Tens of thousands of qualified high school students apply to the eight Ivy League universities every year. The acceptance rate is generally less than 10 percent. Each applicant is assessed not only on academics, but also on many other aspects of their achievements, such as athletics, leadership and so forth. However, the high school transcript is undoubtedly one of the most important documents that can differentiate a candidate. Grade-point average and carefully chosen course work give admission counselors an impression of an applicant.
Most Ivy League universities do not have a set high school course work for undergraduate applicants. Because many applicants are from a foreign country, they do not expect candidates to have the same high school academic experience. Like many universities, they expect candidates to have had four years of English literature and composition, three to four years of mathematics, three to four years of history and social studies, three to four years of one foreign language (ancient or modern) and three to four years of laboratory science.
Because admission is fierce, candidates who have had a more rigorous curriculum and have shown solid academic achievement will generally have a higher chance of acceptance. However, students who do not have access to these classes will not be penalized. High school students who aspire to apply to an Ivy League university should take college-preparatory and honors classes, if possible. For math, science and engineering candidates, these schools do expect candidates to have had calculus and more advance lab sciences in high school. For a humanities major, candidates should have had extensive writing courses.
Most of these admission websites state that they evaluate how students make use of their resources and challenge themselves academically. Ivy League admissions look for students who are passionate, constantly challenging themselves and are extraordinary outstanding in whichever endeavors they have chosen. Do not take classes that you think would just look good on the transcript. Keep an open mind and make good use of the resources around you as you make your course selections in high school.