Hardest universities to get accepted into in each US state

Hi guys, I've been thinking about my college applications and just wondering - what are commonly considered the most difficult universities to get into in each state in the US? As a junior trying to finalize my college list, I think this information will help me in shaping a balanced list of reach, target, and safety schools.

Sure! While it would be quite extensive to list the hardest university to get into for every U.S. state, here are some of the toughest schools to get accepted into from a select group of states:

1. California: Stanford University is known for its low acceptance rate and rigorous academic standards.

2. Massachusetts: Harvard University, with its rich history and prestige, tends to be extremely competitive.

3. New York: Columbia University, an Ivy League institution, is notoriously difficult to get admitted into.

4. Connecticut: Yale University is another Ivy League school with a low acceptance rate.

5. Pennsylvania: The University of Pennsylvania, one more Ivy League, tends to be very selective.

6. Illinois: The University of Chicago is a top-tier university and can be tough to get into.

7. New Jersey: Princeton University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities, is famously selective.

8. North Carolina: Duke University has a very competitive acceptance rate.

9. Texas: Rice University is often considered the most selective in Texas.

10. Indiana: The University of Notre Dame is not easy to get into with its high academic standards.

It's important to remember that admission rates and selectivity can change each year based on the applicant pool. It's also crucial to note that being "difficult to get into" doesn't make one school better or worse than another. Sometimes, a school that's a better fit for your career and academic goals might not be the one that's hardest to get into.

When creating your list of colleges, make it balanced. Your Reach schools are more selective universities (may have lower than a 25% acceptance rate). Target schools are those where your academic credentials fall close to or slightly above the school's averages and can have an acceptance rate of 25-60%. Safety schools are colleges where your academic qualifications exceed the school's range for the average first-year student and they would typically have an acceptance rate greater than 60%. You should have a few schools from each category on your list.

It's important to pick colleges that fit your academic and career goals irrespective of their acceptance rate. Understand the universities and their programs, connect with current students or alumni if you can, and make an informed choice. Good luck!