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Colleges in America

2018 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in AmericaAbout this List

Explore the hardest colleges to get into ranking based on acceptance rates and SAT/ACT test scores using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Compare the most selective colleges with the lowest acceptance rates and highest SAT/ACT test scores. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Hardest to Get Into
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  1. Harvard University

    • 4 Year
    • Cambridge, MA
    • 645
    1 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Alum: Harvard University offers the most incredible experience for its students. From the rich history to the esteemed faculty to the vibrant atmosphere of Harvard Square, it is truly one of a kind and inspiring. During my time at Harvard, I got to dance to Gangnam Style with Psy, read a Gutenberg Bible, study and work under my hero, perform fMRIs, and eat brunch in what is essentially the Great Hall of Hogwarts. I cannot begin to tell you the opportunities available here nor what you will learn from working and studying alongside people from all over the world. Harvard also tries to promote diversity further by offering a needs-blind application process and a financial aid package that guarantees you will not have to turn down your acceptance due to financial hardship! Harvard truly takes care of its students, giving them every opportunity imaginable and giving them an experience they will never forget.
    Read 645 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 5% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,205 Net Price
    • 1430-1600 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. Stanford University

    • 4 Year
    • Stanford, CA
    • 1,112
    2 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: Stanford is a beautiful, welcoming place where everyone is welcome! There is an overwhelming sense of community to be found by anyone from any background, and academics are challenging and prepare you for anything you may want to pursue after college. The atmosphere and school spirit are always lively, and it's an overall great place to be.
    Read 1,112 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 5% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,695 Net Price
    • 1380-1580 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Yale University

    • 4 Year
    • New Haven, CT
    • 936
    3 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Works Here: Yale is a highly diverse university with exceptionally friendly and helpful faculty, staff, and students. The food is beyond exceptional, taking sustainability, food waste, health, and nutrition in mind when it comes to every dish. I'm always learning new things each time I step foot on campus. I can't say enough about this place!
    Read 936 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 6% Acceptance Rate
    • $18,319 Net Price
    • 1420-1600 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • Cambridge, MA
    • 596
    4 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Niche User: There were some crucial facts about MIT which made me to apply to it. Here are they:
    1. My first choice is chemical engineering and I always adored to conduct researches in laboratories. Therefore, when I applied to colleges first of all I looked if they have a good undergraduate research opportunities. In MIT with the help UROP I could start researching even from freshman class.
    2. Its pass no record style of educating freshmen. There is no grading in the first semester. Instead, one gets "Pass" or "Fail" in his or her transcript. It allows students not to stress too much on grades, but explore the university and majors.
    3. Of course it is the best university in the field of chemical engineering. Top notch professors, smart peers and the best laboratories makes MIT unique.
    4. It's financially available for all international students. MIT's need blind policy makes it affordable for all who want to attend it.

    I hope it helps!
    Read 596 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 8% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,576 Net Price
    • 1460-1590 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. California Institute of Technology

    • 4 Year
    • Pasadena, CA
    • 107
    5 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: As a freshman in the second term, the experience here has been pretty positive. The coursework is definitely challenging, but it keeps me motivated to pursue higher goals. I am extremely grateful for finding such a like-minded community of scholars who are supportive and caring.
    Read 107 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 8% Acceptance Rate
    • $26,839 Net Price
    • 1510-1600 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Princeton University

    • 4 Year
    • Princeton, NJ
    • 393
    6 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: In my experience, which has only been one semester, Princeton is a wonderful place. It has comfortable dorms, beautiful study spaces, delicious food and amazing professors. I am pursuing a BA degree rather than a BSE, and I was able to take a wide range of classes that I enjoyed. There are endless oppportunities for extra cirriculars. It is however, a stressful environment depending on how many things you decide to take on, in addition to the pressure of going to such a prestigious institution with students that have the same goals of achievement.
    Read 393 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 7% Acceptance Rate
    • $17,732 Net Price
    • 1400-1590 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. University of Chicago

    • 4 Year
    • Chicago, IL
    • 1,121
    7 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    College Sophomore: My experience at UChicago so far has been wonderful! There is such a variety of courses to choose from, and so many interesting majors are available. All of the courses are respectable and worth taking. The professors and TA's are all very experienced in their fields, and are very passionate about what they're teaching. The Core classes are usually taught in lecture halls, but also have classes periods that are broken up into smaller groups (during discussion). Other classes can have as few as five students, like my Yucatec Maya class, which allows students to have awesome conversations with their professors and TA's.
    Read 1,121 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 8% Acceptance Rate
    • $31,068 Net Price
    • 1450-1600 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. Columbia University

    • 4 Year
    • New York, NY
    • 1,114
    8 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Alum: I have found my experience at Columbia to have been one of endless discovery. In this review I will focus on the Core Curriculum, which all students in the College and the School of Engineering take in one way or another. Although there is a valid claim to the antiquity of the texts themselves, Columbia's teaching and discursive methodology is second-to-none. The way I see it, there is universal value in being well-read; it is a prerequisite for engaging with the world in meaningful terms outside of what one might experience through their personal spheres. Even those who may oppose aspects of the Core -- as I have at times -- have plenty of options to respond creatively. The curriculum may appear rigid at first, but as Columbia teaches us, knowledge at face-value is nothing gained. The Core Curriculum was the most flexible aspect of my education, because there was always the lingering question of how I would bend it towards my will in hopes of doing good for this world.
    Read 1,114 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 7% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,973 Net Price
    • 1410-1590 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  11. Vanderbilt University

    • 4 Year
    • Nashville, TN
    • 1,181
    9 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Sophomore: Vanderbilt is an excellent place to continue your education. It is easy to find your place at this school because the environment is amazingly friendly and welcoming. Greek life is huge here and many people get involved. The weather is usually mild and the faculty is great. The food is ranked in the country, and as a sophomore, I still enjoy it. Anchor Down! This school is not without flaws, however. The campus is pretty divided racially. There is no malice, but it is clear that intermingling between races only truly occurs in the classroom. That is one thing this school could improve.
    Read 1,181 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 11% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,150 Net Price
    • 1420-1590 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  13. Brown University

    • 4 Year
    • Providence, RI
    • 933
    10 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Sophomore: Brown University is an amazing place to go for undergrad. There's simply nowhere else that I'd rather spend four years learning and growing as a person. The open curriculum allows for lots of exploration and risk-taking in the classroom, and this culture bleeds into student life as well. The environment here is very relaxed and collaborative, and the students here are kind, accepting, and fun. And coming from a SoCal kid, the weather isn't even that bad! I've only been at Brown for one year, but I'm so glad I made the choice to come here when I was deciding between colleges last April.
    Read 933 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $25,264 Net Price
    • 1370-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. University of Pennsylvania

    • 4 Year
    • Philadelphia, PA
    • 1,138
    11 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Senior: I loved the academics. The academics were challenging, and I had to grow comfortable with not getting A's like I did in high school. The professors were very engaged and wanted to see their students do well. I was also a varsity athlete and found the facilities to be amazing! I joined greek life and found it to be very rewarding. The greek life at Penn is much more laid back than some other schools. I had work study jobs throughout my time at Penn, which I found enabled me to get a handle on the work world while also pursuing my studies and academics.
    Read 1,138 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,944 Net Price
    • 1380-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  15. Duke University

    • 4 Year
    • Durham, NC
    • 1,027
    12 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: If you aren't entirely decided on what you want to study, or want to combine two fields that don't seem to fit, Duke is the best school available to you. The flexible pathway through Duke is one of its best features, and it guarantees there's something academic for nearly everyone here. Not to mention everything that goes on outside of academics. Whether you're a performance artist, coder, engineer, service-learner, researcher, intense athlete, or a just for fun one, there's a place for you here. If you're anything at all, and looking to challenge yourself, then come to Duke!
    Read 1,027 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 11% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,950 Net Price
    • 1380-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  17. Dartmouth College

    • 4 Year
    • Hanover, NH
    • 667
    13 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: Dartmouth is simply wonderful. It has such a wonderfully cozy and collaborative atmosphere, which combined with the unparalleled focus on undergraduate students makes it the best college there is. The only thing people should be aware of is that there will be a large number of wealthy students, so be prepared to face some new socioeconomic diversity. Overall, it is such a safe and fun college set in a beautiful part of the country!
    Read 667 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 11% Acceptance Rate
    • $21,177 Net Price
    • 1350-1560 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  18. Harvey Mudd College

    • 4 Year
    • Claremont, CA
    • 128
    14 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: Overall, it's a great education. No matter your grades, it will not be hard to find a job as a HMC graduate. However, core is hard, there are issues with diversity and mental health, and people are overworked and often, very unhappy. It's a four-year intensive boot-camp that will break you down.
    Read 128 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 13% Acceptance Rate
    • $35,460 Net Price
    • 1420-1580 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  19. Pomona College

    • 4 Year
    • Claremont, CA
    • 360
    15 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Alum: Pomona is amazing. The student body is diverse, talented, intellectually engaged & brilliant.

    The professors are even better. After Pomona I studied at Columbia University and the University of California at Berkeley earning a PhD and two Masters degrees along the way. Still, my classes at Pomona blew all the other ones through the roof.

    Beautiful campus, great weather, fun and philosophizing -- at the library, the dorms or the keg party.

    And I haven't even gotten to Ski-Beach Day yet!
    Read 360 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $18,140 Net Price
    • 1340-1540 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  20. Northwestern University

    • 4 Year
    • Evanston, IL
    • 1,280
    16 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Alum: I attended Northwestern because of the music program and the professor I would be working with. My professor was amazing, and so was the music program as a whole. I was able to pursue a double major with an outside field, and while it was difficult and busy, the administration helped me every quarter by allowing me to take extra classes to finish on time. The campus is beautiful, but there is always construction. It is not a huge party school, but there are parties and lots of other ways to have fun. I loved the proximity to Chicago and the public transit system. Overall, I liked the student body. There was a general hard work ethic, and though my majors weren't particularly competitive, I know there were some that were fairly cut-throat. The mental health services can be improved upon, but I felt that NU was a very accepting, diverse, and progressive school overall. Financial aid was great, and getting better!
    Read 1,280 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 11% Acceptance Rate
    • $29,326 Net Price
    • 1400-1560 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  21. Rice University

    • 4 Year
    • Houston, TX
    • 998
    17 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Sophomore: Rice is incredible. The people are so friendly and collaborative, and the residential college system gives you an automatic support system and built-in friends/family. While people are smart, the atmosphere is close-knit and not cutthroat, which I've come to realize is hugely important when I hear my friends at other top universities talk about the pressure and competition they suffer through. The academics aren't easy- especially the STEM programs, which are structured to be some of the most rigorous in the country, but that's why we have such a good reputation and ease with post-graduation placements. Compared to other colleges, there's a lot of freedom with social life/partying and distribution requirements. Overall, the campus is beautiful and quality of life (dorms/food/area) very high. I love Rice and wouldn't go anywhere else!
    Read 998 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 15% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,061 Net Price
    • 1410-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  23. Johns Hopkins University

    • 4 Year
    • Baltimore, MD
    • 1,203
    18 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: Hopkins has a beautiful cohesive campus and great facilities. Freshman housing is standard, no frills. The FFC dining hall food is actually decent catering to a wide variety of diets. The library is very nice with study environments for different occasions including dead silent reading rooms, cubicles, and group study rooms that can be reserved ahead of time. Because it is always poppin' even on weekends, this can become problematic especially during finals week as students struggle to find a nice quiet study space. Students here are smart quirky, and down to earth. Many many premeds. Although social scene isn't great, nightlife is there for those who seek it. The work is challenging but the atmosphere here is not "cut throat" contrary to popular belief. Overall I have enjoyed my experiences here making meaningful friendships with students who are talented, driven, and genuinely passionate about what they are studying.
    Read 1,203 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 13% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,352 Net Price
    • 1400-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  24. Swarthmore College

    • 4 Year
    • Swarthmore, PA
    • 386
    19 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: One semester into Swarthmore and I feel as if I am a completely different person. I have just grown so much here and been forced to think in ways that are much different than the ways high school necessitated from me. I discovered that I am actually more of an extrovert and less of an introvert; This epiphany dawned upon me after the realization that I could, at Swarthmore, engage in deep and lengthy conversations with other students. While individual achievement was emphasized at my High School, I've managed to develop new networking skills with the principle of never working alone and achieving together. Another thing that stands out about my experience at Swarthmore is that I haven't had the chance yet to operate once again under a cynical mindset, everybody is so nice here. I've learned to trust people again!
    Read 386 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 13% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,641 Net Price
    • 1305-1530 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  25. Claremont McKenna College

    • 4 Year
    • Claremont, CA
    • 410
    20 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: Where do I begin, I have so much to say about how much I love this school. When I first came to Claremont McKenna, I feared that it would be difficult to make friends as it is such a small school. However, the first day shocked me completely. Everyone was so freaking nice, like unbelievably nice. In the last 3 months of being here, I know about 250/360 kids in my class, and of course a lot of upperclassmen. The party scene here is exactly what I want from a school ,inclusivity, but everyone definitely shares a work hard, play hard mentality. We know how to party, but we also know how to be the scholarly students we got in here for being. The party scene truly is spectacular. The dining hall food is amazing. Sports teams are great as 1/3 of the student body participates in sports There are pretty much a million ways to get involved on campus. I want to continue rambling about how much I love it here, but I also have an econ quiz tomorrow, but I hope that helps. S'GO STAGTHENAS!
    Read 410 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 9% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,527 Net Price
    • 1320-1490 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  26. Washington University in St. Louis

    • 4 Year
    • Saint Louis, MO
    • 1,373
    21 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Graduate Student: First and foremost everyone is committed to ensuring that the students receive all the support to achieve their goals. The case based studying for the MBA's helps students to deal with real issues that happen at the work place. This helps you as a student to gain the skills and confidence address issues facing firms today.
    There is also a great opportunity to network and build lasting professional and personal relationships. In a world where relationships is the only currency that has no diminishing returns, it's a privilege to find an institution that has an ongoing and organized way to network and build lasting relationships.
    At Washu, you learn how to work in teams. Everyone spends the first year of school working in a group of not less than five people.
    Lastly WashU has-the Saturday program that allows working students to attend classes on Saturdays which helps them to spend less time in school and still manage to work and start families for those willing to do so.
    Read 1,373 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,824 Net Price
    • 1400-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  27. Cornell University

    • 4 Year
    • Ithaca, NY
    • 1,771
    22 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Alum: Below are 3 things I consider Cornell as a great investment.
    1. reputation
    Every people, including people at work, recognizes me as a "smart Cornell girl"
    2. Food
    Food in Cornell is very delicious. It is just like a buffet! Compared to all other school cafeterias I have visited, I think Cornell has one of the best campus foods in the United States.
    3. Friends / Networks
    Of course friends and networks are the most important above all. Because it is a private Ivy-league school, all smart and mostly above middle class students gather around school networks, which I assume will be very powerful for future career.
    Read 1,771 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 14% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,014 Net Price
    • 1330-1530 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  30. Amherst College

    • 4 Year
    • Amherst, MA
    • 262
    23 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Sophomore: Amherst is simply an amazing institution. The student body here is top notch academically, yet friendly, not cutthroat. The professors are genuinely available, almost 24/7, and have an interest in seeing their students succeed. Make no mistake, the academic environment is rigorous - for the most part the student body is made of of academic "1%-ers," and the pace and expectation is what you'd expect from that.
    The town of Amherst is a quintessential beautiful Northeastern college town.
    People are super successful coming out of Amherst. The acceptances to top medical, law and other graduate schools each year is mind-blowing. Same with people going into finance/Wall Street.
    All in all, Amherst is a magical place to spend 4 years!
    Read 262 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 14% Acceptance Rate
    • $19,055 Net Price
    • 1360-1555 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  31. Bowdoin College

    • 4 Year
    • Brunswick, ME
    • 657
    24 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Niche User: I love the fact that Bowdoin is a small, liberal arts college. I am someone who thrives in close teacher-student relationships, and Bowdoin provides me with such an opportunity. Further, the College's emphasizes on career development is really important. For instance, Bowdoin displays fashion shows among students and faculty to learn "what to wear and what not to wear for an interview." Further, even though Bowdoin does not have a Journalism program, they do have an English major, and also the opportunity to create one's own program/major.
    Read 657 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 15% Acceptance Rate
    • $24,888 Net Price
    • 1360-1510 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  32. Tufts University

    • 4 Year
    • Medford, MA
    • 876
    25 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

    Freshman: Tufts is an amazing school! The intellectual environment is extremely is stimulative. The Professors are very passionate about what they teach and are open to helping any of their students. The food is good too! Students are generally friendly depending on the crowd you hang out with. The political environment is one of liberalism. I love this school and would attend it again when given the chance. There is diversity in terms of the many people from different backgrounds and categories. The surrounding area is beautiful! The school is not called the "Light on the Hill" for no reason
    Read 876 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Academics
    • 14% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,076 Net Price
    • 1370-1520 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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2018 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America