What are the most elite colleges in the U.S.?

As a rising junior, I'm starting to really think about what kind of college I want to go to. I know there's more to college than rankings and prestige, but I'm just curious - what are considered some of the most elite colleges in America?

When it comes to elite colleges in the United States, there are a handful that consistently come up in discussions due to their high academic standards, challenging coursework, notable faculty, and network of successful alumni. These often fall within the category of what's known as the "Ivy League," which includes 8 Northeastern institutions: Harvard University, Princeton University, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Brown University, Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University.

Outside of the Ivy League, there are other top-tier, non-Ivy institutions sometimes referred to as "the Little Ivies," such as Amherst College and Williams College. Additionally, some prestigious and selective universities are located outside of the Northeast, such as Stanford University and the University of Chicago.

However, keep in mind that these schools provide an academically rigorous environment which may not be suitable for everyone. In addition, there are many high-ranking liberal arts colleges known for their excellent undergraduate education and close-knit community such as Pomona College and Swarthmore College.

Also worth noting are top tech/research universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and California Institute of Technology (Caltech), which are known for their STEM programs.

Remember that the prestige of a college or university is not the only factor to consider when selecting a school. Make sure to take into account aspects such as the campus culture, location, size, resources, and if it has strong programs in your areas of interest. Each student is unique and what may be the perfect school for one person may not be the perfect fit for another.