How can I get into an Ivy League school (will award best answer)?
Mamawidsom
First, you need to understand that 90-95% of bright, talented, accomplished, and ambitious kids who apply to Ivy League schools get rejected. Next, it is really, really important that you stop thinking of universities as if they were all the same. They are not. Start doing your research. Your best chance is to find the school or schools that really fit who you are as a person and a scholar. Yale is very different from Penn. Dartmouth isn’t the same as Cornell. Also, look at schools that aren’t “Ivy League” but are still highly selective. You may find that there are other schools the are a better fit for you and admitted over 20%. To get into a highly selective university today, you need to have a lot of luck and be unique in some way. All the kids who apply have good grades and top ACT/SAT scores. What each school is looking for any given year can change. In general, you need to have overcome a significant life challenge (cancer, immigration, homelessness) and or done something that 99% of the other great kids didn’t. For example, start a non-profit business that actually makes something and generate income. In some instances, a school is looking to balance their student population and if you are an openly gay Tahitian oboe virtuoso, you might get in where a better academic student wouldn’t. That’s just the reality. At this point, your top goal needs to be getting the best grades you can in the most challenging courses your high school offers – and pursuing extracurricular activities that you actually enjoy whether that is marching band or robotics or lacrosse.
ibu guru
Exceptional schools are looking for exceptional people. Straight-A grades, SAT scores over1500, the usual run of extracurriculars - every applicant has all those. You're right - you need to stand out from that particular herd. Examples of significant "stand-out performance:" A 15 y.o. girl wrote a NY Times Bestseller. Another girl began teaching 3D printing at age 12, then taught herself Python programming & began teaching Python & robotics by 14, got written up in a magazine feature - she's off to MIT. Brothers founded a charity, services for home-bound seniors (still in operation although one is now a lawyer & other brother is a doctor). Win international competitions in sciences, math, music, etc. Establish a business (& earn enough to pay for Harvard + Harvard Med). Volunteer hours? No, launch a new charity service needed in your community, recruit volunteers, manage the operations, etc. Launch a new training program through your local library. Do - successfully & sustainably - what has not been done.
Lib.rare.ian
Not good grades - great grades. A very high GPA. Not volunteer "hours" - volunteering with a purpose, with dedication, with leadership and constancy. Not "clubs" - clubs with an academic or philanthropic goal, or that showcase your talents - debate, band, performance, athletics, whatever. Innovation and endurance are rewarded. Also, great scores on testing, a rigorous academic record (hard classes) great recommendations from the best faculty, and excellent writing skills. Basically, if your school has a good academic reputation, and you actually stand out at your own high school, then you have a better chance of standing out in your college admissions profile.
Tavy
Get your facts right first. You have to train as a Doctor before you specialise in .neurosurgery.
Zheia
Look for an open window then climb up the ivy.
Spock (rhp)
recommendations from influential alumni. That's how Obama got into Harvard Law School.
paul
good grades, volunteer hours, clubs, etc
Squid
Simple, just have your Mom donate a few million to the booster club.
Anonymous
they want rounded students volunteer at hospital or soup kitchen, if you are as clever as you claim, guess what Ivy League schools are looking for