<p>What makes an Ivy League college education so advantageous? Should I only search for college in the Ivy League?</p>
<ul>
<li>Ivy Curious</li>
</ul>
<p>Dear Ivy C.,</p>
<p>The name "Ivy League" refers to an athletic conference of seven private colleges in the United States. Harvard University, Princeton University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University have been playing each other in basketball, football and rowing for over a century. Beyond college sports, these seven schools were amongst the first colleges in this country, and (excluding Cornell, which was established in 1865) they have been building their reputation since before the Revolutionary War.
<p>kwu - she is stating the obvious, though it is surprising how little some students get it. I am often suspect of the deflecting Ivy League answer. Especially as she goes on further - if fame is what you want, then Ivy is for you. I think that Columbia proves that a school can have a true individual and collective benefit. And though it is not a perfect place for everybody - I can name a handful of people that wouldn’t do well at CU - for the right kind of student (independent, industrious, thought-oriented, urbane, adventurous) Columbia should be on if not at the top of their list. The anti-Ivy mentality actually serves to keep people at a distance from the schools and so students who might make a good fit may not apply as they just assume it is an impossible Ivy to attend. It is a shame. I wish more people could see through the veneer of the prestige Ivy-baiting and the equally unnecessary Ivy-deflecting. But that sounds like a massive societal reorientation.</p>
<p>I agree with admissions geek. People are too hung up on “pulling down” all those people who want to Ivies for the fame and also pull down people who would actually do well at those schools.</p>