The Definitive* Source
Who's more cracked?
Rivyalry is a head-to-head voting game for Ivy League builders. Two profiles show up. You pick who's more cracked — or call it a tie, or skip. That's it. Votes feed an ELO rating system, and a live leaderboard settles the discourse once and for all.
It's not a job board. It's not a LinkedIn replacement. It's the thing you send to your group chat at 1 AM to start an argument.
*Not actually definitive. Please do not cite this on your resume.
How it works
Four steps. No sign-up. No commitment. Pure judgment.
Two profiles appear
You see two Ivy League builders side by side — name, school, experience, the works. Identities are hidden at first for dramatic effect.
You reveal & vote
Click to reveal, then cast your vote: left wins, right wins, equal, or skip. Keyboard shortcuts (A, L, E, S) if you're speedrunning.
ELO updates instantly
Both players' ratings adjust based on the outcome and the strength of their opponent. Beat someone ranked higher? Big gains.
Leaderboard shifts
The leaderboard re-ranks in real time. Screenshot it. Send it to your friends. Argue about it in Duffield.
The rating system
We use ELO — the same system chess uses to rank grandmasters. Except here it ranks Ivy League builders by vibes.
Starting rating
1200
Everyone starts equal. Your votes decide who climbs.
K-factor
32
How volatile ratings are. High enough to be exciting, low enough to stabilize.
How gains work
- ↑Beat someone ranked higher than you? Massive rating boost. The upset special.
- →Beat someone ranked similarly? Modest gain. Fair fight, fair reward.
- ↓Beat someone ranked way below you? Barely moves the needle. You were supposed to win.
Ties split the difference. Skips don't count.
Matchup selection
Matchups aren't random. The algorithm prefers pairing players with similar ratings for competitive matches, balances exposure so the same people don't show up constantly, and adds a recency penalty to avoid repeat matchups. It's designed to feel fresh every time.
FAQ
Questions we've been asked, and some we made up.
Is this serious?
No. This is a social game for fun. It's not an objective measure of anything. Please don't use it to make hiring decisions, romantic choices, or existential judgments about your self-worth.
How do I get on the leaderboard?
You get nominated or submit yourself. We curate profiles to keep the pool interesting and balanced — not everyone who applies will be added immediately.
Can I get removed?
Yes, instantly. No questions asked. Just reach out and we'll take your profile down. Opt-out is always available.
Can I see who voted for me?
No. Votes are anonymous. You can see your rating and record, but not individual votes. Democracy is sacred.
What does "cracked" mean?
It's intentionally vague. Could mean technical skill, hustle, resume strength, general aura, or some ineffable combination. You decide what it means when you vote.
Can I vote multiple times?
You can vote in as many matchups as you want — that's the point. But you can't vote on the same matchup repeatedly. We have anti-abuse measures.
Why ELO and not just total votes?
Total votes reward popularity, not quality. ELO rewards consistency against strong opponents. It's the difference between being famous and being good.
Is this just for CS majors?
No. Any builder at an Ivy League school can be ranked. CS, quant, startup founders, researchers — crackedness transcends majors and schools.
The fine print
Rivyalry is a student-built social game. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of any Ivy League university, employer, or organization listed on player profiles.
Rankings are generated entirely by anonymous peer votes and reflect nothing other than the collective opinion of voters. They are not measures of intelligence, competence, character, or worth.
If you want your profile removed, email remove@rivyalry.com and we'll handle it immediately. No hard feelings, no questions asked.