University Acceptance Rates

With acceptances getting more competitive each year, I was wondering what the latest acceptance rates are for top universities in the US? I realize it varies from year to year but any insight would be helpful in gauging my chances.

While exact acceptance rates can fluctuate each year, I can give you a general idea of the rates for some top universities in the US. Keep in mind that these numbers are approximate and encompass both early and regular decision applicants. It's important to remember that lower acceptance rates don't necessarily mean better schools, but they do indicate the level of competition for admission.

1. Harvard University: ~3.5%

2. Stanford University: ~4%

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): ~4%

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): ~7%

5. Princeton University: ~5%

6. Yale University: ~4-5%

7. University of Pennsylvania: ~6%

8. Brown University: ~5-6%

9. Columbia University: ~4%

10. Duke University: ~6%

11. University of Chicago: ~5%

In addition to acceptance rates, it's crucial to consider factors such as available majors, campus culture, location, and financial aid offerings when evaluating colleges. It's also essential to remember that every applicant pool is different, so your chances depend on your unique qualifications and how they align with each school's criteria for admission. It's a good idea to research each college individually and visit if possible to get a better sense of whether it's a suitable fit for you.

Finally, I recommend applying to a mix of reach, target, and safety schools to maximize your chances of admission. Reach schools are those where your qualifications are below the average of acceptance, target schools are those where your qualifications would be in the middle 50% of accepted students, and safety schools are those where you are confident you will be admitted based on your qualifications being well above the average admitted student.