Most exclusive colleges in America?

Hello everyone, just a curious student here. I'm wondering about the most exclusive colleges in the U.S. By 'exclusive', I mean those colleges that admit a very small percentage of applicants. Not just because I want to shoot for the stars but more so, I want to know what such schools are looking for in their students. Any thoughts?

The acceptance rate of a college is one indicator of its exclusivity. A few of the colleges with notoriously low acceptance rates include Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, and Princeton University. For these schools, the acceptance rates float around the single digits.

However, this doesn't imply that with a strong profile you wouldn't be a competitive applicant. Things that these colleges value immensely in their applicants include:

1. Academic Excellence: This includes not just grades and test scores, but also a rigorous course load. For example, if your high school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, these colleges would likely expect you to have taken some to show that you're challenging yourself with the most rigorous coursework available.

2. Well Articulated Spike: Rather than being well-rounded, top colleges are often looking for students who show exceptional capacity and achievement in a particular interest or discipline.

3. Unique and Compelling Essays: Successful applicants commonly have unique and engaging essays. Remember, each essay is an opportunity to reveal something new about yourself. Avoid cliche topics and focus on personal growth and self-reflection.

4. A Strong Sense of Fit: You'll need to convincingly portray why that particular school is a good fit for you. This would be showcased in "why this college" essays or even implicitly through your choice of activities and academic interests.

5. Impressive Letters of Recommendation: These letters should paint a picture of you as a person, student, and member of your high school community.

6. Quality and distinction in Extracurricular Activities: Highly selective colleges also look for depth of participation in extracurricular activities - they appreciate longstanding, passionate commitment to one or two activities, and leadership roles are always a bonus.

Keep in mind, highly selective colleges could potentially reject a candidate who seems perfect on paper if they don't seem like a good fit for the institution or if they don't stand out in the sea of well-qualified applicants. It's about standing out with your unique set of passions, experiences, and perspectives.