How to boost your chances of getting into an Ivy League university as an Economics Major by joining the Economics World Cup 

Studying at an Ivy League university is a dream for many high schoolers. Unfortunately, competition is rising year after year and standing out from the crowd is getting harder than ever.

Admissions officers complain that students often have the same profile. “Everyone has started a finance club, joined a business group, and taken economics courses. Few applicants truly stand out, or make us feel that they are significantly ahead of the rest of the pack.”

If you want to become a successful applicant, you need to stand out. One of the most exciting ways you can distinguish yourself is by joining the Economics World Cup, which is a prestigious global competition that will not only hone your economics skills but will also give you something impressive to add on your Common Application. 

What is the Economics World Cup?

The Economics World Cup is the world’s most prestigious economics competition. What makes the EWC so unique is that it does not test economics knowledge; it tests economics thinking skills.

“The Economics World Cup is the only competition designed to test your ability to think like an economist, not your knowledge of economics.”

The Economics World Cup does not require any prior knowledge. Instead, you will be given a real-life economics case where you will have to apply your creativity and economics skills to solve a tangible problem facing a real economy. 

This competition is a unique platform where you can:

• Showcase Your Analytical Abilities: Dive deep into economic theories, policies, and quantitative analysis.
   

• Enhance Your Global Perspective: Learn how economic challenges vary across countries and cultures.
   

• Collaborate with Like-Minded Peers: Work with teams and build networks that extend far beyond your immediate academic circle.
   

Why the Economics World Cup Matters for Ivy League Aspirations

Get Featured in Business Insider

If you make it to the top 10 in the 1st round of the Economics World Cup, you will get the opportunity to be featured on Business Insider! This kind of recognition is reserved only for the very talented few, and will validate your achievements and allow you to be recognized as a world-class candidate when you submit your Common Applications this coming fall.

Intern in the Finance Department of StudyPDF

By participating at the Economics World Cup, you get a stellar opportunity to intern in the Finance Department of our sponsor, StudyPDF. With this internship, you will get an inside look into StudyPDF’s Series A fundraising efforts. You will get a chance to pitch to investors, attend board meetings, and build a network with seasoned finance professionals. Most Ivy League students strive to get jobs in Finance; by getting an internship before going to university, you are sure to impress your admissions officers!

Demonstrating Academic Excellence and Passion

Ivy League and other top institutions seek students who exhibit not only exceptional academic performance, but also a genuine passion for their field. Competing in the Economics World Cup highlights that you went above and beyond to explore your passion for economics, whilst also demonstrating to admissions officers that you have the ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and apply economic theories in practical contexts. Admissions officers recognize and reward these qualities as indicators of future success in rigorous academic environments.

Developing Leadership and Teamwork Skills

Participation in this competition will involve collaboration and communication. You will get a chance to work with a team and learn how to effectively communicate your solution in a way that reflects a concise transfer of knowledge. These are skill sets that will foster your leadership and teamwork skills, traits that elite institutions highly value.

Gaining a Competitive Edge Through Extracurricular Excellence

In addition to stellar grades and standardized test scores, extracurricular achievements play a critical role in Ivy League admissions. The Economics World Cup serves as a standout extracurricular activity that illustrates your commitment to economics beyond the classroom. You have the chance to literally become the 2025 Economics World Champion!

How to Leverage Your Experience in Your College Application

1. Highlight Your Role

Describe your involvement! Most students don't do this correctly. Whether you had a team leadership role, a noteworthy submission, or any particular challenge you overcame, write it down in specific and detailed terms. Quantify your accomplishments when possible (e.g., “Ranked in the top 5% among Economics World Cup participants), and explain how these experiences have shaped your understanding of economics.

2. Reflect on the Skills Gained

In your personal statement or supplementary essays, discuss how participating in the Economics World Cup enhanced your analytical and problem-solving skills. Reflect on real-world scenarios you encountered during the competition and relate them to your academic interests and future aspirations in economics.

3. Connect the Dots

Explain how the competition aligns with your long-term goals. Whether you’re interested in policy-making, academic research, or a career in finance, show how the skills and experiences from the Economics World Cup prepare you for the challenges ahead. Admissions committees appreciate candidates who have a clear vision for their future and a proven track record of pursuing their passion.

Conclusion

While there is no one-size-fits-all route to Ivy League admission, joining the Economics World Cup is an excellent way to build a compelling profile as an aspiring economics major. You get the opportunity to show world-class universities that you are indeed...a world-class applicant.

This year, the EWC Committee has partnered with Craig Holmes, an Economist and Academic at the University of Oxford. Unfortunately,  this means we have limited time to evaluate submissions. Therefore, we have made the painful decision to limit the number of teams that can participate this year.

We have a hard cap: we can only accept entries from 250 teams in the 2025 Economics World Cup. Therefore, if this opportunity interests you, make sure to sign up immediately!