For many parents, especially those who reside in the northeastern United States as well as other places, the pinnacle of education is found in Ivy League schools. Their cherished dream and life-long ambition is to send their sons and daughters to these schools, believing that the higher standards of education and social connections available there will likely set up their offspring for life. They are impressed no end by the Ivy League, with its connotations of academic excellence and its reputation for social elitism, and with good reason.
The term Ivy League can trace its roots to 1935, but the term really gained national attention starting in 1954 with the formation of the NCAA Division I athletic conference. With the dearth of professional sports at the time, people became rabid supporters of their favorite college teams and the Ivy League schools were no exception. Today, the term Ivy League is no longer associated wholly with athletics but with educational philosophy as exhibited by the country's oldest schools.
There are eight private institutions that comprise the Ivy League: Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island; Columbia University in New York, New York; Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire; Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Princeton University in the Princeton Borough and Princeton Township, New Jersey; University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
There are some characteristics common to Ivy League members, and these give credence to the perception that they are exceptional learning institutions. Ivy League schools consistently place among the top 20 in the US News college and university rankings; they rank among the top one percent of the world's academic institutions in terms of financial endowment; they are a haven for the country's top-tier students and faculty; and they are perceived to be socially elite.
All of the Ivy League institutions have financial endowments of over $2 billion each and are considered to be among the wealthiest private universities in the United States. Harvard, with a $25.5 billion endowment in 2005, is considered the wealthiest university in the United States and in the world. Incidentally, it is also the oldest university in the country.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a math problem that i cant figure out ...
By: Jaleesa | 23-09-2008
i have a math problem that i cant figure out
solve for w
P=10u-6w
Programs that do not require GRE scores
By: Dalphne | 22-09-2008
Are there any Ph.D programs that do not require GRE scores or allow you to have any GRE score on file if you met the programs GPA requirement?
Why should school be mandatory?
By: robinmaroobo | 22-09-2008
why should school be mandatory?
Clark County School District grades disclosure
By: star | 21-09-2008
My son was given a paper saying that he was on GATE and after attending 2 meetings he was told that he wasnt on GATE.
Is the parent entitled to looking at the criteria for the GATE program, if yes, can the school allow the parent to look at his/child's qualifying scores in histogram format, which includes the scores of students who took the same qualifying test? There willl be no identifiers on the information asked except for qualifying score, the average and whether or not the child was accepted in GATE and or advanced Math. thanks
Magic Encyclopedia--Need a Spell
By: Stormie | 20-09-2008
I am playing Magic Encyclopedia and loving it, but I am stuck on the Indian puzzle; cannot figure out the color combination..help please!!!
Need to know if you retire from teaching in State ...
By: J.R. | 20-09-2008
Need to know if you retire from teaching in State of Ohio where does your retirement come from?ww.education.com
Q&A Powered by:
More from Kadence Buchanan
Home
By: Kadence Buchanan | 13/11/2006 | Advertising
Are you shopping for a home but don't know where to begin?
Let's say you were given this big promotion at work that more than doubled your salary.
Celebrities And Plastic Surgery
By: Kadence Buchanan | 12/11/2006 | Advice
A lot of people are tempted to undergo plastic surgery but are afraid of what it could do to them if things go wrong.
Tips For Beautiful Hair
By: Kadence Buchanan | 12/11/2006 | Advice
Your hair speaks volumes about the person that you are. It's arguably one of the most important parts of personal appearance, and in this article, we'll relay some tips on how to keep your hair looking healthy and vibrant.
Mozart
By: Kadence Buchanan | 12/11/2006 | Advertising
Even after two centuries since his death, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart remains as one of the most famous and highly influential composers the world has ever seen.
Lice
By: Kadence Buchanan | 12/11/2006 | Advice
One of the less serious but more irritating and embarrassing health problems to have is a lice infestation.
History Of Chess
By: Kadence Buchanan | 12/11/2006 | Business
I come from a family of golfers. Golf is the favorite recreation of everyone in my family, including my grandparents, my mom and dad, myself and my four siblings.
SA Women 'Prefer Shopping To Sex'
By: Kadence Buchanan | 12/11/2006 | Careers
It's been one of the burning issues of modern male-female relationships. We've suspected as much for a long time and now, finally, our worst fears have been confirmed.
What You Should Know About Cabinets
By: Kadence Buchanan | 12/11/2006 | Advertising
Cabinets are one of the most important aspects of any kitchen. Quality cabinets can increase a the selling value of a home, while poorly constructed ones can detract from not only the value of a home but also the beauty and efficiency of a kitchen.
Advertising 
