Which Colleges are Hardest to Get Into?

I've started making a list of colleges for applications and would like to know about the colleges that are notoriously hard to get into. Interested in both the stats and the experience of students who got in.

Several colleges come to mind when it comes to notorious selectivity. It's important to note that a college's admission rate, meaning the percentage of students accepted out of all applicants, is a significant indicator of its selectivity. But keep in mind that this figure doesn't capture everything; it's just one facet of the admissions process.

Probably the most well-known for their low acceptance rates are the Ivy League schools, which include Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, and Yale. These schools have acceptance rates often under 5%. Stanford University, MIT, and the University of Chicago also fall into this highly selective category.

Admission to these schools typically requires exceptionally strong academic profiles. This includes high GPAs (usually above 4.0 with weightings) and top percentile SAT or ACT scores (for the institutions that are not 'test-blind'). These schools are looking for students with an infusion of passion and dedication to something (or somethings) — often referred to as a "spike." For example, a successful applicant might be a top researcher in renewable energy solutions or a state champion in debate.

Additionally, these colleges often seek an extraordinary level of involvement in extracurricular activities (with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity), evidencing leadership, and impressive letters of recommendation. The application essays must also be top-notch, conveying the applicant's unique story and perspective.

For instance, a student who was accepted to Harvard could have been involved in a research project about black holes and had written their main essay about the struggle and subsequent joy of translating complex scientific ideas into digestible information for the public.

Remember that it is crucial to choose colleges which are the right fit for you, rather than exclusively focusing on how selective they are. You should aim to find institutions whose ethos, location, size, curriculum, and overall culture align with what you desire in a college experience. Consider a college's selectivity as just one of many factors in your decision-making process.