Hardest Colleges to get Accepted into?

So, just out of curiosity, which colleges in the US are the most difficult to get accepted into? I'm not necessarily talking about the Ivy League - are there any other noteworthy and competitive schools that are tough to get into? TIA!

Hi! Great question. While Ivy League schools tend to be considered the most competitive in terms of admissions, there are definitely other prestigious and highly selective institutions in the US. Here are a few examples:

1. Stanford University - With a consistently low acceptance rate, usually well under 5%, Stanford is certainly one of the most selective universities in the country.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - As a leading institution in technology and engineering, MIT is highly sought after, and has maintained a single-digit acceptance rate for many years.

3. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) - Known for its small class sizes and cutting-edge research, Caltech also has an acceptance rate in the single digits.

4. University of Chicago - Known for its strong focus on academics and rigorous curriculum, the University of Chicago has an acceptance rate that has lately hovered around 6-8%.

5. Duke University - With top-tier programs in business and engineering, as well as in fields across the humanities, STEM, and social sciences, Duke is another institution with a single-digit acceptance rate.

6. Northwestern University - Home to strong programs in journalism, business, and performing arts, Northwestern is another top university with a single-digit acceptance rate.

7. Pomona College - As one of the leading liberal arts colleges, Pomona has a low acceptance rate typically under 10%, which reflects the draw of its strong academics and tight-knit community.

Of course, these are just a few examples, and there are many other elite institutions with competitive admissions, such as Johns Hopkins University, Amherst College, and, like you said, the eight Ivy League schools, to name a few. Also remember, though, that while acceptance rates can indicate something about the quality of a school, as generally the more desirable schools have more resources to offer, it's essential to identify the colleges that are the best fit for your academic, extracurricular, and personal preferences, rather than focusing exclusively on selectivity. Best of luck with your college search!