The Ivy League formed as an athletic conference in 1954 between 8 private universities in the northeastern USA: Harvard (Cambridge, MA), Yale (New Haven, CT), Princeton (Princeton, NJ), Columbia (New York, NY), University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA), Brown (Providence, RI), Cornell (Ithaca, NY) and Dartmouth (Hanover, NH). Over time it became a synonym for academic excellence. The "Big Three" (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) are traditionally the most prestigious and selective.

5 of the 8 are need-blind for all applicants, including Romanians: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown (from the Class of 2029) and Dartmouth. These do not take your financial capacity into account at admission and cover 100 percent of demonstrated need. The other 3 (Columbia, UPenn, Cornell) are need-aware for international students, but all those admitted receive 100 percent need met. The practical takeaway: if you need a large scholarship, prioritize the 5 need-blind universities.

The sticker price (official cost) is between 85,000 USD and 95,000 USD per year. For Romanians with a family income under 75,000 USD, Harvard and Yale fully cover tuition plus housing (net cost close to zero). Under 100,000 USD family income, the net cost is typically 0-15,000 USD per year. Princeton replaces all loans with grants. Important: 100 percent meet need also applies to the need-aware universities (Columbia, UPenn, Cornell) if you are admitted.

ED is binding: if you are admitted you must enroll. 5 Ivies have ED: Brown, Columbia, UPenn, Cornell, Dartmouth. REA is non-binding: you can decide until May. 3 Ivies have REA: Harvard, Yale, Princeton. For Romanians: with ED you commit to paying whatever tuition they offer, without comparing scholarship offers. With REA you can wait for all the offers. If you need a large scholarship, choose REA or Regular Decision. Early rates are 2-3 times higher than Regular.

A typical strategy for an ambitious applicant: 4-6 Ivy universities plus 4-6 top non-Ivy (MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Duke) plus 2-3 target universities plus 2-3 safety. Total 12-15 applications (the Common App allows a maximum of 20). For Early: a single ED application (binding) or a single REA at one of the Big Three. Do not copy other people's lists; choose based on the academic, geographic and financial fit for you.

The Big Three are comparable in prestige and all are need-blind for international students. Harvard is a generalist, strong in business, medicine, law, government, with the largest alumni network. Yale is the strongest for humanities, drama, law and IR. Princeton is the smallest and most focused on undergraduate education, top for math, physics, economics and public policy, and replaces all loans with grants. All 3 have admission rates under 5 percent.

Yes, but it is riskier than at Harvard, Yale or Princeton. Cornell and UPenn are need-aware for international students, so if you ask for a large scholarship, your admission chances drop. But if you are admitted, you receive 100 percent of need met (at UPenn through grants, without loans). Strategically: apply to the 5 need-blind universities as a priority and to Cornell, UPenn or Columbia as secondary options if your academic profile is very strong.

No, but it is an important component. Admission is based on a holistic profile: 1) the high school transcript (grades 9-12, ideally averages above 9.50), 2) SAT or ACT (required at most, target 1500+ SAT), 3) TOEFL or IELTS (target TOEFL 100+ or IELTS 7.0+), 4) personal statement (650 words), 5) specific supplemental essays, 6) 2 recommendations from teachers plus 1 from a counselor, 7) extracurricular activities, leadership, awards. The Baccalaureate appears as a final confirmation of graduation after admission.