When you are aiming for top colleges, just having great grades and test scores might not be enough. The most selective schools have super tough standards and only take a tiny fraction of applicants. But why are some colleges so much harder to get into?
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The toughest colleges have been around for ages and have built up a top-notch reputation over time. They have got a mix of top-notch academics, a huge chunk of money, and famous alumni and professors. All of this adds up to a long track record of success and innovation.
While Ivy League schools are known for being super hard to get into, other top-tier schools like Stanford and MIT also have really low admission rates. Even though they are not in the Ivy League, they offer awesome research opportunities and top-notch degree programs.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, lots of schools have ditched the requirement for standardized tests temporarily or even permanently. This means more people are applying. It is making it even tougher to get accepted to colleges. Acceptance rates are at some of the lowest levels ever in the U.S. Let’s learn more about these colleges in this article.
Why Are These Colleges So Hard to Get Into?
When you apply to really prestigious universities, you know it is going to be tough. But there are a few that are even more competitive than the rest.
These places have super strict admissions standards. They only pick the absolute best applicants. They get tons of applications for just a handful of spots, so they can afford to be picky.
Most of the hardest colleges to get into have been around for a long time. They have earned their top-notch reputation by focusing on academic excellence, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities.
Their professors are all experts in their fields. They have been chosen because they are the best of the best. And a lot of these universities have famous alumni, too.
List of Top 13 Hardest Colleges To Get Into
These colleges are highly desirable and provide excellent opportunities in the US. Let’s have a look at some of them.
1. Pomona College
If you manage to get into Pomona College, you will be experiencing one of the best liberal arts educations around. It is located in Claremont, California. It is like those top-notch schools in the Northeast.
Pomona College is known as the top school among the Claremont Consortium. If you are one of the lucky ones who get accepted, you will be getting a super rigorous education in liberal arts.
- Location: Claremont, CA
- Acceptance rate: 7%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1470-1570 SAT, 33-34 ACT
2. Dartmouth College
Dartmouth College is one of the toughest schools to get into. It has a 6% acceptance rate for the class of 2026. Out of over 28,000 applicants, only around 1,700 are accepted.
Just like other Ivy League schools, Dartmouth takes a close look at all parts of your application. They want to see how you have done in high school, your grades, and how challenging your classes were.
You can also send in extra stuff like awards or any other achievements you are proud of. There is also a special writing part where you can explain more about yourself and why you think Dartmouth is the right fit for you.
- Location: Hanover, NH
- Acceptance rate: 6%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1550 SAT, 33-35 ACT
3. Princeton University
Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey. It is a medium-sized private university with about 5,321 undergraduates. It is quite picky about who it lets in. It has only about 6% of applicants getting accepted.
The university offers 40 different bachelor’s degrees. Almost all students finish their studies with a graduation rate of 98%.
If you are thinking about going there, you will be in small classes because they have a student-faculty ratio of 5:1. But please keep in mind that the cost is not cheap. You will be paying around $56,010 for tuition and fees.
- Location: Princeton, NJ
- Acceptance rate: 6%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1530-1570 SAT, 34-36 ACT
4. Duke University
Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina. It is a medium-sized private university with around 6,883 undergraduate students. It is quite selective.
The university has only about 6% of applicants being accepted. It is not cheap. The tuition and fees will cost you around $58,085.
The university offers a wide range of 68 bachelor’s degrees. The students here successfully finish their studies with a graduation rate of 96%. In classes, you will have close interaction with professors since the student-faculty ratio is 6:1.
- Location: Durham, NC
- Acceptance rate: 6%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1490-1570 SAT, 33-35 ACT
5. Brown University
Brown University had a record number of applicants this year. It makes their acceptance rate incredibly low at 5%.
When Brown reviews your application, they look at everything you have done in high school, both inside and outside the classroom. Your activities beyond academics are really important at Brown, so make sure to highlight them.
Brown wants students who will succeed in their community and add something special to it. So, when you are writing your essays and going through interviews, show them why you would be a great fit for their academic environment.
- Location: Providence, RI
- Acceptance rate: 5%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1460-1550 SAT, 33-35 ACT
6. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is known for its cutting-edge research. It has an acceptance rate of 5% for the class of 2026. Out of over 37,000 applicants, only 1,876 got accepted.
During the admissions process, the University of Chicago considers various factors. They look at your high school grades, recommendations from teachers, and essays. You can also choose to submit a two-minute video about yourself to make your application stand out.
The University of Chicago doesn’t require SAT/ACT scores. But if you have taken the tests and want to share your scores, you can do that too.
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Acceptance rate: 5%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1500-1570 SAT, 34-36 ACT
7. Yale University
Yale is known for being super tough to get into. It has a 5.00% acceptance rate for the class of 2026. That is a bit higher than last year’s 4.62% acceptance rate.
When Yale looks at your application, they are interested in two main things: how you can contribute to their community and how you will make the most of what the school offers.
While they do consider stuff outside of academics, it is still really competitive. They want to see that you have what it takes to excel in classes. They pay close attention to your grades, test scores, and how challenging your courses are.
- Location: New Haven, CT
- Acceptance rate: 5%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1520-1580 SAT, 34-36 ACT
8. Stanford University
Stanford University is super competitive. It only lets in about 4 out of every 100 applicants for the class of 2025.
When it comes to getting into Stanford, your grades matter the most. But they also care about other stuff like what you do outside of class and what you write in your essays. It is a chance for you to show off who you are and what makes you special.
- Location: Stanford, CA
- Acceptance rate: 4%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1470-1570 SAT, 34-35 ACT
9. MIT
MIT is a top-notch technical school. It has an incredibly low acceptance rate of 4.00% for the class of 2026. That is just a slight bump from the previous year.
When MIT looks at your application, they want to see if you are a good fit for their community. Of course, they still care about your grades and test scores, but they are not the only things that matter.
MIT likes students who work well with others and are willing to help out their classmates. So, if you are comfortable collaborating and taking on challenges together, MIT might be the right place for you.
At MIT, they value students who are not afraid to take risks and learn from their mistakes.
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Acceptance rate: 4%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1530-1570 SAT, 34-36 ACT
10. Columbia University
Columbia University is super tough to get into. It has only 4% of applicants making it for the class of 2026. This rate has not changed from the previous year.
When Columbia looks at applications, they look at everything about you, not just grades. They want to know about your experiences, background, and how you have done in school.
Besides your grades, they also care about what classes you took and how challenging they were. They also look at what you did outside of class, like clubs or sports, and what others say about you in their recommendation letters.
Your involvement in activities tells Columbia how you will add to their community. So, make sure to show them what you’ve been up to!
- Location: New York City, NY
- Acceptance rate: 4%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1500-1570 SAT, 33-35 ACT
11. California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology is super picky. It only lets in about 3 out of every 100 applicants for the class of 2026. That is even fewer than last year when they accepted around 4 out of every 100.
If you are into science and engineering, especially math, chemistry, and physics, Caltech might be your dream school. They like students who are collaborative, creative, and can bounce back from tough situations.
But it is not all about STEM. Caltech also likes it when you have hobbies and passions outside of science and math. They want students who can bring something extra to the table.
- Location: Pasadena, CA
- Acceptance rate: 3%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1530-1580 SAT, 35-36 ACT
12. Harvard University
Harvard is an Ivy League college. It accepted only 3% of first-year applicants for the class of 2026, admitting even fewer students than the previous year.
When Harvard decides on admissions, they look at you as a whole person. They want to know about your character and academic potential. They carefully review your application to understand your interests, background, and talents outside of academics.
Harvard values letters of recommendation, interviews, and extracurricular activities. These help them identify exceptional students.
- Location: Cambridge, MA
- Acceptance rate: 3%
- Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1520-1580 SAT, 34-36 ACT
13. Minerva University
Minerva University is based in San Francisco. It is known for its project-based curriculum aimed at grooming future leaders. It is the toughest school to get into, with only 208 out of 20,816 applicants making it in for the class of 2026.
Even the Ivy League schools are not as hard to get into compared to Minerva. They look closely at your academic records and exam scores to assess your performance.
To apply, you will need to complete some online challenges. These challenges test your thinking skills and language abilities. They are timed but don’t worry, you don’t need to prepare in advance.
Once you are accepted, you will have the chance to study in different countries over your four years at Minerva.
- Location: San Francisco, CA
- Acceptance rate: 1%
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the number 1 hardest college to get into?
According to the data from the U.S. Department of Education as per the acceptance rates and SAT/ACT scores from various colleges, Harvard University is the hardest college to get into.
2. What is the least accepted college?
Minerva University has the lowest admission rate for the class of 2026, at just 1%. For the incoming class of 2026, only 208 students are accepted out of nearly 20,816 applicants.
3. Which is the World’s No.1 college?
MIT is known as one of the top-ranked in the world. It aims to offer the best research programs to students. Some of its highly regarded graduate schools include the Sloan School of Management and the School of Engineering.
4. What GPA is required to get into Harvard University?
To get into Harvard University, you will need a high GPA. It is typically between 3.9 to 4.1. To achieve such a GPA, it means you have to be at the top of your class.
Conclusion
The hardest colleges to get into in the US say they are the best for many reasons. Whether it is because they are super exclusive. They are in a great location. They offer tough academics. But at the same time, they are very expensive.
These colleges have strong alumni networks spread all over the world. But, these hardest colleges teach us that getting in is not just about having good grades and test scores. It is more about how talented of a person you are outside schools and colleges.
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