Ivy League Success and Beyond: Celebrating Our Students’ Early Admission Triumphs

At Bonas MacFarlane, our highly discrete and personalised US college admissions service has guided students through the intricacies of the early admission process, where applicants demonstrate their commitment to a particular school as their first or leading choice. The results speak for themselves: this year, our talented students secured places at Harvard, Yale, Northeastern, Duke, and now Columbia—all their first-choice schools.

What sets us apart is our dedication to supporting every applicant, regardless of their background or aspirations. While we’ve celebrated Ivy League acceptances, we are equally proud to have helped students secure spots at lesser-known yet highly competitive universities. These institutions, while outside the Ivy League spotlight, offer rigorous academics and transformative opportunities.

Bonas MacFarlane continues to play a critical role in the American admissions process, a journey we began 25 years ago when we assisted our first applicant to Harvard. Today, we remain as committed as ever to helping students achieve their academic dreams, whether they aspire to the Ivy League or other world-class institutions.

Congratulations to all our students for their hard work, ambition, and remarkable success!

Since writing the piece below, we’re thrilled to share that one of our full-contract students has also received an Early Decision offer from Columbia University. This incredible achievement adds another Ivy League school to an already impressive list of acceptances!

For all US College enquiries please email Ingrid Clover ([email protected])

The Ivy League is a group of eight private colleges and universities in the northeastern United States that are renowned for their academic excellence, selective admissions, and historic prestige. Originally, the term “Ivy League” referred to an athletic conference formed in 1954, but over time, it has become synonymous with high academic standards and elite status in American higher education.

The Ivy League Schools:

  1. Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
  2. Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut)
  3. Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey)
  4. Columbia University (New York City, New York)
  5. University of Pennsylvania (Penn) (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
  6. Dartmouth College (Hanover, New Hampshire)
  7. Brown University (Providence, Rhode Island)
  8. Cornell University (Ithaca, New York)

Key Characteristics:

  • Academic Prestige: Ivy League schools consistently rank among the top universities in the world.
  • Selective Admissions: Admission rates are low, making these schools highly competitive.
  • Strong Alumni Networks: Graduates benefit from influential networks in various industries.
  • Historic Campuses: Many of these institutions were founded in the 17th and 18th centuries and feature iconic architecture.
  • Comprehensive Education: They offer a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

While the Ivy League is often associated with exclusivity and privilege, the schools also emphasise diversity, financial aid, and access for talented students from all backgrounds.