Top Tier Admissions
Originally a football conference, the Ivy League has become broadly equated with the nation’s oldest, most selective, and most academically respected schools. Ranging from urban Columbia and UPenn to the more rural Dartmouth and Cornell, the “Ivy” moniker ties these schools together more by association and history than by any one collective attribute. As a […]
The term “Southern Ivies”—meant to denote schools that offer Ivy League-quality educations in the lower half of the United States—has been applied to schools ranging from Davidson College to UT Austin. As with “public Ivies,” there is no consensus on a definitive list of schools in this category. Below, we’ll introduce you to some of […]
With record-high application volume and record-low admit rates, the Class of 2027 admissions statistics are similar to those for the Class of 2026. The major trends? More applications to top schools (driven by test-optional policies) and a clear commitment to a diverse incoming class. But not everyone is smashing records. As reported in our March Madness: Class […]
Since the 1950s, Ivy League schools have been using a secret ranking formula called the Academic Index (AI). Top Tier Admissions Co-Founder, Dr. Michele Hernandez, in her book A is for Admission, was the first to reveal this formula to the public. As part of our commitment to making the college admissions process more transparent, […]
The term “Little Ivies” refers to a group of small, private liberal arts schools mostly clustered in New England whose storied histories, academic prestige, financial endowments, athletic rivalries, and highly selective admissions practices are comparable to the Ivy League’s. For exceptional students considering an intimate liberal arts experience, look no further than this scenic loop […]
The Senior Year Roadmap
Every deadline from August to May – test dates, applications. decisions – in one place. Signup to download the full 9-page Senior Year Roadmap (PDF)