Toughest colleges to get into in the USA?

Hi! Was hoping y'all could help me out here. I'm doing some research on colleges and would love to know, what's considered the most selective college in the USA? Thanks in advance.

The definition of "most selective" can vary, but typically it's understood as colleges with the lowest acceptance rates overall. Here are some notorious institutions for their incredibly low acceptance rates, commonly known as the most competitive or hardest colleges to get into in the USA:

1. Stanford University: Known for its hard-hitting academics and cutting-edge research, Stanford is typically seen as one of the top picks. The acceptance rate for Stanford is incredibly low, often below 5%.

2. Harvard University: As an Ivy League institution, Harvard has a reputation for being one of the hardest colleges to get into in the USA.

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): This prestigious institution specializing in STEM fields often has an acceptance rate around or slightly over 5%.

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): Similar to MIT, Caltech is highly renowned for its STEM programs and is incredibly selective.

5. University of Chicago: Although not an Ivy League, UChicago has seen its acceptance rates drop dramatically over the past few years and is now one of the most selective schools in the US.

6. Princeton University: Another Ivy League school, Princeton consistently ranks at the top of many lists for academic prestige, making it incredibly selective.

Each of these universities has different variables to consider like application type, the profile of the candidate, and the program applied to. Remember, getting into these competitive schools isn't just about grades and test scores. The expertise in a particular field or "spike", impactful extracurriculars, and the ability to present oneself in the application essays and interviews effectively are equally important.