In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) admitted only a small share of its enormous applicant pool, with an acceptance rate hovering around 9%. That statistic alone highlights just how selective the process has become. But an acceptance rate by itself doesn’t explain very much. How exactly is that number calculated? UCLA does release some admissions information, but understanding what it actually means requires a closer look at the data behind the headline figures. Each year, we analyze these numbers carefully so students can approach competitive admissions with clearer expectations and a well-considered strategy.
Carnegie Mellon Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, Carnegie Mellon University admitted only a small portion of its applicant pool, 11.7%, continuing its reputation as one of the most selective STEM-forward institutions in the country. But a single acceptance rate doesn’t tell you very much on its own. How is that number actually generated? And what pressures are tightening it year after year? CMU does publish some admissions data, but making sense of it requires a more careful, analytical pass. That’s exactly why we unpack this data annually – to help students approach competitive admissions with realism, clarity, and intention.
Notre Dame Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, the University of Notre Dame admitted a much smaller share of applicants than many families expect – 11.3%. And that number is only going down over time. If your mental image of Notre Dame is shaped by how accessible it felt a generation ago, that number can shock parents, but like a lot of schools, ND has become much more competitive over time. But an acceptance rate alone doesn’t explain what’s really going on, or how Notre Dame arrived at this level of selectivity. While the university does publish some admissions data, understanding the why behind the numbers takes a closer look and a bit of analysis. That’s exactly why we break this data down each year – to help students see the full landscape and build a strategy that reflects today’s reality for students, not the reputation parents might remember.
What to Do if You’re Waitlisted by Northwestern University 2026
Northwestern University has been logging record low acceptance rates most years over at least the past decade. As the acceptance rate creeps downwards, the university has become increasingly sought after. It’s the same exceptional education — of course — just more selective. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 dipped below 7%.
Physics Extracurricular Activity Strategy for Juniors
Physics is serious science, seriously. Most students take one physics class in high school, and then move on to, well, anything but physics. This isn’t because physics isn’t interesting — it undeniably is — but it is hard and studying physics early requires that you are a self-starter. There aren’t often many options for exploring it in a structured classroom setting while in high school. This means that high school students interested in a physics major in college tend to have heavily explored physics beyond the courses offered.
Rice (George R. Brown School of Engineering) Undergrad Admissions Strategy
Contrary to Beyonce, this is Texas, and if you are looking for a great engineering school in the Lone Star State, Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering should be on your list. Located in Houston, TX, this private research university is an excellent choice for students interested in STEM. Rice is especially known for its great science programs, and one of its most popular majors is Mechanical Engineering. Rice doesn’t publish a separate acceptance rate for Brown, but their overall acceptance rate is around 8%. That number is probably lower for popular majors like the ones offered by Brown. Either way 8% is a highly competitive rate, and if you hope to get into Rice, you need to be a top candidate. But how? We are glad you asked! There are a couple of steps you need to take if you want to be a great Rice applicant.
College Visit Guide for Juniors
You are a junior, and this is your moment. You probably already know this, but junior year matters a lot. Your grades need to be at the highest they’ve ever been, and you are studying hard for the SAT or ACT, and likely taking one of those a few times. College conversations are amplifying in volume at school, and it’s likely that you are hearing from a school counselor, parents, and peers that you need to buckle down and figure out your path.
UT Austin (Cockrell School of Engineering) Undergrad Admissions Strategy
The University of Texas at Austin (usually just called UT Austin) is one of the most popular public research universities in America. On top of this, engineering majors through the Cockrell School of Engineering are among the most popular majors offered. What does this mean for hopeful engineers trying to be Longhorns? Well, it means you have to be an elite candidate.
Notre Dame Engineering Undergrad Admissions Strategy
The University of Notre Dame (usually just called Notre Dame but technically named The University of Notre Dame du Lac) is a private Catholic research university. Located in the aptly named Notre Dame, Indiana, the university is made up of seven schools and colleges, one of which is the College of Engineering. If you are dreaming of being a Notre Dame engineer, you need to be a competitive applicant. While Notre Dame doesn’t release a separate acceptance rate for their engineering school, the overall acceptance rate was just 11% last year. This is a very competitive rate, meaning if you hope to get into Notre Dame, you need to be a top candidate. Luckily, we have some tips to help you build a Notre Dame-worthy application.
University of Texas (UT) Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, UT Austin reported an acceptance rate of 26.6%. But a single percentage doesn’t actually explain very much on its own. How is that figure calculated? And what forces keep pushing it lower over time? While UT releases some admissions information publicly, getting a real sense of what’s happening requires a closer, more intentional look. That’s exactly why we break down this data every year – to help students approach competitive admissions with clear expectations, practical insight, and a smart plan.
Barnard Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, Barnard College reported an acceptance rate of 8.84%, marking one of the most selective years in the school’s history. But a single percentage only tells us so much. How is that number calculated? And what’s actually driving it? While schools like Barnard do release some of the data behind their admissions outcomes, understanding the real story requires digging deeper. We analyze admissions data from highly selective colleges each year to help our students understand the landscape and position themselves as strategically as possible.
University of Michigan Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, the University of Michigan had an acceptance rate of 15.6%, underscoring just how competitive the process has become. But a single acceptance-rate figure doesn’t tell you very much on its own. How is that percentage determined? What forces are pushing it up or down each year? Michigan does publish some admissions information, but gaining real insight requires a deeper analysis. That kind of careful, data-driven analysis is exactly what we do annually to help students approach selective admissions with clarity, realism, and a well-built strategy.
Rice Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, Rice University posted an acceptance rate of 7.99%, one of their lowest ever. But that headline number doesn’t really tell the whole story. How is that percentage calculated? And what trends drive it downward year after year? While Rice does make portions of its admissions data public, truly understanding what’s going on requires a deeper dive. Each year, we analyze this underlying data to help students approach selective admissions with clarity, pragmatism, and a smart strategy.
Boston College Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, Boston College admitted 16.2% of applicants. For families who remember BC as a far more accessible option decades ago, that number can feel jarring. But a single percentage doesn’t really explain how selective Boston College has become, or why. While BC does release some admissions information publicly, understanding what’s actually driving these outcomes requires a little bit more analysis and, yes, even some math (women in STEM!!). Each year, we break down this data so students can see the full picture and approach the process with clearer expectations and a smarter strategy.
Georgetown Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, Georgetown University admitted only a small fraction of its applicants, with an acceptance rate of 12.9%. That headline figure alone, though, doesn’t tell you very much. Where does that number come from? And what factors are actually shaping it? While Georgetown does release portions of its admissions data, understanding what’s really happening requires a closer, more nuanced look. Each year, we analyze admissions data from highly selective institutions to help students better understand the landscape and make smarter, more informed decisions.
Vanderbilt Engineering Undergrad Admissions Strategy
Vanderbilt is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. The school is popular for many reasons, from its economic majors to medical research to sports. It is also home to the oldest and largest private engineering school in the South: the Vanderbilt School of Engineering. Since 1879, Vanderbilt has been offering impressive programs for hopeful engineers. Vanderbilt doesn’t publish a separate acceptance rate for their engineering school. We would guess it is similar (or possibly slightly lower) to the overall acceptance rate, which means it is incredibly competitive. Last year, their overall acceptance rate was about 5.8%. This is a highly competitive rate, meaning that if you are serious about Vanderbilt, you must be a top candidate. There are a couple of steps you need to take to be a competitive applicant to Vanderbilt Engineering. Thankfully, we are here to break them down.
What to Do if You’re Waitlisted by Swarthmore 2026
Swarthmore is small and tight-knit. They are very careful about who they let in not just academically, but also culturally. This drives down the acceptance rate, and the Swarthmore acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was only around 8% when you average out the higher Early Decision rate of admission and the much lower Regular Decision acceptance rate.
Vanderbilt Admissions Statistics 2025
During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, Vanderbilt University reported an acceptance rate of 5,86%, their lowest ever and firmly placing it among the most selective universities in the country. Not a shocker it’s considered the Ivy of the South! But that top-line statistic doesn’t explain much on its own. How is that number determined? What forces are pushing it lower each year? While Vanderbilt shares some admissions data publicly, getting real clarity requires peeling back another layer (okay, onion!). We do deep-dives into the raw admissions data annually to help students approach highly selective admissions with realistic expectations and intentional strategy.
What to Do if You’re Waitlisted by Northeastern 2026
Northeastern is a prestigious private research university, and they receive about 100,000 applications for first-year admission each year. The first-year acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 on the flagship Boston campus was 5.6%, a jump of half a percentage point from the previous year.
What to Do if You’re Waitlisted by Johns Hopkins 2026
Johns Hopkins University is a highly-respective and equally selective private research university that has soared in selectiveness in recent years. Most recently, for the Class of 2029, the first-year acceptance rate was a little over 4%.