<p>I came across many posts and threads on various themes of "Ivy caliber". What is it exactly? </p>
<p>On the surface, I take it to mean stats, achievements, abilities and aptitudes sought by the Ivy adcoms who supposedly look at each candidate "holistically". For the purpose of this thread, I'd like to define an "Ivy caliber" applicant as someone who has a good chance of getting accepted to an Ivy or one of its peers. You can interpret "good" however you want. </p>
<p>It is easy to check the test scores and class rankings from the CDS, but the 25% to 75% bands are pretty wide. What about other credentials? Clearly the Ivies are not the same. Some consider H head and shoulder above the rest, and many consider HYP a clear cut above the other five. Some don't even view Cornell in the same "league" as the rest.</p>
<p>So, what do you think is an example profile of an Ivy caliber applicant? Furthermore, if you have to break it down, what is an example profile of a HYP caliber student? Let's have some fun.</p>
<p>I’m willing to go along with top institutions, so that great universities such as Stanford and Chicago, MIT and Caltech to name just a few are included, along with great LACs. But the perpetuation of the Ivy myth distresses me.</p>
<p>Besides, anyone can apply to any college, including Ivy League colleges.</p>
<p>^I’ve no problem with the suggestion. I just edited the first post. Since people seem to use “Ivy caliber” as though there is a general consensus of what it means, I’m just curious of what folks really think about it.</p>
<p>For heaven’s sake, haven’t you figured this out yet?
Also as a parent of a Cornell student, I sometimes wish the university wasn’t in the Ivy league, just so I could avoid being ****ed off at such disparaging remarks as yours. Idiotic.</p>
<p>I really think what sets “high Quality school” kids apart(i’m including top 50 LACs and Unis) is that they are movers and shakers. They bust their butt in every aspect of their lives in order to be the very best they can be. </p>
<p>I think this motivation shines through all aspects of their life, and is what sets these kids apart</p>
<p>I’ll try to answer your question but I don’t think it is the answer you’re looking for.</p>
<p>You already know what an “Ivy caliber” applicant is. Some of them are your classmates, they are the ones that get terrific grades, high test scores, participate in extra-curriculars, and do volunteer work. They are all “Ivy caliber”. However most, maybe all of them, will not be admitted to any Ivy League schools if they apply. Thirty years ago they would have, not today. That is because the Ivy League and all the other top schools receive way more qualified applicants than they can accept.</p>
<p>I suspect what you were really asking me was how you can be accepted to an Ivy League college. That I can’t answer.</p>
<p>Cornell and Vanderbilt are both outstanding schools. Even if there are people who don’t think that the students there and their parents know what fine institutions these are.</p>
<p>The definition is going to be different from school to school. At our school (big public, very diverse) HYPMC and probably the top LACs rarely dip below the top 2% of the class, but for the rest they’ll reach into the top 5% of the class, maybe more. I assume scores are as reported, but from our high school only 3 have been accepted in the last six years to any of these schools with less than 2250 SAT scores. Quick check looks like similar results across the board for Amherst, Swarthmore and Williams. And I think it’s the same three students who had the acceptances despite lower scores and grades. (Probably athletes and/or URM.) Of the kids who I know of that have been accepted to the group of top schools, most have brought something else to the table. Intel level research, outside work experience well beyond that of most high school students, medals at state level Science Olympiad, plus involvement in school ECs. </p>
<p>And not to denigrate Cornell, but stats-wise they definitely look deeper into our class accepting a good number of kids with scores in the 1900-2100 range, and with weighted averages 5 points below those at HYP etc. Personally, I think this is a good thing. There are a lot of really bright kids in that group who have a lot to offer. It’s Harvard’s loss that they don’t look at them.</p>
<p>r6l, is right, many are movers and shakers, though sometimes a bit under the radar. I’d put it perhaps a different way that they are often self-motivated to get things done on their own. My son didn’t look for computer science courses, he just taught himself.</p>
<p>I agree with the assesment that kids that have a shot at the best of the best colleges bust their backsides in everything they do. I have eight kids and only one so far that has that trait. (Most all the kids have powerful work ethics, but she lives on another planet.) She is willing will trade sleep if that means being the best she can be at everything she does. She does not need to be paid for grades, she doesn’t care about awards, but she does care about doing her very best. Does that yield awards, yes, but it is not the modivation. When the award is the modivation, resentment will build and the end result is burnout. What everyone is saying is true. My steller student’s odd of getting into a top 10 college is not great. It is just not great for anyone. All these kids can do submit the apps and cross the fingers.</p>
<p>For me, my greatest pride is not putting pressure on the kids. For me, I will be happy for her if she goes to UT (Safety) , Princeton, Stanford or Northwestern (and what ever else lands on the list) Why? Because these are HER choices. She likes them all for different reasons. She has abandoned the concept of “dream school.” She is mature enough to know that attending a “dream school” is all fine and well, but putting all the eggs in the dream school basket will only result in breakage. Breakage of one’s spirit, of one’s self esteem and one’s heart. She refuses to be defined by the word “Ivy League”.</p>
<p>^^that was a beautiful post…your D and I sound very similar
my parents always say “You put more pressure on yourself than anyone else ever could”</p>
<p>Assuming we’re talking about somebody who is unhooked, I think it’s a student who is very good at everything and phenomenally good at something. So top grades and scores, good ECs and something else that stands out, like some major recognition outside of school. Published writing, admission to highly selective summer program, real research, unusual leadership in charitable work, etc.</p>
<p>I get kinda ranty when discussions keep circling around “ivies.” So here I go.</p>
<p>In the past, “Ivy caliber” kids were simply the offspring of the socially established upper class in the US plus some from fabulously wealthy striving families on the make. It was a class thing. This in no way is meant to negate the excellence of the educations at such schools, but to point out that historically the “caliber” of ivy students was less a statement of merit than of privilege.</p>
<p>Today, it is shorthand for excellence (whether grades, SATs, ECs, and/or Sports). Trying to pin down the exact criteria that institutions use to admit several hundred and to exclude many thousands more among gradients of wonderful young people seems to me a bit pointless. Measuring and comparing kids can be harmful, and I think judging their “caliber” is insulting. </p>
<p>That said, when cc posters refer to an “ivy caliber” student, they are acknowledging that no one these days can predict who will be admitted to a highly selective college–but this is a student with all the bells and whistles that <em>should</em> be qualified and attractive to such a school. OP, after all your time hanging around cc, do you really not know which bells and whistles these are?</p>
<p>I have an opinion, which is not the same as saying I know it. We are still on the first page and already we have opinions that are different from my own. For example, I don’t think you need to be “good at everything”, but that is just my opinion :). </p>
<p>I agree with madbean that the meaning of “Ivy caliber” changes with time, because these colleges and their admissions criteria change with time.</p>
<p>The answer to your question is in your last post. Every Ivy and upper level school has a unique way of going about choosing their classes and therefore not one student and can fit all Ivy molds.</p>
<p>Thinking about this while starting dinner here–</p>
<p>I suppose that I think first about some posts from parents here who are also Ivy alums and do interviews…and some of those thoughts shared…</p>
<p>that the kids getting into these schools --while easily replaced by an equally excellent group</p>
<p>–are individuals that the schools need–the kids bring something to the table…</p>
<p>–they are kids who make the most of whatever resources they have available and often go out of their way to pursue more–more education, more service, more athletics…</p>
<p>–they probably range from being comfortable in their own skin to being the awkward kid…</p>
<p>–they demonstrate genuine values, skills and leadership and hopefully not just as resume padders…</p>