Forbes New Private Ivies List? Not So Helpful

Last week, I posted a list of Forbes’ “New Public Ivies,” relatively cost-effective (compared to private institutions) colleges that propel students toward strong salary outcomes. Forbes has also created a list of “New Private Ivies.” 

Unlike those on the Public Ivy list (see last week’s blogpost), which are highly competitive but reasonable reaches for many students, these colleges are mostly “Ivy overlaps” with extremely low admit rates. Though some of Forbes’ “Private Ivies” may be slightly less competitive than some colleges in the Ivy League, their admission rates are not necessarily lower than Ivy ED admit rates. This list encourages hopeful students to add more colleges that deny 85% plus of their applicants to already too-long college lists. That's not helpful, and it adds stress to the application process.

The ED or REA rates of admission to Ivies are similar to the general admit rates of these schools. A few of these schools have somewhat higher ED rates, but like the Ivies, they get many applications from all over the world. Here’s the list, in order of selectivity: 

Boston College 15% overall, 30% ED

University of Notre Dame 11% overall, REA admit rate 15%

Carnegie Mellon University 11% overall, 12.5% ED

Emory University 11% overall, 32% ED

Georgetown University 10% overall, REA admit rate 12-15%

University of South California 10% overall, Both 9% ED/EA

Rice University 9% overall, 13%

Johns Hopkins University 8% overall, 15% ED

Northwestern University 7% overall, 20% ED (record high)

Vanderbilt University 6% overall, 15% ED

Forbes’ New “Public Ivies”

The “Ivy League” is a sports league of 8 colleges and 4 overlaps (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Stanford University and Duke University), but its notoriety is often based on student salary outcomes. Forbes has calculated those salary outcomes for alumni and applied them to 9 colleges it is calling “Public Ivies” that graduate students with similar results. Applications have soared at the colleges, especially in our world of test-optional admissions (though test scores matter). However, many applicants to these colleges are Ivy-caliber with regard to GPA, rigor, test scores, and activities. If you have wondered why admission has become so difficult at these institutions, that’s the reason. These public colleges are also considerably more affordable than their private counterparts. 

• Binghamton University (New York)

• Median earnings of $77,436 for alumni, out-of-state tuition of $26,160

• Georgia Institute of Technology

• Median earnings of $96,375 for alumni, out-of-state tuition of $32,940

• University of Florida

• Median earnings of $69,468 for alumni, out-of-state tuition of $28,658

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• Median earnings of $139,900 for alumni, out-of-state tuition $50,106

• University of Maryland – College Park

• Median earnings of $134,700 for alumni, out-of-state tuition $57,873

• University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

• Median earnings of $79,580 for alumni, out-of-state tuition of $58,072

• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

• Median earnings of $118,200 for alumni, out-of-state tuition of $53,810

• University of Texas – Austin

• Median earnings of $137,000 for alumni, out-of-state tuition of $59,618

• University of Virginia - Charlottesville

• Median earnings of $80,584 for alumni, out-of-state tuition $78,214 to $90,378

• University of Wisconsin – Madison

• Median earnings of $125,900 for alumni, out-of-state tuition of $56,625

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Important note: these are median salaries for alumni with 10 years of experience per Payscale, not for new graduates. I’ll share info about Forbes’ new Private Ivies soon.

How the LCS Process Prepares Students for College Success

Colleges say that today’s students arrive less prepared to handle tasks independently. Whether that's because of helicopter parenting (I get it-we all want our kids to be successful), teachers offering 2nd and 3rd chances to raise a grade, using AI to do work that requires thinking, or checking off tasks completed, filling in their test scores and admissions decisions in our software system (I take responsibility for that one), students count on the safety net for their responsibilities. At Less College Stress Consulting, we focus on the following:

Teaching proactivity: When I advise a student to reach out to admissions reps, make appointments, schedule interviews, and they do this on their own (that’s what colleges want to see…when I email reps, they ask for the student to contact them), it proves maturity and readiness to be successful if admitted. 

Approaching essays honestly: Writing demonstrates a logical thought process, so it is a major indicator of future college success. Can a student write a first draft after we draw them out and give them all the details and structure they need? Cohesive writing is considered a basic skill at college regardless of major. AI essays are (at least at this point) generally detectable because they are polished, but impersonal and vague. College standards are higher and plagiarism may have more severe consequences than it does in high school. 

Brainstorming extracurricular activity ideas: When we brainstorm, I ask “What interests you? “What are you curious about?” “Why?” Students who continue that conversation will found/join organizations, compete academically, or create opportunities for others to learn and grow. At college, they become leaders/creators, engage with their professors and peers, and earn opportunities for research and internships before thoughtfully considering careers. 

At every level, skills start with independent critical thinking–learning to know one’s self. While some students need more support, that’s fine. In the college counseling process, we encourage all students to work independently and dig deeper to help them build skills for college and career success.