Over the past four years, the Ivy League has weathered some major blows, from bombshell statements about bias during affirmative action hearings to allegations of widespread anti-Semitism and free speech violations.
Although these schools remain some of the most prestigious and competitive in the nation, the Ivy League's luster has faded for many, and some have abandoned the Ivy League dream altogether. But as these schools face reputational issues, a new group of elite private universities is steadily becoming more competitive and more attractive.
The new Ivies, which include the University of Notre Dame, New York University, Duke University, Emory University, Rice University, Vanderbilt University, Northwestern University, and Washington University in St. Louis, boast the rigor, selectivity, and prestige of the traditional Ivies. I am. Over the past decade, interest in these schools from students around the world has increased, resulting in a sharp drop in enrollment rates.
For example, New York University's acceptance rate in 2013 was 35%. That number dropped to 8% in 2024. Similarly, the number of applicants to Rice University has more than doubled over the past decade, from 15,408 in 2013 to 32,473 for the 2023-24 cycle.
The growing popularity of these schools is reflected not only in their admissions statistics but also in their rankings. This year, Duke University earned the No. 6 spot (tied with Caltech) on U.S. News & World Report's Best Universities list, beating out Ivy schools like UPenn, Cornell, and Brown. University rankings. With modest acceptance rates, top-notch facilities, and renowned professors, these schools are no longer Ivy League prep schools; students and parents now view them as prestigious institutions in their own right. Masu.
Despite fierce competition, parents and students consistently underestimate how difficult it is to gain admission to a new Ivy. I have seen firsthand students who received acceptance letters from Princeton University but were rejected by Vanderbilt University, or students who were accepted to Yale University but were rejected by Washington University in St. Louis. And this is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Students who want to get into one of these competitive institutions need to start earlier than ever to build a strong admissions profile.
As a college admissions consultant who has worked privately with families for almost a decade, I have helped countless students change their horizons and earn coveted offers of admission to new Ivy League schools. I was one of the few students. Based on my extensive research with applicants, there are three main mistakes that top students face in failing the new Ibis. If you're looking to get into these elite schools, be sure to avoid these three pitfalls.
Be satisfied with an “easy A” on your transcript
A 4.0 GPA alone won't impress admissions officers at top schools. Students should take the most difficult courses available in high school, especially those related to their desired major. It is important to note that universities evaluate students based on the school's offerings. This means that whether a school offers AP, IB, or its own Honors courses, students pursue the most rigorous coursework on offer and demonstrate their academic and core abilities through their transcripts. This means you should strive to tell a consistent story about your professional interests. Students applying to top schools are competing against a pool of applicants with a 4.0 GPA. While top grades are still the cornerstone of success, rigorous coursework can set you apart from the crowd of straight A students.
Adopt a generalized approach to extracurricular activities
One of the most common mistakes I see students make is not taking into account the huge differences between institutions. Many students generally assume that if they build an impressive profile and apply to every New Ivy, they're guaranteed to get a yes from one of them. However, the approach of “casting a wide net” and assuming that all schools on your list will evaluate your application the same way will not increase your chances of getting into one of these schools. In fact, it may actually lower your chances of admission. with any of them. Rather than simply applying to every New Ivy, do your research to assess which school is the best fit based on your personality, academic background, and personal and professional goals. Upperclassmen should carefully highlight how their extracurricular activities, coursework, and summer plans align with the values of the schools to which they are applying. Young students should pursue extracurricular activities in accordance with the values of the school they wish to attend in the future.
For example, Notre Dame Cathedral, given its religious values, wants its students to engage in meaningful service activities. Students who wish to participate should intentionally seek ways to contribute to the community throughout their high school career and enthusiastically highlight these activities on their application. Rice University, on the other hand, offers a more traditional learning environment, so admissions committees will look for evidence that students are engaging with their academic field at a high level outside of the classroom. Students considering Rice should especially focus on activities that introduce hands-on experience in their field of study, such as Science Olympiad and STEM projects.
Once you've identified a top school that's a good fit, intentionally create an applicant profile that reflects your motivations for that institution early in your high school career. When it's time to apply, apply Early Decision or Early Action to increase your chances of admission.
Does not show clear interest in supplementary essays
Finally, admissions officers at top schools want to see interest expressed by students. A successful application indicates that the student has researched the institution extensively and understands its unique culture and programs. The supplemental essay is an important opportunity for students to demonstrate this depth of understanding. For example, students risk ruining their applications by focusing on “Why Duke?” You can write an essay about your desire to attend a school with a strong sports culture or write a New York University essay about wanting to live in New York City. These are surface-level qualities, and highlighting them indicates that students care more about the school's “feel” and superficial reputation than the school's unique programs and strengths.
Schools like Duke and Emory are not state schools and therefore do not have to meet specific admissions requirements to increase acceptance rates for in-state applicants, but based on my experience with students, they tend to prioritize opportunities that increase a scholar's profile in the region. Based on my work with students, students located in the Southeast tend to have a slight advantage in the admissions process, whereas students in California and Montana are more likely to have done their research and benefit from their school's unique culture. You will need to be more intentional about showing that you understand. .
These new Ivies should be viewed with the same prestige as traditional Ivy League schools. This means students need to strategize from the beginning of their high school years to create an outstanding applicant profile that will catch the eye of admissions committees such as Vanderbilt University. , Northwestern, Duke. Avoiding these common mistakes is the first step for students to create impressive and targeted applications for these schools.
Christopher Lim is the founder and CEO of Command Education, an elite college admissions consultancy based in New York City..
