As you consider top schools, a few words of wisdom on Ivy League colleges.

Although the term Ivy League was originally coined to refer to a collegiate athletic conference, the eight Ivy League universities that form the group are certainly among the best in the world. All the Ivies are old (most were
founded during the colonial period) and private Northeastern institutions.

All were founded as men’s colleges but have accepted women since the 1970s. Here are some things to consider about the Ivy League:

• In today’s highly competitive world of admissions, Ivies have among the lowest rates of acceptance. There is not nearly enough room for all the students who are qualified.

• Each Ivy is unique, not only in size and atmosphere, but also as a result of location. You will have a different experience at Columbia University in urban New York City than at Dartmouth University in quiet Hanover, New Hampshire.

• An underachieving and lazy student at an Ivy League school will likely not go as far as a top student and leader from a non-Ivy school.

• A student will achieve where he can thrive; not every student will do best in any one or every one of the Ivies’ cultures and atmospheres. Attending an Ivy is not a guarantee of future success: Academic superstars, political and business leaders, prizewinning scientists and artists have attended—and may be teaching at—a wide range of colleges across the country.