Hey guys, I'm a junior trying to figure out my college list. I've heard some colleges are particularly tough for out-of-state students - which one's are known to be the hardest? Could really use some insights!
In terms of state schools, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) are known to be particularly tough for out-of-state applicants. In 2020, UCLA was the most applied-to four-year university nationwide and the admission rates for out-of-state students tend to be lower than for in-state students.
Another school that can be quite competitive for out-of-state students is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill). This school has a policy limiting the percentage of out-of-state students in each freshman class to 18%. This makes UNC Chapel Hill one of the most difficult state schools for out-of-state students to gain admission to.
It's also worth mentioning University of Virginia (UVA) and University of Michigan (UMich). They may admit a larger proportion of out-of-state students compared to UNC Chapel Hill, but they're still quite competitive due to the high volume of applicants and the strength of the applicant pool.
Remember, don't be discouraged by these details. Admission to these schools is holistic and depends on various factors including your academic performance, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, and letters of recommendation. You should apply if you believe the school is a good fit for your personal and academic goals.
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