The Ivy League

One application, eight schools. All eight accept the Common App. Each adds its own short essays and questions, so plan for several pieces of writing per university.

Two rounds. Early rounds close on 1 November and regular rounds in the first week of January. Harvard, Yale and Princeton run a restrictive or single-choice early action round; the other five run binding Early Decision, which commits you to attend if you are admitted.

Testing. Six of the eight require the SAT or ACT this cycle. Princeton and Columbia are test-optional for 2026/27 and have both announced a return to required testing from 2027/28.

From your school. Expect to send your transcripts, a counsellor report and teacher recommendations, plus proof of English if it is not your first language. Requirements differ between universities, so check each one before you apply.

Graduate schools at each Ivy admit students separately from the undergraduate college. You apply to each programme directly, usually with a statement of purpose, references and, for many courses, the GRE or GMAT.

Most PhD offers come with full funding: tuition plus a living stipend, usually in return for teaching or research work. Funding for master's degrees is more limited.