Ivy League Schools?

I am a Senior in high school, and naturally it is time for me to apply to colleges, and of course, I am considering the Ivy League schools as options





First off, out of all the Ivy League schools, which are the most difficult to get into (i.e. have the strictest requirements) and which of those are relatively easier?





Also, what would you say are some good alternatives to Ivy League schools? I've been considering NYU and Johns Hopkins as examples, and wanted to know if there are others.





Finally, this doesn't specifically apply to Ivy League schools, but for Colleges in general, do they see your Senior term grades (perhaps for first term?)





Thanks for your help.

Ivy League Schools?
Ivy Leagues all have similar standards, which makes them...well, Ivy League. They're all ridiculously selective, almost arbitrarily so as they are able to choose from the cream of the crop. I would say that out of all of them, Harvard and Princeton are probably the most selective. There is no "relative easier" one to get into because they are all very very very very selective. However, my cousin applied to Harvard and got waitlisted, but got accepted to UPenn, so that may mean something and it may not.





I go to Northwestern University and it is definitely a good alternative to an Ivy. The people here are amazing, as are the professors, and it's Ivy League caliber without the cattiness and "old boys" sentiment. It's rigorous, highly respected, and located in one of the best cities in the world.





Whether or not colleges see your senior year grades depends on when you are applying. They are going to see all of your grades eventually because once you graduate, you have to send them an updated transcript. If you apply late (think April 1), then schools are going to see your fall semester grades. The grades that matter most, at least at first, are your junior year grades.