and biology. If you have computer classes available at school, take those. Take AP courses, dual enrollment to show that you are ready for college-level work. Don't overload your schedule though. You still need top grades.
Internships and summer programs can give you a boost. Participate in extracurricular activities and volunteering. You want to demonstrate qualities like leadership, teamwork, community spirit etc. If your high-school doesn't offer suitable computer courses, take courses outside, either at a community college or online. Practice coding, participate in hackathons and work on some personal projects. Submit a project for a science fair. You'll need some excellent letters of recommendation from teachers or supervisors where you volunteer. Let them know what you are shooting for.
Ivies certainly want students who are academically excellent, but they also want them to be well-rounded. So, don't neglect other interests and hobbies. They are looking for impressive students with a full life and personality, not robots. Think a bit about the story you want to tell in your essay or in an interview and what might be missing so far.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.mastersportal.com/articles/1958/what-are-ivy-league-universities.html
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/best-universities-us-computer-science-degrees
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings
https://www.minnstate.edu/admissions/dual-enrollment/index.html
https://www.rochesterce.org/o/ce/page/stem-fair
First of all, "the ivies" are 8 universities in the Northeast of the US (initially a football conference) that are known for academic excellence, also known to be highly selective and highly expensive. While they are certainly excellent schools and can do something for you in terms of reputation and connections, keep in mind that:
(1) no one school is "the best" in everything,
(2) ivies are not necessarily all highly ranked in the field you are looking for,
(3) many schools that are highly ranked in STEM are not ivies (e.g. MIT, CalTech, Georgia Tech, U Florida etc),
(4) there are many schools where you can get an excellent STEM education that are not ivies or even top-10 schools,
(5) STEM people are not nearly as obsessed about ivies as people in some other fields,
(6) you need to look for a good overall fit in terms of goals and interests, but also social factors, of the school you attend.
Having said that, you can certainly aim for an ivy or a top-10 school. Keep your grades up so you have as high a GPA as possible. Since you are going into a STEM field, focus on math and physics, also chemistry and biology. If you have computer classes available at school, take those. Take AP courses, dual enrollment to show that you are ready for college-level work. Don't overload your schedule though. You still need top grades.
Internships and summer programs can give you a boost. Participate in extracurricular activities and volunteering. You want to demonstrate qualities like leadership, teamwork, community spirit etc. If your high-school doesn't offer suitable computer courses, take courses outside, either at a community college or online. Practice coding, participate in hackathons and work on some personal projects. Submit a project for a science fair. You'll need some excellent letters of recommendation from teachers or supervisors where you volunteer. Let them know what you are shooting for.
Ivies certainly want students who are academically excellent, but they also want them to be well-rounded. So, don't neglect other interests and hobbies. They are looking for impressive students with a full life and personality, not robots. Think a bit about the story you want to tell in your essay or in an interview and what might be missing so far.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Software Developer, and Career Mentor
520
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
Getting into an Ivy League school is a great goal, and there are many ways to make your application stand out. Keep your grades high and get involved in activities that show leadership and community spirit, like volunteering and internships. Join STEM clubs, seek strong recommendation letters from your teachers, and work on personal projects that highlight your interests and skills. Ivy League schools look for students who excel in academics and are also well-rounded, passionate about making a difference, and eager to help others. By showcasing these traits, you can increase your chances of being accepted and even earning scholarships.
Phil Colen
Software Developer
1
Answer
Indiana, Pennsylvania
Updated
Phil’s Answer
Hey Saif,
There's a lot of good advice on this thread already but if your focus is set on entering a top school for comp sci I can hopefully provide some info. While I personally didn't go I have a very close friend who was just completed his degree at MIT for comp sci so I'll pass a bit of knowledge from him.
1. Keep your GPA high, taking AP courses is the best way to boost this number and demonstrates the ability to handle the stress required to graduate from a top university.
2. Specifically for comp sci began making a portfolio immediately with projects that you are INTERESTED in. At this level almost all competitive applicants will have very strong GPA's and portfolios and it's important to distinguish yourself and your reason for choosing in comp sci. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the projects you create rather than creating a project to use AI because it's a hot topic right now. Show the university what makes you stand out from others.
3. Personality is a big part of top schools and expect interviews / specific portfolios to show off what makes you different. Once again, at this level there are students with perfect GPA's and incredible portfolio's so it's time to let your personality speak for itself. What separates you from the crowd may be the deciding factor so show them what makes you different through the extra circular you choose, the volunteer work engage in, and the letters of recommendation you send. Just to name a few. Make sure you show the school who you are, not who you think they're looking for.
Finally I would recommend doing some research about the program you're applying to and why you want that program. It could be specific faculty and courses offered, research opportunities, or the connections offered through the program. Be authentic and you'll find success wherever you look for it.
Best of luck!
There's a lot of good advice on this thread already but if your focus is set on entering a top school for comp sci I can hopefully provide some info. While I personally didn't go I have a very close friend who was just completed his degree at MIT for comp sci so I'll pass a bit of knowledge from him.
1. Keep your GPA high, taking AP courses is the best way to boost this number and demonstrates the ability to handle the stress required to graduate from a top university.
2. Specifically for comp sci began making a portfolio immediately with projects that you are INTERESTED in. At this level almost all competitive applicants will have very strong GPA's and portfolios and it's important to distinguish yourself and your reason for choosing in comp sci. Demonstrate a genuine interest in the projects you create rather than creating a project to use AI because it's a hot topic right now. Show the university what makes you stand out from others.
3. Personality is a big part of top schools and expect interviews / specific portfolios to show off what makes you different. Once again, at this level there are students with perfect GPA's and incredible portfolio's so it's time to let your personality speak for itself. What separates you from the crowd may be the deciding factor so show them what makes you different through the extra circular you choose, the volunteer work engage in, and the letters of recommendation you send. Just to name a few. Make sure you show the school who you are, not who you think they're looking for.
Finally I would recommend doing some research about the program you're applying to and why you want that program. It could be specific faculty and courses offered, research opportunities, or the connections offered through the program. Be authentic and you'll find success wherever you look for it.
Best of luck!
Johnson Tran
Tutor
17
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Johnson’s Answer
Getting accepted into an Ivy League school for computer science requires a strategic approach, strong academic performance, and well-rounded extracurricular involvement. Keep your GPA as high as possible, particularly excelling in math, physics, and computer science courses. Take AP classes or dual enrollment courses to demonstrate readiness for college-level work. Participate in coding competitions, hackathons, or science fairs to showcase your technical skills. Additionally, internships and personal projects can help you stand out. Ivy League schools look beyond academics—they value leadership, community involvement, and unique personal stories. Strong recommendation letters and a compelling application essay that highlights your passion for computer science and your contributions to the community will also boost your chances. Success comes not just from academic excellence but from presenting yourself as a driven and multifaceted individual.
Lorrie Nitti
Software Licensing Team Lead
3
Answers
Rochester, New York
Updated
Lorrie’s Answer
Why choose Ivy League schools?
Honestly, their education isn't necessarily better than non-Ivy schools. My daughter had a great academic record with a high GPA, 12 AP exams with top scores, dual credit classes, a 1510 SAT score, and was the captain of her swim team. She won the sportsmanship award twice, was part of the National Honor Society, and volunteered a lot. She also earned a seal of bi-literacy and many other awards. Her application and essays were excellent.
Despite her qualifications, she was rejected by some colleges with acceptance rates and rankings similar to the Ivies, and even by schools where admission seemed almost certain.
Don't stress about whether a school is Ivy League or not. Being an Ivy doesn't always mean it's the right school for you.
Feel free to apply to any Ivy you like, but remember there are many other colleges that might suit you better, offering education that's just as good, if not better.
As someone who might hire people, I don't care if a candidate went to an Ivy, a state university, or other. That is not what matters.
Honestly, their education isn't necessarily better than non-Ivy schools. My daughter had a great academic record with a high GPA, 12 AP exams with top scores, dual credit classes, a 1510 SAT score, and was the captain of her swim team. She won the sportsmanship award twice, was part of the National Honor Society, and volunteered a lot. She also earned a seal of bi-literacy and many other awards. Her application and essays were excellent.
Despite her qualifications, she was rejected by some colleges with acceptance rates and rankings similar to the Ivies, and even by schools where admission seemed almost certain.
Don't stress about whether a school is Ivy League or not. Being an Ivy doesn't always mean it's the right school for you.
Feel free to apply to any Ivy you like, but remember there are many other colleges that might suit you better, offering education that's just as good, if not better.
As someone who might hire people, I don't care if a candidate went to an Ivy, a state university, or other. That is not what matters.
Derrick Spears
Private Chef
2
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Derrick’s Answer
Contract all of the Ivy League School's that you want to attend, then Contract there counciling office, find out who will be willing to assist you with applying and filling out the application, and what are the requirements for becoming a student, write a Biography on yourself 1st.
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