Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior exploring my college options. Can somebody help me with specific data on the top 20 hardest colleges to get into in the US? I would love any additional information on admission requirements, the strength of applicants who get in, etc. Thanks!
Sure, I'm glad to help. Here are some of the most competitive colleges and universities in the United States, as of the 2024-2025 application cycle. Remember that admission rates are fluid and can change each year. The numbers provided are approximate and may vary a bit based on specific annual report data.
1. Stanford University (Stanford) — about 3.9% acceptance rate
2. Harvard University (Harvard) — about 3.6%
3. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) — about 4%
4. Columbia University (Columbia) — about 3.8%
5. The University of Chicago (UChicago) — about 5.4%
6. Princeton University (Princeton) — about 4%
7. Yale University (Yale) — about 4.6%
8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) — about 4%
9. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) — about 7.4%
10. Brown University (Brown) — about 5.1%
11. Dartmouth College (Dartmouth) — about 6.4%
12. Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins) — about 7.3%
13. Duke University (Duke) — about 6.3%
14. Northwestern University (Northwestern) — around 7.1%
15. Vanderbilt University (Vanderbilt) — around 9.6%
16. Cornell University (Cornell) — about 10.9%
17. Rice University (Rice) — about 11.1%
18. University of Southern California (USC) — about 11.4%
19. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) — about 14.8%
20. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) — about 14.3%
This list is compiled based on acceptance rates, but remember that admission to these schools is highly complex and considers many other factors. The Academic Index, application strength, course rigor, test scores (where applicable), and extracurricular involvement are all important. Universities in general, including these, are looking for students who demonstrate academic potential, leadership, commitment, and a potential for future success.
Additionally, because these schools are so competitive, they often require a 'spike' or a highly-developed specialty from the candidates - proof that they've achieved a considerable level of success in a given field. Additionally, admissions to such competitive colleges heavily emphasize the applicant's fit with the school, as gauged through essays and recommendation letters. Always remember to consider fit when evaluating your college options. These schools are prestigious, but they might not necessarily be the best fit for your personal and academic goals.
I would advise you to conduct more specific research on each of the schools, their particular application requirements, and their admitted student profile. You might find common data sets or CollegeVine's school profiles helpful in this respect.
Best of luck with your search and application process!
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