What is an Ivy sorority?

An "Ivy sorority" usually refers to Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), the first Black Greek-letter organization, which uses the ivy leaf as its symbol for strength and endurance, leading members to call themselves "Ivy" or "Ivy Leaguers," though the term can also playfully describe high-academic chapters of other sororities, like Alpha Phi. The core "Ivy" concept stems from AKA's tradition of planting ivy on Howard University campus during Ivy Day, symbolizing growth and resilience, a tradition that continues today.

What is the most prestigious sorority?

Prestigious sororities often include Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Alpha Chi Omega, known for strong national presence, high recruitment, and notable alumnae, though "prestige" varies by campus and individual values, with groups like Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) and Delta Sigma Theta (DST) holding immense historical significance and community impact. 

Do Ivy Leagues have sororities?

To answer your question, yes, some Ivy League colleges do have sororities and fraternities, although the extent of Greek life varies between schools. For example, at Dartmouth, around 80% of eligible students (non-freshmen) choose to join a Greek organization, making it a significant aspect of campus life.

Why do they call Alpha Phi the Ivy League?

Alpha Phi Alpha stands as the sole Black Greek-letter organization founded at an Ivy League institution—Cornell University.

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 Hidden Ivies are a list of highly selective, prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities outside the traditional Ivy League, identified by educational consultants Howard and Matthew Greene for offering an Ivy-level education with strong academics, resources, and reputation, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona, Duke, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. They are grouped by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) and chosen for their exceptional resources, faculty, and vibrant campus life, making them excellent alternatives to the Ivies. 

Ask An American: University Sororities & Fraternities

What's the easiest Ivy League to get into?

While all Ivy League schools are highly selective, Cornell University is generally considered the "easiest" to get into due to having the highest acceptance rate (around 8-9%), partly because it's the largest Ivy with diverse colleges, like the less competitive Agriculture and Life Sciences, though its engineering programs are tough. Dartmouth College and Brown University often follow as the next most accessible Ivies, while Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia are typically the most difficult, with lower acceptance rates. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Does Harvard have a sorority?

Greek Life at Harvard

When it comes to sororities and fraternities, it's important to know Harvard does not offer Greek life organizations. After the university banned them in the 1850s, Harvard has never brought them back.

Why doesn't Princeton have Greek life?

Princeton Does Not Recognize Fraternities and Sororities. The University does not recognize fraternities and sororities because, in general, they do not add in positive ways to the overall residential experience on the campus.

What sorority is Kim Kardashian in?

Explore Kim Kardashian's sorority life and kitchen vibes. Get insights into rituals and community at Alpha Phi.

What is a bottom tier sorority?

“Bottom tier” has plenty of girls who “slipped through the cracks” and didn't get into “top tier” aka girls who have connections from high school and only recruit their hometown friend group.

Who is Big Delta sorority?

Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is one of four college sororities for African American women, and is the largest African American Greek-letter sorority in the world.

Is Alicia Keys an AKA?

Yes, Alicia Keys is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), initiated in 2004, aligning with the sorority's focus on community service and empowerment through initiatives like her charity, Keep a Child Alive, as noted by sources like this article on Bet.com and Watch The Yard. 

Why do they call it ivy?

"Ivy" in the Ivy League comes from a combination of the traditional 19th-century ceremony of planting ivy on campuses (symbolizing growth) and a sportswriter's 1930s term, Stanley Woodward, who described the historic rivalries between these northeastern universities as the "ivy colleges". While a myth suggests it's from the Roman numeral IV for an original four-school league, the tradition of ivy and the "league" label from sports journalism are the actual roots, solidifying the name for the prestigious athletic conference.
 

Can you join AKA if you're white?

Yes, white people can join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), as their membership selection process does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, or national origin, though it's a historically Black sorority, and membership is by invitation only, focusing on service and sisterhood. While historically all-Black, AKA has had members of other races join for decades, with some white members having joined since the 1960s, though it's a relatively small number compared to Black members. 

What dorm did Mark Zuckerberg stay in at Harvard?

Mark Zuckerberg created Facebook (then "thefacebook") in his Harvard dorm room, H-33 in Kirkland House, as a sophomore in 2004 with co-founder Dustin Moskovitz, coding the first version in about two weeks. He returned to the now-famous room in 2017 for a Facebook Live tour before receiving an honorary degree, showing where his desk was and reflecting on the beginnings of the social network.
 

Can a 3.3 GPA get into Harvard?

It's extremely difficult, but not impossible, to get into Harvard with a 3.3 GPA, as their holistic review heavily favors near-perfect GPAs (averaging 3.9+) for most applicants, but occasionally admits students with much lower grades due to extraordinary achievements, unique talents (like recruited athletes, prodigies), or exceptional circumstances, requiring truly standout essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, and high test scores to even be considered. 

What is Harvard ranked #1 in?

In the most recent version of the same six systems, Harvard ranked first in three of them, (U.S. News, CWUR, and URAOP), MIT was #1 in two of them (QS and Leiden), and the University of Oxford claimed the top spot in the Times Higher Education World University 2026 rankings.

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

What college is 100% acceptance rate?

Yes, many colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, often through open admissions policies, meaning they accept all applicants who meet basic requirements, including many community colleges, specialized career schools, and some online or regional universities like Broward College, Empire State University (SUNY), University of Maryland Global Campus, and Utah Valley University, though availability and specific programs vary. These institutions guarantee admission for qualified applicants, focusing on accessibility, with some examples including Delta State University, Montana State University Billings, and the Academy of Art University. 

What is the safest Ivy League campus?

Campus Safety Considerations

When examining 2022 campus crime statistics, University of Pennsylvania reported the lowest total criminal offenses (26 counts) despite its urban Philadelphia location.

Which Ivy League is the cheapest?

There's no single "cheapest" Ivy League school, as costs vary by aid, but Princeton and Harvard often have lower sticker prices due to large endowments, while offering substantial need-based aid, potentially making them cheapest for low-income students (free tuition for families under ~$150k-$200k), with Columbia, Cornell, and Penn also providing generous aid for lower incomes. Cornell also stands out for meeting 100% need without loans for many domestic students.