The United States' eight Ivy League institutions boast a decidedly difficult acceptance process, and that process is made more difficult for Latino youth and other non-whites who are frequently propositioned with disparities and discrimination. However, there are ways for Latinos and non-whites to confidently plan for future at an Ivy League institution.

The University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College and Harvard University's acceptance rates are low. Harvard University accepted just 5.9 percent of applicants and Cornell University accepted a whopping 15.9 percent, which is by far the highest acceptance rate among the Ivy's. Approximately 90 percent of the intelligent applicants aren't accepted into one or all of these top tier universities.

The difference between those who are accepted and those who are not is based on choices that begin as early as the freshman year of high school, or middle school. Early starters commit themselves to college research, a planning process, and they prepare for standardized tests, according to the Be A Leader Foundation.

Establishing impressive grades, smart test scores, and developing powerful leadership skills is essential for a clear education path. Also, fascinating extracurriculars, college preparatory programs and challenging AP and IB coursework (preferably with college-minded friends) will prepare students for four years at a competitive institution. Unfortunately, many Latino students have to meet academic challenges while confronting disparities due to education gaps, and many have to work harder to access vital college material that's freely distributed to white students who live in more affluent neighborhoods.

Then, Latino student have the increased trial of not only making the right academic choices, but they have educate themselves on the programs available to them and they must learn the requirements regarding admission for wherever school they might apply. Often, this is done alone, particularly when students aren't provided effective academic counselors in school or when they're the first in their family to attend college.

It's important to note that some parents, predominately those who are foreign-born, don't realize that the local education offered by a community college differs from the education earned at a high-end school. The education from Ivy League college will prove to offer improved education and financial outcomes and there will also be social benefits. For this reason, it's important for students to communicate the importance of elite education to family, explaining the difference between a community college education and education at an Ivy League school. Also, Ivy Leagues should make more of an effort to reach out to Latino students and their parents, which would encourage Latino families to see the benefit of a prestigious education.

Latino students from low-income families shouldn't shy away from applying to Ivy Leagues. Nonetheless, they do. Not necessarily due to the challenging education that it proposes, but the $30,000/semester price tag that's tacked onto the Ivy League experience. However, what many low-income students don't know is that Ivy League schools and other highly selective universities provide generous financial aid packages to students from low-earning families. Also, Ivy Leagues are made more accessible by organizations that equip Latinos with the tools and the language to discuss what they really want in a top college or university.

Excelencia in Education is a not-for-profit organization that looks to accelerate Latino student success in high education by promoting education policies and institutional practices that support their academic achievement, and it urges Latino youth toward success.

The Arizona Ivy League Project has built a network of support that ensures academic success for economically disadvantaged and high-achieving students, and it empowers students to attend the nation's leading institutions of higher education, while giving back to the community.

The Be A Leader Foundation offers a positive learning environment to students and a college-focused mentality that helps participants to develop their high school and college educational plan. And Bright Prospect works to guide outstanding low-income students to the nation's top-ranked universities.

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