Skip to main content
What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Hardest Ivy League to Get Into?

Just curious here – which Ivy League school is considered the hardest to get into? I know they all have pretty low acceptance rates, but is there one that stands out as being the most competitive? I'm considering applying to a few of them and just want to know what to expect.

11 months ago

As of the most recent admissions cycles, it is generally considered that Harvard University has been the toughest to gain admission to, closely followed by Yale University and Princeton University. These three institutions are often regarded as the "Big Three" due to their consistently low acceptance rates, prestige, and selectivity.

However, it's essential to understand that the difficulty of gaining admission to any of these top institutions can vary from year to year and is influenced by factors like the number of applications received, the qualifications of applicants, and the specific goals and needs of each university's incoming class. While these schools generally have tightly competitive acceptance rates, what might be the most challenging for one applicant could be different for another based on their academic and extracurricular profile.

Regardless of which Ivy League school you choose to apply to, it's crucial to present a strong application with high grades, test scores (if required), exceptional extracurricular activities, and impactful essays. Keep in mind that it's important to apply to a college because it is a good fit for you and your goals and not just because of its prestige or competitiveness.

11 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.