The Hidden Ivies are colleges that have an excellent reputation but are not considered Ivy League schools.
Flickr user Ilyse Whitney
You’ve heard of the Ivy League Schools – Harvard, Yale, Brown, Columbia, Princeton, Dartmouth, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania. These eight research universities consistently top the list of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the United States. But that doesn’t mean that they’re the only colleges offering high-quality education. The education offered by the lesser-known hidden Ivy League Schools is on par with the Ivy League schools.
If you’ve never heard of the Hidden Ivies, here’s a rundown of what that phrase means and how these schools compare to Ivy League Schools.
What Are The “Hidden Ivies?”
The Hidden Ivies – also known as ‘Little Ivies’ comprise a select few private liberal arts colleges with stellar reputations. These colleges come close to the Ivy League schools in terms of selective admissions, academic rigor, and outstanding research facilities.
The term ‘Hidden Ivies’ was introduced by education experts Howard and Matthew Greene in their book with the same name. First published in 2000, the book is updated regularly and lists the most current colleges or universities that are on par with the Ivy League. Currently, in its 3rd edition, the guide features 63 schools around the United States that offer a premier liberal arts education.
The guide highlights features and facilities that are similar to their Ivy League counterparts. It does a great job of raising awareness of these smaller, but still excellent, higher education institutions. The book is also laid out well. It helps students browse outstanding college options while helping them identify the option that best fits their needs.
FIND YOUR COLLEGE MATCHDifference Between Ivy League And Hidden Ivy League Schools
The first, and most glaring difference between the Ivy Leagues and Hidden Ivies lies in their reputations. The eight colleges that make up the Ivy League are academic powerhouses with more worldwide name recognition. The sixty-three liberal arts schools that make up the Hidden Ivies are also well known but to a much lesser degree. This could simply be attributed to the fact that the Ivy League was established many years earlier and its reputation has grown over time. The Hidden Ivies only came into the limelight in 2000, after the book by the same name was published.
Another difference between the two is that the eight Ivy League schools are huge. Their student body is made up of tens of thousands of students. The Hidden Ivies generally have much smaller student cohorts. For example, Bowdoin, Swarthmore, and Amherst, accept fewer than 1,900 students every year.
The third difference lies in the programs these schools offer. The Ivy League schools are known for their numerous and diverse graduate programs that attract students from around the world. The Hidden Ivies on the other hand focus almost exclusively on liberal arts undergraduate education.
The acceptance rates are another point of difference between the Ivy League and Little Ivy League schools. The eight Ivy League schools have exceptionally low acceptance rates. Although the Hidden Ivies have higher acceptance rates, they vary considerably among these schools, from a low 4% at Stanford to 46% at Lehigh University.
Which Schools Are On The Hidden Ivies List?
The Hidden Ivies list includes some interesting names, some better known than others but all equally distinguished. Currently, 63 colleges make up the Hidden Ivies list. These are a mix of smaller colleges and large research universities.
These 7 Hidden Ivies regularly feature in the Top 20 Best National Universities:
- Stanford University
- Northwestern University
- John Hopkins University
- The University of Chicago
- Duke University
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Vanderbilt University
A few other schools that make up this prestigious cohort of Hidden Ivies are:
- Georgetown University
- Amherst College
- Tulane University
- University of Southern California
- University of Rochester
- Boston College
- Swarthmore College
- Villanova University
- Lafayette College
- Vassar College
All of these are outstanding schools. They may not officially be part of the Ivy Leagues, but their reputation is just as solid.
Advantages of Hidden Ivies
The 3rd edition of The Hidden Ivies does a great job of highlighting these benefits. These are some of the reasons why you should consider attending one of the Hidden Ivies:
1. Outstanding Education
All schools that make up the Hidden Ivies are committed to academic excellence and exploration. These schools pull out the stops to ensure that their students get an exceptional liberal arts-based education. The curriculum is designed to help students hone their problem-solving skills and express ideas and solutions in a logical, organized, and coherent manner.
2. Top-Notch Faculty
Hidden Ivy League schools pride themselves on being highly selective in the faculty they employ. Most professors at these colleges have engaged in extensive research and earned multiple advanced degrees in their area of expertise. Almost all professors have authored journals and books, which are published in prestigious research publications. The quality of education you’ll receive from professors at these schools is unmatchable.
3. Low Faculty-Student Ratio
Most Hidden Ivies have smaller student cohorts. They offer smaller class sizes and a lower faculty-to-student ratio, which allows for a more personalized learning experience. This is an ideal environment for students who prefer one-on-one interactions with their professors and classmates.
4. Excellent Resources And Facilities
As a student of a Hidden Ivy League school, you’ll have access to a wide range of enviable resources and facilities. All campuses feature modern scientific research facilities, extensive libraries, and well-equipped athletic and arts facilities. They also offer a diverse choice of extracurricular programs for all-around development.
5. Lots of Career-Advancing Opportunities
Undergrad students at Hidden Ivy League schools can avail of a range of career-advancing opportunities. They can participate in research projects in their field under the guidance of established experts. Undergraduates also get the opportunity to participate in multiple internships and assistantships that are not available to students of other colleges.
6. Admissions Are Less Competitive Than Ivy League Schools
Ivy League schools are highly competitive with an average acceptance rate of about 4%. With students applying from all over the world, these schools can afford to be so selective. Getting accepted into one of these colleges can be challenging even if you consistently earned A grades throughout high school. Although the Hidden Ivies are also highly competitive, they tend to be easier to get into. You’ll get an equally good education without the additional stress, which is a win-win.
7. Diverse Student Body
The chance to interact with students from different cultural, geographical, and socioeconomic backgrounds makes for an exceptional learning experience. It opens up your mind and gives you a new perspective that you could never get from any textbook.
Should You Apply To Hidden Ivy League Schools?
There’s no single answer that’s right for everyone. You should apply to one of the schools on the Hidden Ivies list but only IF fits your needs and goals.
Don’t apply to a college or university just because it’s a top school or because your parents tell you to. Instead, it’s more important to assess each school based on the academic programs and facilities that they offer. You also want to make sure they match all the other criteria on your college shortlist.
Also look beyond the education to the campus life, surrounding area, and other details. After all, this is where you will be spending the next four years. Is it something you would enjoy? Once you’ve decided it is school you would like to attend, it’s time to start working on your application.
If lack of funds is limiting your choices, take a look at these 10 expensive colleges that offer free tuition to qualifying students.
This article Is it the right college fit for you offers important tips and advice on identifying schools that are a good match for you. If you’re interested in any of the Hidden Ivies, do your research. Ensure that it is a college that fits your needs and wants and approach it just like you would any school before you apply!
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