Top five hardest universities to get into?

Hi folks, I'm putting together my college list right now and trying to decide on my reach schools. Could you help me figure out the top five hardest universities to get accepted into?

Sure, I can certainly share some insight. Although the overall difficulty of admissions can change a bit from year to year, generally speaking, the following universities have consistently had the most competitive admission rates, hence are among the toughest to get into:

1. Stanford University

2. Harvard University

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

5. University of Chicago

This doesn't mean that other schools aren't challenging to gain admission into, such as Yale, Princeton, and Columbia. Keep in mind, it's not only about how selective these schools are—what's really important is how you match up with what they're looking for in terms of academics, extracurriculars, and "fit."

Remember to round out your list with match and likely schools as well, in addition to your reaches. Despite the allure of these highly selective institutions, there are many other fantastic schools where you might find a great fit and have a wonderful college experience! Don't let acceptance rates be the only factor driving your choices. You're not just trying to get into college — you're looking for the right college where you can thrive and grow as a person.