Most selective colleges, what does it take?

Hey people, throwing this out, what can you tell me about the most selective colleges? What's it like trying to get into one? I know the big names like Harvard and Princeton must be on the list, but what other schools should I know about? I've got very decent grades and a solid list of extracurriculars. Any tips are appreciated, thanks!

Hello! When it comes to applying to highly selective colleges, you're not only competing against other high-achieving students with strong academic records but also demonstrating a strong interest and capability in a particular field. Having strong grades is a start, but you'll also want to be achieving at the highest levels in your chosen field or interest, displaying what's known as a "spike" of excellence.

You mentioned you're involved in some extracurricular activities, which is important. However, top-tier colleges are interested in students who demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership in these activities. You can refer to the 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars to better understand where your activities might land. Aim for activities in the top two tiers, which showcase national-level achievement or leadership roles.

Also, it's important to familiarize yourself with a few more details about the selectivity. This usually involves an Academic Index, which is a number representing the strength of your grades, test scores, and class rank. While schools do not publish their Academic Index values, comparing the academic profile of accepted students to your own can give an estimate of whether you fall within range.

More selective colleges, besides Harvard and Princeton, Yale, Stanford, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth, the University of Chicago, MIT, and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) also belong to this bucket due to their low acceptance rates.

Moreover, take note that a strong application to these schools not only showcases academic and extracurricular achievement but also includes thoughtful and well-crafted essays. The personal statement and supplements are your chance to show admissions officers who you are as a person, beyond your resume. So, make sure you avoid generic topics and instead go for a unique narrative that expresses your personality and experiences.

Finally, consider the test requirements for these colleges. As of the 2025-2026 application cycle, Dartmouth, Harvard, Yale, Brown, and Caltech are asking for SAT or ACT scores. However, Columbia and the University of Chicago, among others, remain test-optional.

Admission into highly selective schools is a challenging process, but with the right preparation and commitment, you have a shot! Good luck!