There is a great deal of confusion about the “Academic Index” used in the Ivy League, what it means and how it’s applied.
We asked our admissions consultants to shed some light on this important matter in Ivy League admissions.
Key Facts About the Ivy League Academic Index
Exclusively for Athletes
Within the Ivy League, the Academic Index (AI) is used exclusively for athletes to ensure that their average grades and scores fall within a comparable range to the overall applicant pool.
Athletes who fall below this range would generally not be eligible for admission.
Academic Index Formula
The AI is a formula based on:
- Grades (weighted GPA or unweighted, depending on the school)
- Class Rank (if available)
- Standardized Test Scores
Some Ivy League schools have adapted to the increase in test-optional applicants by considering alternate metrics for those who do not submit standardized test scores.
Update: Test-optional policies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic are still in place for several Ivy League schools, and they may impact how the AI is calculated for applicants who do not submit test scores. For these schools, alternate metrics may be used, such as GPA trends or other academic achievements.
Academic Index Range
Different sports may have a different range within the academic index to work with and may change from year to year depending on need.
Does An Acceptable Academic Index Guarantee Admission?
An athlete who falls within the acceptable index range for any team is not guaranteed admission to the college.
The admissions office conducts a regular review of the application which also includes essays, other extracurricular activities, and recommendations.
Although a college coach may identify a particular student as a desired recruit, the final determination rests with the college admissions office.
Are Online Academic Index Calculators Accurate?
There are a number of “AI Calculators” that can be found online. Most of these are inaccurate and can lead you to believe that a decision is based solely on the AI, which is false.
While some tools claim to estimate your AI, they often rely on outdated metrics, such as the old SAT (pre-2016) or lack updated components for the new digital SAT introduced in 2023. Additionally, calculators rarely account for the nuanced adjustments made by Ivy League schools for test-optional applicants or non-standard class ranking systems. You can read more about the Digital SAT here.
As with most of the College Admissions process, there are layers of nuance when it comes to the Ivy League Academic Index. If you’re considering applying to an elite college, finding the best college admissions consultant for you can make a significant impact. Consider contacting us today!
Originally published in November 2020, edited and updated by one of our admissions consultants before being republished in January 2025
Former Admissions Officer at Johns Hopkins University
Former Assistant Director of Admissions at St. Mary's College of Maryland
1 Year in Johns Hopkins University Admissions
2 Years in St. Mary's College of Maryland Admissions
3,500+ Applications Read and Evaluated
After graduating with his BS in Economics from St. Mary's College of Maryland, Anoi spent 3 years reading domestic and international applications for his alma mater and Johns Hopkins University.
