If you’ve ever heard phrases like “Wesleyan is the new Brown,” then you’re already familiar with the concept of the “new Ivies.” While attempts to associate given schools with the Ivy league can border on the ridiculous – I don’t know how many times I’ve heard someone claim their school is the “Harvard of the (fill in the blank state or region) – the “new Ivy” label can be useful for high school students exploring colleges to target. At its best, the label encompasses the barrage of schools that are academically, if not necessarily prestigiously comparable to the Ivies. At my high school, many top students missed out on the opportunity to apply to the “new Ivies,” instead aiming for the Harvard/Yale/Princeton trinity or bust.

Since the college admissions process is a game in which savvy often trumps traditional smarts, it’s important to have this short list of “new Ivy” colleges in your arsenal. Consider it a brief but valuable introduction to the whole world of great schools that exists outside the confines of the blisteringly competitive Ivy League admissions race. But a word to the wise, apply widely – these “new Ivies” gain in popularity and drop in admissions rates every year.

Wesleyan University

As stated previously, Wesleyan, a progressive liberal arts college in small town Connecticut, is viewed by many as a “new Brown” of sorts, and therefore merits a place on the list of “new Ivies.” Known for its creative student body and strong film studies department, Wesleyan definitely belongs on the list for any student craving a liberal artsy style education comparable to that of the Ivy league while requiring less stringent admissions criteria.

Rice University

While it has solid programs in the liberal arts, the best opportunities at this “new Ivy” definitely stem from top-notch programs in the sciences. Rice is particularly known for its strong and long-lasting ties to NASA which is conveniently located only a stone’s throw from Rice. An added bonus for those looking to live in a hotspot town after graduation, Houston is Rice’s home and a booming city on the rise.

University of Virginia

Here’s a place where you can have an All-American college experience – gorgeous campus, great sports, frats and sororities – and immerse yourself in excellent academics at the same time. Long considered competitive with UC Berkeley for the title of best public college in the nation, don’t dismiss UVA just because you’ve never heard of Charlottseville, the suburban town it calls home.  A large number of students at UVA participate in the interdisciplinary major program , allowing them to truly design their undergraduate education down to the last detail.

Claremont McKenna College

Part of the Claremont consortium of colleges in Southern California, Claremont McKenna may be overshadowed by East coast liberal arts colleges for now, but it will likely not remain so for long. With popular academic programs in economics and psychology that mirror (and some would say improve upon) the East coast model of education, fantastic weather, and walking distance access to eight other rising star universities (including nationally known Pomona College and science powerhouse Harvey Mudd) this lesser known California gem is a must-apply.

Harvey Mudd College

Watch out, MIT, because while Harvey Mudd is still known mainly on a regional level, this California school’s programs in engineering and the hard sciences give any place a run for their money. Like Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd is part of the rising star Claremont consortium in Pomona, California. Just an hour’s drive or so from Los Angeles and offering balance through its connections with Pomona College and Claremont McKenna, this technological heavyweight is a must-apply for any student interested in the mathy side of life. 

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