What is the difference between Public Ivys and Regular Ivys?

College Search & Lists
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<p>If you all understand the concept, why is it so hard to explain to a teenager what it means instead of denying that it even exists?</p>

<p>Actually, there does seem to be a list. Both William and Mary College and the NPR.org websites state that there are 8 of them. The original list was created by Richard Moll in his 1985 book (see below). According to NPR, the 8 public ivies are: </p>

<p>College of William & Mary
Miami University of Ohio
University of California Berkeley
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Texas at Austin
University of Vermont at Burlington
University of Virginia at Charlottesville</p>

<p>A 2001 book by Howard and Matthew Greene expanded the list of public ivies from 8 to 30. I would think you compare those colleges the same way you compare others. This website is full of posts that explain how to do exactly that. If OP posted a thread titled “UCB or William and Mary,” I’m sure s/he would get plenty of feedback.</p>

<p>For further information, see:</p>

<p>The book “Public Ivys: A Guide to America’s Best Public Undergraduate Colleges and Universities,” by Richard Moll (1985).</p>

<p>“The Public Ivies: America’s Flagship Public Universities,” by Howard and Matthew Greene (2001).</p>

<p>“Consider a Public Ivy School if You Want a Strong, Affordable Education,” US News and World Report, April 30, 2013</p>

<p>“How Did A Public Ivy Take Root in Vermont,” Atlantic Monthly, Oct. 14, 2013</p>

<p>“Berkeley and the public Ivies: Five lingering questions,” Washington Post, Jan. 3, 2012</p>

<p>William and Mary College Website: <a href=“Cool Facts | William & Mary”>http://www.wm.edu/about/rankings/coolfacts/index.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Univ. of GA website: <a href=“https://dar.uga.edu/government_relations/index.php/site/news_and_events/uga-named-a-public-ivy-school”>https://dar.uga.edu/government_relations/index.php/site/news_and_events/uga-named-a-public-ivy-school&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Miami Univ. (OH) college website: <a href=“The Value of a Public Ivy Education | Miami University”>The Value of a Public Ivy Education | Miami University;

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Uh, so why is it hard to explain? Ivies which are only 8? A list of 8 public Ivies, and then another list of 30?</p>

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<p>I think that Public Ivies are more of a general term than a strictly established list of institutions. You’ll usually see UC Berkeley, UVA and UNC-CH on there, for instance, and sometimes other schools like UIUC and UW will make an appearance as well. In fact, I’m pretty sure any large public university will have referred to themselves as a Public Ivy at one point or another. </p>

<p>But it’s a marketing term, in my opinion. Why refer to anything as a ___ Ivy other than the ancient eight themselves? Would Harvard-Westlake claim to be part of the West Coast GLADCHEMMS? I feel like Little Ivies and Public Ivies might as well be called Great LACs and Public Universities because that’s what they are–there’s no need to legitimize their strengths by slapping on a suffix. </p>

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<p>The way it goes pretty soon every 4 year college is an Ivy of some sort.</p>

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<p>This isn’t really that difficult to explain.</p>

<p>The Ivy League refers to an athletic conference made up of 8 private schools. They’re located in the NE US. </p>

<p>The term “public ivy” was first coined in 1985 and referred to a specific set of 8 elite public schools. (Since there are 8 private schools in the Ivy League, it makes sense that the first list of Public Ivies also had 8.) In 2001 the list was expanded to a specific list of 30. They’re spread all over the US.</p>

<p>Ivy League schools are notoriously difficult to get into; they require high stats and admission rates are generally in the single digits. I think several give good aid if your family income is low enough, but they’re not a safety for anyone.</p>

<p>Public Ivies are public colleges with a reputation for providing a solid education, but they’re not part of the official “Ivy League” conference. Their admission rates are higher than the Ivy League schools, in general, but I’m sure the cost of a “public ivy” can be similar to that of an Ivy League school.</p>

<p>You can compare Ivy League schools and public ivies the same way you compare other schools. Go to a website like College Board and start putting in your information (stats, major, campus size, location, cost, etc.). Unless you have off the chart stats and enough money to be full pay wherever you decide to go, you should be able to come up with a reasonable list of reach schools (those you don’t have a great chance of getting into or can’t afford without a lot of aid), matches (those you stand a reasonable chance of getting into and should be able to afford), and safeties (schools you’re guaranteed to get into, can afford, and would be happy to attend if nothing else panned out). Before you apply, run the Net Price Calculators on each college’s website to make sure you can afford to attend if you’re accepted. </p>

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<p>Thank you posters on both sides of this thread, for making me laugh. </p>

<p>With regard to the OPs Michigan State incident, I have to say that I attended MSU and overall, it is definitely not as challenging as the actual Ivies that my wife and daughter have attended.</p>

<p>However, you can definitely get a great education there and they do some excellent research there if you have an interest in research. </p>

<p>While MSUs typical student is definitely not Ivy League material, I would put MSUs best students up against any students in the world. That is also true of any Big 10 school. You can get an Ivy League level education there, if you are willing to make an effort.</p>

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<p>The problem is that any one can claim that their school is a “Public Ivy.” There are lists that people have made but others have made other lists. </p>

<p>Let’s start a list of Community College Ivies (trademark!).</p>

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<p>Oh bummer my son doesn’t go to a “Public Ivy” …I guess I should have checked the list before he went to college :-< lol</p>

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<p>@much2learn - I’d give the nod for an “official” list to Moll since he apparently coined the term in his book. Obviously that list has expanded to include more schools since '85.</p>

<p><a href=“https://ink.niche.com/public-ivies-bigger-better/”>https://ink.niche.com/public-ivies-bigger-better/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>@OHMomof2 “I’d give the nod for an “official” list to Moll.”</p>

<p>Maybe I would even agree with you, but the facts are that anyone can use the term. We can start an online school today called “Public Ivy.” </p>

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<p>Sure. Anyone can expand the list, whether most people would agree that an online school would qualify is anyone’s guess…I suppose it would at minimum have to have </p>

<pre><code>-Admissions selectivity
-Education that includes liberal arts
-Money put into reputable faculty and to create an attractive campus
</code></pre>

<p>…and be public.</p>

<p>We could create a “best colleges” list too…oh wait ;)</p>

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<p>I’m always annoyed when people refer to my school as a “Little Ivy.” It seems like such desperate striving.</p>

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<p>A top LAC isn’t a “Little Ivy”, IMO, though there is a book for that too (the Greenes strike again): <a href=“The Hidden Ivies - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hidden_Ivies&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>If IVY is an athletic conference, then those “little Ivies” should be called the NESCAC schools :)</p>

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<p>@OHMomof2 I am saying that could just name our online school “The Public Ivy.” </p>

<p>Selectivity.
It would be selective, because it would only admit students we select. We will even con bad applicants to apply so we can reject them, just like a real college. </p>

<p>Liberal Arts.
All classes in any school have liberal arts components, if you have to read and write. </p>

<p>Reputable Faculty.
With you on staff, who could question our reputation. </p>

<p>Campus.
All screens for our online campus will have the most beautiful backgrounds possible. It would only take a quick trip to Getty Images.</p>

<p>;) ;)</p>

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<p>Can we name it Little Lamzie-divey? Or does it have to be Little Lambs Eat Ivy?</p>

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@OHMomof2‌ - I agree. It’s silly. Why not just say “NESCAC school” or “highly selective LAC.”
<a href=“Little Ivies - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Ivies&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;