Hi, so I'm a bit of an ambitious junior at my school (don't we all?) and I am not bound by location for my college search. With that said, does anyone have a comprehensive list of the top hardest colleges to get into ranked across the US? Thanks!
Sure thing! Here are some of the most selective colleges, meaning they have the lowest acceptance rates in the US. Remember that a low acceptance rate doesn't necessarily mean the school is of higher quality or is a better fit for you. It’s important to focus on finding a college that aligns with your personal and academic goals. Below is a rough list, and the percentages might fluctuate a bit each year:
1. Stanford University (~4% acceptance rate)
2. Harvard University (~5% acceptance rate)
3. Columbia University (~5% acceptance rate)
4. Princeton University (~6% acceptance rate)
5. University of Chicago (~6% acceptance rate)
6. Yale University (~7% acceptance rate)
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (~7% acceptance rate)
8. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (~8% acceptance rate)
9. University of Pennsylvania (~8% acceptance rate)
10. Brown University (~8% acceptance rate)
I also want to highlight that while these are general acceptance rates, the rates can vary depending on a variety of factors including your intended major, whether you're in-state or out-of-state, and other unique aspects of your application. Remember that admission rates are just one part of the process and they don't take into account the richness of the student experience, the quality of education, or the opportunities available at different colleges and universities. In the end, it’s important to find a college that helps you meet your personal and academic goals. Good luck with your college search!
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