Want to Get Into the Ivy League? Start with Graduate School

Dreaming of an Ivy League education? For many international students and professionals, applying to graduate school is the most effective path. Learn why graduate-level Ivy League degrees matter for careers in law, medicine, business, and the arts.

Why Graduate School Is the Smart Path to the Ivy League

In the U.S., your final degree matters most when it comes to careers and salary. Statistics show that people with a master’s or doctoral degree tend to earn more. That’s why, if you want a prestigious academic background, applying to the Ivy League at the graduate level is a highly recommended strategy.

Is New York City a Society Obsessed with Credentials?

It depends. In Manhattan, the answer is often yes. Your alma mater can strongly influence how people perceive your skills and potential.

For elite professions such as:

• Law
• Medicine
• Finance and Investment
• Scientific Research
• IT, Arts, and Literature

—an Ivy League degree can be a huge advantage.

For example, an American friend studied Japanese Literature at the University of Pennsylvania and is now working in education in Asia. Graduating from the Ivy League not only builds expertise but also boosts confidence.

Why Ivy League Training Matters in Law

One of my piano students in New York is a Columbia University–educated corporate lawyer. He explained that becoming a top legal advisor requires the intense training, resources, and discipline that only top universities provide.

He emphasized the importance of:

• Strong skills in document preparation
• Organizational abilities
• Rigorous training to avoid errors
• Access to rich legal resources and networks

This confirmed my belief that for law and similar professions, Ivy League training is invaluable.

The Ivy League Circle in Manhattan

Most of my adult piano students in Manhattan are professionals—lawyers, doctors, professors—and many are Ivy League graduates. It’s common in certain New York circles for parents to have graduated from schools like Columbia, Harvard, Yale, or top California universities such as UC Berkeley or UCLA.

The Ivy League often signals a certain level of achievement, especially in elite fields.

Companies That Invest in Graduate Education

Graduate school is not just about personal ambition. In many cases, U.S. companies will sponsor tuition if the degree helps build necessary expertise.

For instance, one of my friends worked at the School of Visual Arts in New York, and later pursued a graduate degree at Columbia University’s Teachers College—with tuition fully covered by the institution.

This shows that Ivy League graduate study isn’t only for the wealthy—it can also be supported by employers who see it as an investment.

Is Graduate School Worth It

From personal experience, I believe the answer is yes. Graduate school deepens your expertise in ways that an undergraduate degree cannot. It allows you to:

• Focus on specialized research
• Build professional networks
• Gain access to resources and mentors at the highest level

For those aiming for elite careers or international opportunities, an Ivy League graduate degree can be transformative.

Final Thoughts

If you want to enter the Ivy League, consider graduate school as your path. While undergraduate admission can be extremely competitive and sometimes linked to wealth or family background, graduate programs focus more on merit, research interests, and professional goals.

With the right preparation, funding opportunities, and career alignment, an Ivy League graduate degree can open doors to careers in law, medicine, business, research, and beyond.