collegehelp

Most of all, the Ivy League is a lot of hard work. Generally, students are task-oriented, very busy, academics are their priority, but they find time for some fun. There is drinking, but less than you would find at other schools. Each Ivy has a somewhat different character. Each major has a somewhat different character.

I found students at Cornell to be very friendly and down-to-earth. Not elitist. Students are respectful of each other and of the faculty. Faculty are respectful of students, but have high expectations. There is a special feel at the Ivies. There is a culture and a tradition of excellence, societal interest and responsibilty, sophistication. Over four years, the Ivy culture gets into your blood. I have to say, it is a great feeling to be at an Ivy. The Ivies impart so many fine qualities to their students. You don't appreciate it until you have been away for a while or at another school.

So, life at an Ivy is stressful, demanding, mixed with some good times, fulfilling and rewarding.

I would like to add that there are abundant opportunities to pursue even the most esoteric interests. You can make life at an Ivy what you want.

Finally, if you actually attend an Ivy League school, you won't have to spend the rest of your life wishing you had and trying to rationalize your choice to do otherwise.