Flexing on Princeton Review's Hardest Colleges List

Hey folks, was thumbing through some stuff the other day and came across Princeton Review's ranking of 'hardest colleges to get into'. Does anyone have thoughts or takes on this? How accurate do you think it is?

Hello! It's always interesting to review different rankings because methodologies can vary wildly from source to source. Princeton Review's "hardest colleges to get into" ranking primarily uses acceptance rate and the average standardized test scores of admitted students in ranking colleges.

While these metrics do provide an idea of how competitive admissions at these schools can be, they don't tell the whole story. Other factors like grade trends, the effectiveness of the applicant's essays, letters of recommendation, and the quality of extracurriculars also play instrumental roles in the admission process.

The "spike" concept, or having a well-developed specialty, is widely appreciated at top colleges. Also, institutions like Dartmouth, Harvard, Brown, and Yale are transitioning back to requiring standardized test scores for the 2024-2025 application cycle. So, changes in test mandatory policies can significantly influence how difficult it might be to gain admission to these colleges.

It's important to remember that what makes a school difficult to get into can vary substantially from student to student based on individual strengths and interests. Therefore, it's best to consider such lists as only one of many tools to guide your college search rather than a definitive ranking. Start by identifying colleges that are strong in your potential major(s) and also line up with your personal beliefs, values, and preferences. Then, dissect the admission criteria of each school to see where you stand.

Lastly, keep in mind that a lower acceptance rate doesn't always mean a better school or a better fit. Many students find their perfect college match in schools with higher acceptance rates. Happy college hunting!